Plumbing for flow

[choss]

I am about to plumb the return for my 96 gallon reef. I am using a Varios 6 pump, and I plan to run a manifold off this pump in addition to the return for the tank. The return bulkheads for my tank are 3/4" X2. The Varios 6 can push 1700 GPH. 'd like to maximize my flow and have the following questions:

• The Varios comes with 1 1/4 union for the outflow. Does it matter when I reduce my plumbing down? Am I better off starting with 1 1/4", then reducing down to say 1", then reducing down to 3/4" for the returns and the manifold?
• Should I stay at 1" and "T" off for the manifold and returns, then reduce down?
• I was planning on using a wye check valve on the 3/4" returns. My plan was to install the valve, then split the 3/4" line to feed both 3/4" bulkheads. I figured this way I only have one potential failure point to clean instead of 2.

If none of this matters (as I eventually have to reduce to 3/4" pipe) then I may reuse some plumbing pieces I have and I could run a 3/4" barb right off the Vasios pipe but because in my new setup I am feed a refugium off the manifold I'd prefer to maximize more flow. I was previously running the varios at 100% on the 96 and it was perfect but there were quite a few turns in the plumbing which I plan to eliminate now.

Thanks in advance for advice and feedback. If you have relevant sump plumbing pics to share please do so! I always find this extremely helpful.

 

[1WildBill]

http://gmacreef.com/ Can answer a lot of those questions for you.

 

[choss]

thanks I will check it out.

 

[ca1ore]

None of the newer generation of DC pumps do well against back pressure. Not that a DC pump cannot be designed to handle pressure. My experience with them, and indeed any pump, is that upsizing return pipe makes a big difference to the net flow. I always try to retain the native pipecsize as long as possible - or even go bigger. Dual 3/4 is much less than a single 1 1/4” so it’s going to hurt flow.