Return Plumbing over back of tank

[BIGD0G]

I have been looking at the idea of doing my return line over the back of the tank. It would be in the middle of the tank which I am sure is fine. I mocked up how the fittings would be going over the back rim of the tank. Any reason something like what is in these pictures would not work?

The way it is angled the only part below the water line in the black lockline section. The 45 is angled just a bit to keep it out of the water. Since the lockline fittings will not be that deep in the tank I do not think I will need any holes to break the suction as my sump should hold it all but I thought I would drill 1 or 2 in the bottom of the one of the lockline fittings closer to the connection to the pvc as extra insurance.

Any issues doing a return like this or anything I should change?

Thanks in advance.

[uncleof6]

No offense intended at all, just illustrative: Other than the loc-line, which is a childs toy? Not a thing wrong with that set up. Still, depending on which pump you are using, bigger lines would be better, and loc-line kills the flow due to restriction, and are pretty much useless as return through them will only penetrate several inches into the tank. You need powerheads to keep the tank mixed. The return plumbing cannot do that.

[BattleAthletics]

I could not agree more

[BIGD0G]

Thanks for the replies. No offense taken. Just trying to understand the best practices for this without reinventing the wheel. I am not married to loc-line fittings at all they came with the tank. I am using a little giant pump for the return. Just looking to flow about 3-5 times the tank volume through the sump and will powerheads in the tank for circulation. According to the head loss calculator the little giant pump should flow about 740GPH which will be plenty of water through the sump.

That said if the loc-lines are not good what is the best way to for over the top of the tank? I am using 1" pipe from the pump to the top of the tank. Should I not use anything on the pipe and let it flow unrestricted back to the tank via a single open 1" pipe? Should I tee off the 1" pipe at the top of the tank and 2 3/4" lines fowing in the tank. Do I need to restrict them in any way or leave them open for max flow?

What is the best way to do this?

Thanks.

[mcgyvr]

no restrictions is the goal..

Just up, over, and into the water with PVC.. elbows/t's,etc.. can be used but realize each will cause a flow restriction.

Don't forget multiple siphon holes just below the water line to prevent back siphon in the event of a power loss.

[SGT_York]

to help improve the flow I added 6 locklines, not really necessary but I am able to eliminate all the deadspots that my powerheads don't cover. The lockline closest to the return line is pointed at the water level to add surface disruption and break the backsiphon during powerouts.

Add a T or X fitting to add more lines without significantly reducing flow.

Adding a plain 90 works well too.

[BIGD0G]

Thanks mcgyvr and SGT_York. In that case I will just keep it as open as possible to allow as much flow as possible then. Since the loc-lines came with the tank seemed like a good choice to use to be able to direct the flow later and they are black so the would not stick out like white PVC. I will go with open PVC lines for now knowing when I get rock in the tank I may need to change it a bit to direct flow as needed.

Also searched and found Fusion Krylon paint is safe to use to paint the PVC fitting in the tank so will likely go that route for now.

Thanks for the help.

[Da Maui life]

My return line up and over all 1" I think it's hard to make any return line this size look sexy, but I do agree lineloc is restrictive.
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p89/mauilife/2013-09-19130827-1_zpscee1dc14.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2013-09-19130827-1_zpscee1dc14.jpg"/></a>

[ca1ore]

Unless you are relying on the return (from the sump?) to provide a material portion of your in-tank flow, then I would simply use a pair of elbows (preferably black PVC) to direct water back into the tank with minimum head/resistance. When I have done this in the past, I actually just direct the flow down behind my rockwork.

[BIGD0G]

Unless you are relying on the return (from the sump?) to provide a material portion of your in-tank flow, then I would simply use a pair of elbows (preferably black PVC) to direct water back into the tank with minimum head/resistance. When I have done this in the past, I actually just direct the flow down behind my rockwork.

Thanks for the help. I do not plan to rely on the return pump for flow in the tank. I will use powerheads in the tank for that. So this return will be used simply to flow water through the sump. As such having few retrictions makes sense and is now the plan. I will come up the back over the tank and tee from there to a couple elbows pointing into the tank.

Glad I asked about the correct way. Thanks everyone for the help.

