New tank plumbing issue

[d_adler]

I will be running a 80gal display with a 20gal sump.

I knew that the modular marine 800gph overflow comes with 3 drain pipes but what I didn't realize is the bulkhead size for the drains is 1/2inch.

So here goes my questions....

Is 1/2inch big enough?
Do I run all my returns and drains half inch?

Would there be any benefit if I increased the size the pvc to 1" after the 1/2" bulkhead?


This will be my first hard plumb and I would rather not by all the 1/2 inch fittings and pipping just to find out it doesn't work.

Any and all advice is welcomed

 

[needbiggertanks]

Sorry but my underatanding is your flow rate will be the flow rate of the smallest fitting or pipe used. Even if you open it up to 1 inch after it goes through 1/2", youll still only get the max flow of a 1/2" pipe.

Anybody else can correct me, but im fairly certain for that to be true.

I think 1/2" gravity fed is only 420 gph? I would want larger draining than that on an 80 gallon.

 

[d_adler]

Sorry but my underatanding is your flow rate will be the flow rate of the smallest fitting or pipe used. Even if you open it up to 1 inch after it goes through 1/2", youll still only get the max flow of a 1/2" pipe.

Anybody else can correct me, but im fairly certain for that to be true.

I think 1/2" gravity fed is only 420 gph? I would want larger draining than that on an 80 gallon.

Those were my thoughts. So if I did a dual drain of 1/2" pipes I would be looking at 420gph?

 

[d_adler]

The next question is going to be... would it be a good idea to drill my acrylic overflow box to 3/4inch and can you even drill acrylic without cracking it?

 

[needbiggertanks]

Those were my thoughts. So if I did a dual drain of 1/2" pipes I would be looking at 420gph?

Well if you had two 1/2" drains at full syphon you would max at 840 gph (420 each). This is the easy answer tho as it is my understanding elbows would reduce flow some. But that is a number i would feel comfortable with for an 80 gallon.

The problem would come with maintaining both those syphons all the time. Because if both become clogged, your emergency would have to handle the flow of both drains which the third 1/2" bulkhead couldnt do (obviously).

Another thing to look at is the bulkhead

I know people do drill acryllic but i never have. It may be straight forward or may not. Sorry.

I saw this sells for 99.00 on ebay? If i were you, Could you return it and get something with larger bulkheads? I went through this a month ago and went with the reef synergy shadow for 159.00. Im a "nervous nelly" as my wife says so i went all in on my overflow