180 drain and retrun sizes HELP!!

[180reeftank.]

ok guys i need some input.

i have 180 gallon tank with a 55 gallon sump that i need to drill and plumb.

Can i use same size drain and return? 2x 1 inch drain and 2x 1 inch return i am looking at using a mag 18 pump. i planned to make one drain full siphon.

or should my return be smaller then my drain? i planned to drill the drain onthe back right corner and retrurns on the left back corner to keep water moving.

[Telaverus]

The Mag18 pumps more than your current drains can handle.

Head Height (in feet) Gallons per Hour
0' 1500
1' 1325
3' 1200
5' 1100
7' 1050
10' 875
15' 575
16.85' shutoff

1" drain should only be used for 300gph, you can spec more on a full syphon but it's not good practice IMO.

2 x 1 1/2" drains would be more realistic for your plan and a smaller pump. 1" returns are fine.

It's not always a good idea to have so much turnover. There is a pholosophy that sending more water through your pipes than your skimmer can process is a waste of "energy".

Also, try not to use your return pump to make up for lack of flow in the display. Add a closed loop and a couple of good powerheads. All this depends on your overall stocking plans too though.

[180reeftank.]

thanks for the information/input i will go with 1.5 drains

[davocean]

Agree w/ Telaverus, both my 180's and my present 150 have 2x1.5" drains and 2x 1" returns.
All 3 ran an Eheim 1262 which IMO is perfect.

[madean]

Agree that the size of the pump is overkill. 3-5 times the the tank volume would be a good start to run through your sump. So roughly 600 to 1000 gph ran through your sump is not a bad target. Sounds like you were thinking about using a herbie method for an overflow, which uses a full siphon. I like the method but follow it to a t. Dont deviate or try to use one less pipe for the overflow. It does work and its completely silent. I had a regular overflow of 2 1.5" for about 700 gph. It sounded like a spa in my front room. I took the tabk down and drilled another hole and made it into a herbie overflow and I love it. If your not familiar with this method, look it up. Works great

[aleonn]

I would go with 2 x 1.5" drains minimum for redundancy. For my 180, I ultimately went with 1 x 2" drain, and 1 x 1" emergency drain (Herbie drainpipe overflow).

[180reeftank.]

thanks for the input