Return Flow

[Austin Byers]

I have a 30 gallon tank that isn’t drilled for an overflow or return and it’s been running for about 8 months now. I’m tired of the HOB filter and refugium so I just want to upgrade to a sump. The overflow is the easy part but I’m not exactly sure the best way to get water back into the tank. Any suggestions? Should I just use loc line and pvc pipe?

 

[99Problems]

That's what I do.

 

[Silver14SS]

You can either run the return over the edge of the tank or drill return holes for bulkheads for the pvc and loc line.

My preference is the bulkheads, looks cleaner to me.

 

[Variant]

Use as little loc line as possible...

I went from having no low line to just two small connector pieces, not even using a nozzle and it reduced my flow rate by 16%.

 

[Austin Byers]

You can either run the return over the edge of the tank or drill return holes for bulkheads for the pvc and loc line.

My preference is the bulkheads, looks cleaner to me.

I’m leaving the tank up so I can’t drill holes

 

[Entz]

On my old tank I ran the pipes over the edge worked great. 2 90's with a spacer held it just fine then into whatever you want. Put in a small hole for backup siphon break. The only thing to keep in mind is if you have a lid it will need to be modified or if your thinking of getting a mesh one kit one, you need extra parts..

 

[Austin Byers]

On my old tank I ran the pipes over the edge worked great. 2 90's with a spacer held it just fine then into whatever you want. Put in a small hole for backup siphon break. The only thing to keep in mind is if you have a lid it will need to be modified or if your thinking of getting a mesh one kit one, you need extra parts..

That’s another question I had. What was the best way to make sure the siphon didn’t break and if it does something that will restart it?

 

[Entz]

That’s another question I had. What was the best way to make sure the siphon didn’t break and if it does something that will restart it?

I only did that on the return so breaking the siphon is what you want. I had the nozzles near the top (good for surface agitation) and drilled a hold in it so that if for some reason it stayed below it would break the siphon.

Overflow side you need to either drill or have a reliable U tube. Eshopps makes a nice one, however I eventually started to lose sleep over not having a "backup/emergency" and drilled the tank.

 

[Austin Byers]

I only did that on the return so breaking the siphon is what you want. I had the nozzles near the top (good for surface agitation) and drilled a hold in it so that if for some reason it stayed below it would break the siphon.

Overflow side you need to either drill or have a reliable U tube. Eshopps makes a nice one, however I eventually started to lose sleep over not having a "backup/emergency" and drilled the tank.

With water still in it?

 

[Entz]

No. That is just asking for issues. I drained it and removed everything. Put the rocks in the old saltwater in a plastic tubs with a powerhead, Fish and inverts lived in 10g (my QT tank). Was a good excuse to clean everything. Then put it back. Whole process took less than a day. This was on a 30G tank so it was pretty quick.

However I also had very few large corals at that point, so it wasn't a huge issue. If you have a covered rocks it may be.