[uncleof6]

Thanks for the help. I do not plan to rely on the return pump for flow in the tank. I will use powerheads in the tank for that. So this return will be used simply to flow water through the sump. As such having few retrictions makes sense and is now the plan. I will come up the back over the tank and tee from there to a couple elbows pointing into the tank.

Glad I asked about the correct way. Thanks everyone for the help.

The tee will be a huge restriction as well. Single outlet allows highest flow. Do not underestimate the importance of the return flow, and do not over estimate the importance of in tank circulation. You cannot make up for, augment, or replace the former with the latter. The current concepts concerning this topic were born from mis-understanding the purpose of each, and a compulsive adherence to under-gravel filter plate flow rate "rules of thumb," rationalized into saving money on electricity.

[animalkingdom]

I like using street elbows for over the top returns. much thinner and cleaner looking. maybe I can take a pic of mine when i get home

[BattleAthletics]

I used to use 45s on my plumbing when I had a 55g. 90s restricted a lot of my flow.

[chiefifd]

Does anyone have any more photos of an over the tank return? I have a 1 inch return line coming from a Eheim 1262 pump in my sump. I'm thinking of teeing the 1 inch return line with 2 (3/4 inch) elbows and emptying into the tank.
My slot only acrylic tank restricts the size of the PCV pipe dumping into the tank. I'd love to simply make a U with the 1 inch PVC but the slot isn't quite big enough. Has anyone split their return line like this?
I know this thread is a little old,but I really don't want to rout out the slot in my tank.
Thanks for any and all help.

[BIGD0G]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/zuvezy8e.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/ranudu6a.jpg

Here are a couple pics of what I ended up with. In the tank I ended up with a tee then yep 45s angled down/forward in the tank. 1" all the way. Great flow in my tank.

[BIGD0G]

Here are a couple pics from the front of the tank with water now. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/etysu4u6.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/byhugypa.jpg

[chiefifd]

Thanks BIGDOG, exactly what I'm was looking to do. Just wondering if there was much resistance with the 3/4 inch outlets. Sounds like there isn't any.
Thanks Again........

[chiefifd]

Oop's bad english.....it was a Quick reply......

[BIGD0G]

If your return is 1" then I would stay 1" to the exit of the pipe for two reasons. 1. Higher flow with less resistance. 2. Going to 3/4" may increase the pressure coming out if the pipe like a spray nozzle on a water hose. This has the potential to move your sand around.

One other note the tee itself and 45s are not glued to allow adjustments if needed. They fit very tight with the paint have never moved let alone fallen off but in the unlikely event they do no problem because the 90 that the tee connects to is pointed straight down into the tank and is just below the waterline with the tee off.

[4Hummer]

Thought I'd share how I secured the return Plumbing:

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j361/4hummer/Salt%20Water%20Aquarium%20Build/Plumbing%20the%20125/IMG_0752_zpsede195a7.jpg (http://s1082.photobucket.com/user/4hummer/media/Salt%20Water%20Aquarium%20Build/Plumbing%20the%20125/IMG_0752_zpsede195a7.jpg.html)

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j361/4hummer/Salt%20Water%20Aquarium%20Build/Plumbing%20the%20125/IMG_0750_zps5f086df8.jpg (http://s1082.photobucket.com/user/4hummer/media/Salt%20Water%20Aquarium%20Build/Plumbing%20the%20125/IMG_0750_zps5f086df8.jpg.html)

Threaded Rod, Pipe Clamp, and I-Beam Holder:

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j361/4hummer/Salt%20Water%20Aquarium%20Build/Plumbing%20the%20125/IMG_0744_zps19d0cafd.jpg (http://s1082.photobucket.com/user/4hummer/media/Salt%20Water%20Aquarium%20Build/Plumbing%20the%20125/IMG_0744_zps19d0cafd.jpg.html)

[Mrramsey]

Here are mine:

http://mramsey.homeip.net/img/reef/bean/IMG_6526.JPG
http://mramsey.homeip.net/img/reef/bean/IMG_6527.JPG

[chiefifd]

Thanks for showing your return lines.....Lots of different ideas for sure! I think I will split my 1 inch return line at the top of the tank with a 1 inch tee then tee off Two 3/4 inch 90 or 45 degree pipes that dump into the tank. Even if I get a little back pressure I think I'll have plenty of flow in my 90 gallon tank. I only have a 4 1/2 foot elevation to pump from sump to tank using a Eheim 1262 pump.