sump plumbing question

[Bryan47]

I am using the Bean Animal overflow which utilizes holes on the drain side.

1 full syphon 2 trickle back up 3 emergency backup

I am sure many of you have used this overflow before. This is for my 40 Gallon Breeder tank which I will use for cuttlefish. When I do my 72 gallon I will
use 1.5 inch bulkheads however on this I followed the diagrams from the Bean Animal site. In the diagram he uses three 1" bulkheads which is the same
size I used. However he uses a 1" to 1.5" increaser and then uses all 1.5" pipe.

I just want to know...Should I use 1.5" pipe or 1" pipe with my 1" bulkhead and why?
I am assuming 1.5" will give more flow but will it be necessary for something as small as a 40 Breeder?

THANK YOU!!!

[mcgyvr]

IMO 1" all the way is sufficient for a 40G or 72G tank..

[pdiehm]

1" bulkheads will do just fine on the 72 gallon.

On my 120 that I'm setting up, I designed it exactly as bean did. 1" bulkheads, and then 1.5" piping.

[SGT_York]

If you are less than 1,200 GPH 1" bulkheads work perfectly, if you are over 2,000 1.5 is probably the safer bet, that said Bean tested his 1" bulkheads up to 3,000 GPH without issue, using 1.5" pipe.

So you are fine using 1" pipe all around (estimating your flow) for a 75" 1.5" pipe is great with 1" bulkheads, but not necessarily a requirement.

[fishgate]

How much size do you lose with the true union ball valves? It was my experience when setting up my last sump that I had to go one size higher on the ball and gate valves and then neck them down with reducers to get a 1" hole with the valve fully opened. With the price of the valves I want to make sure I get this right as well ($20 each).

So
1.65" drilled hole size
1" bulkheads (x3, slip/slip)
1" plumbing pipe/fittings
1.5" true union ball valves (x3, slip/slip)

[nibor75]

You want a gate valve for fine tuning a siphon. Ball valves are better suited for on/off applications. You don't really need any valve at all on the open channel or emergency.

[fishgate]

Originally Posted by nibor75

You want a gate valve for fine tuning a siphon. Ball valves are better suited for on/off applications. You don't really need any valve at all on the open channel or emergency.

??? I think I will go with BeanAnimal's design! Seems to work really well and he recommends a ball valve!

http://www.beananimal.com/projects/s...ow-system.aspx

[nibor75]

Put a post in his thread and I gurantee he recommends a gate valve.

[mmn]

Originally Posted by nibor75

Put a post in his thread and I gurantee he recommends a gate valve.

Some time ago he was recommending against gate valves as I recall because they would possibly clog easier, were more expensive, and the degree of fine tuning was not needed. Most seem to be recommending gates these days.

[Mrramsey]

For as much as I mess (adjust) my BA, which is virtually never, I used ball valves with no ill effects. I will say that the true union ball valves do seem to operate a lot smother than a regular one.