Any reason do have 2 returns.

lpsouth1978 · 01/09/2019, 09:40 AM

I am working on another 40b build and am getting ready to drill it. On my previous build I drilled 2 returns, but was thinking that 1 would be just fine. Other than having more flow options, is there any advantage to having 2 returns instead of just 1?

Vinny Kreyling · 01/09/2019, 11:21 AM

Slower flow from both returns might make a sand bed stay in place.

nereefpat · 01/09/2019, 11:26 AM

If I was doing the overflow in the middle, I would do a return on each side of it....overflow in the corner, one return on the opposite side.

crawlerman · 01/09/2019, 11:35 AM

I don't see any reason for it. If you want flow from more than one output just add a manifold.

ChronicReefH2o · 01/09/2019, 01:02 PM

Honestly, there is no reason for multiple return outlets. Circulation pump are for this purpose to give flow and movements to the tank. The return allows for "Filter" water to be return and your circulation pump to mix things up. and the cycle starts over again

lpsouth1978 · 01/09/2019, 01:04 PM

Thank you all for the responses. I think I am going to just do 1 return. This will simplify the plumbing. I am not worried about the return blowing sand all over since most of the flow in the tank is provided by the wave makers NOT the return.

FullBoreReefer · 01/10/2019, 08:50 PM

For that size tank I’d do one to cut costs.

The tank I just had built I went with two. The tank is 60x36x24 with an internal Modular Marine 36” overflow box centered on the back panel.. I wanted the tank to look symmetrical so I went with one on each side...strictly for looks.

jjencek · 01/10/2019, 10:50 PM

I heard somewhere that people use two as a redundancy - just in case one gets blocked for whatever reason.

Green Chromis · 01/11/2019, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullBoreReefer

For that size tank I’d do one to cut costs.

The tank I just had built I went with two. The tank is 60x36x24 with an internal Modular Marine 36” overflow box centered on the back panel.. I wanted the tank to look symmetrical so I went with one on each side...strictly for looks.

What is the cost difference between one or two returns in a tank that size? I would do two, as it would give better water movement in the tank.

FullBoreReefer · 01/11/2019, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Chromis

What is the cost difference between one or two returns in a tank that size? I would do two, as it would give better water movement in the tank.

Maybe $30-$60 in fittings/bulkheads/loc-line/pipe/etc. Never said it would be a huge savings, but to some people money is money...

Fourstars · 01/11/2019, 04:02 PM

With a 40B only one is needed, most the flow should be from the wavemakers.

lpsouth1978 · 01/14/2019, 12:46 PM

I ended up going with just 1 return and I am happy with that decision so far.

01/09/2019, 09:40 AM	#1
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	Any reason do have 2 returns. I am working on another 40b build and am getting ready to drill it. On my previous build I drilled 2 returns, but was thinking that 1 would be just fine. Other than having more flow options, is there any advantage to having 2 returns instead of just 1? __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

01/09/2019, 11:21 AM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Slower flow from both returns might make a sand bed stay in place. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

01/09/2019, 11:26 AM	#3
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	If I was doing the overflow in the middle, I would do a return on each side of it....overflow in the corner, one return on the opposite side. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/09/2019, 01:04 PM	#6
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	Thank you all for the responses. I think I am going to just do 1 return. This will simplify the plumbing. I am not worried about the return blowing sand all over since most of the flow in the tank is provided by the wave makers NOT the return. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

01/10/2019, 08:50 PM	#7
FullBoreReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 1,862	For that size tank I’d do one to cut costs. The tank I just had built I went with two. The tank is 60x36x24 with an internal Modular Marine 36” overflow box centered on the back panel.. I wanted the tank to look symmetrical so I went with one on each side...strictly for looks. __________________ 60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016.

01/09/2019, 11:35 AM	#4
crawlerman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 503	I don't see any reason for it. If you want flow from more than one output just add a manifold.

01/09/2019, 01:02 PM	#5
ChronicReefH2o Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: South SoCal Posts: 61	Honestly, there is no reason for multiple return outlets. Circulation pump are for this purpose to give flow and movements to the tank. The return allows for "Filter" water to be return and your circulation pump to mix things up. and the cycle starts over again

01/10/2019, 10:50 PM	#8
jjencek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 366	I heard somewhere that people use two as a redundancy - just in case one gets blocked for whatever reason.

01/11/2019, 04:02 PM	#11
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	With a 40B only one is needed, most the flow should be from the wavemakers.

01/14/2019, 12:46 PM	#12
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	I ended up going with just 1 return and I am happy with that decision so far. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump