Return line outlet nozzle question

[The Coug]

I’m working on finishing the plumbing on my tank and was hoping for some advice on the return line outlets. I dual have 1 inch return lines each on a separate pump. I want to have minimal plumbing in the tank and was planning on just using the bulkheads without any additional nozzles/loc line. As I look at it I’m now a little concerned that with the level of my lower overflow drains and I’ll get surface splashing if don’t put anything on the bulkhead ends.

I’m also a little worried about my sump overflowing if I add enough water to go up to the second line overflow drains (see pic). The tank is ~200 gallon display, plus a 40 breeder (external refugium/additional rock), UV, and sump 36 gallon in the garage. I’ve tried to calculate all the volume in the lines and it should be good but is still giving me a little anxiety.

I’m not worried about flow in the tank, I have 4 mp40s. I just need the return lines to get the water back to the tank and look nice. I’ve seen some threaded loc-line but not that would fit my 1 inch slip bulkheads.

 

[The Coug]

Here’s a little further out pic of both the sump and refugium.

 

[JumboShrimp]

One advantage of the loc-line is flexibility (no pun). For example, I have mine tilted up right about to the water line; not only does the flow break the surface to provide oxygenation and reduce ‘oil slicks,’ but as soon as there is a pump failure/power outage, the water will only drain back into my sump very slightly. A siphon break will occur very quickly and at the worst, only about a1/4” worth of the DTs water can possibly make it to the sump.

 

[KStatefan]

It looks like the lower edge of your weir is about the same level as the bottom of the bulkhead so it will not change how much drains when the pump is shut off. Unless i am seeing it incorrectly

 

[vetteguy53081]

I personally like loc-line but you can also use random flow generators

 

[DCR]

It depends on your flow rate, but I think your water level is probably going to run pretty low near the middle of the lower slots and you may get some splashing/agitation from the returns. I have put 45 degree elbow fittings (with a short pipe length to fit the bulkhead) on the end of bulkheads to direct the flow. You could add an anti-siphon hole to the top of the elbow as well.

You could also just add a 1" slip by 3/4" FNPT reducer bushing to the bulkhead to use a 3/4" Locline, or just replace the bulkheads so that you have threads.

 

[The Coug]

Thanks all!! I was thinking about a 45 angled down, that’s a good idea but a little worried about sand blowing.

With the loc-line, does anyone know if it can be taken apart? The adjusting angle up idea is nice but I’d prefer only 2-3 links if feasible.

I wish they had more larger sizes of loc line, I don’t like having to reduce to 3/4 if don’t have to.

 

[The Coug]

It looks like the lower edge of your weir is about the same level as the bottom of the bulkhead so it will not change how much drains when the pump is shut off. Unless i am seeing it incorrectly

Do you thing I’ll be okay if I just leave the bulkheads open with out fittings?

 

[KStatefan]

Do you thing I’ll be okay if I just leave the bulkheads open with out fittings?

That would depend on the flow and if it worked for your tank but I would not want that big of an open hole. Seems like it would be easy for something to go down it when you shut off the return pump.

I was just talking about the drain back.

 

[The Coug]

That would depend on the flow and if it worked for your tank but I would not want that big of an open hole. Seems like it would be easy for something to go down it when you shut off the return pump.

I was just talking about the drain back.

Oh, that’s a great point! I didn’t think at all about a snail or something getting into their. I need to get some sort of fitting for sure.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Then there is this option, if you want to go this route.

 

[The Coug]

Those do come in the 1 inch size, I’ll probably start there and see if I get too much splashing

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

We offer a in Jumbo Modular hose, similar to Loc-Line bit in a 1in size.

If you can swap out the 1in slip bulkhead for 1in threaded, you could add a the 1in NTP Fitting and a few segments of the 1in hose. That would give you some adjustability.

Jumbo 1in Modular Hose | Vivid Creative Aquatics

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