Will this tank have enough flow?

[knightmetro]

I'm looking at picking up a 120G RR from a custom tank company, one that we all know, for a deal good enough I wont talk about.

It's a 120. 48x24x25. Single overflow in the back left. Just 1. I like this setup. Less space taken up, less plumbing. Better looking.

1' drain
3/4 return.

I have a Quiet1 4000 I was given for free that should do. I'm going to put a Dorso standpipe in it and a return pipe.

Now.... what kind of flow can I expect from this and will it be enough? Of course I'll add powerheads.

 

[traylor23]

I'd say you'd realistically get about 750-850gph after headloss if you don't use any 90 deg elbows, but that's most likely going to overburden your overflow which will handle approximately 600gph . You're going to need more flow and a way to divert water. There's lots of ways to do this. Check out melevsreef.com for sump ideas.

If you wanna do it right, get yourself a couple of MP40wES's and be done with it. If that's out of your budget, Drs Foster and Smith have a sale on submersible pumps right now. Just got two of the new MaxiJet 1200's for $40 shipped!

HTH,

Matt

 

[knightmetro]

Wow, great deal on the MJ's.

I'm going to be running flex lines so the only 90 degree bend will be at the top of the return line for the lockline.

 

[dakota9]

Mo Flow!

 

[traylor23]

Yeah...that pump spits out 954gph with no headloss. So it will be too much for your overflow as is, possibility for flooding! Do look at the site I recommended. It will help you dial in that pump for your tank. I would recommend diverting some of the water back into the sump and/or finding something else for it to run through, like a gfo/gac reactor.

Edit:

Dakota9;826806 wrote: Mo Flow!

Thanks for being detailed! :thumbs:

 

[knightmetro]

Could I just add a ball valve to restrict the flow and dial it in?

 

[traylor23]

You don't really want to do that. Too much strain on your pump. It will wear it slap out. Better to install a tee and the put a ball valve off the tee going into another part of your sump.

 

[jbadd99]

traylor23;826811 wrote: You don't really want to do that. Too much strain on your pump. It will wear it slap out. Better to install a tee and the put a ball valve off the tee going into another part of your sump.

From everything I've read, this is a common myth.

I use a ball valve to restrict the flow on my 120g, with a single corner overflow and my Eheim 1262. I do run a t valve off of it for a refugium line, but other than that, I rely on the ball valve to avoid overflowing. No problems yet and 3+ years strong.

I say use a ball valve and go for it.

 

[knightmetro]

I got it for free. It actually came with an adjustable intake but he lost it. So it was meant to have it's intake adjustable.

If I have to replace it later, no big deal.

 

[rdnelson]

I agree that restricting the discharge should not harm the pump at all. It will actually reduce the power consumption a bit but not a lot. Restricting the suction side could cause harm if it were enough to accurate the pump. Using full out put and redirecting some back to the sump has benefits that I like. Either run it thru a fuge or back into the skimmer.

 

[knightmetro]

^^ That's actually sounds like a good idea....

 

[knightmetro]

Since I have to get an overflow kit, I'm def looking at getting the Dorso standpipe. This setup is 15 feet from where I sit to watch TV, so I don't need to listen to fans, gargling, and sperting while I try to enjoy a good movie.

I'm going to go to great lengths to quiet everything BUT I'm not going to try and pull off a bean animal and have to keep my tank 3-5" off the wall because of plumbing.

 

[ichthyoid]

leveldrummer;826822 wrote: i would run 2 drains and run the return over the back. just my 2 cents.

+1

That's a great idea, and what I'm going to do on my 120.

FWIW- those Marineland single overflows are rated for 700 gph.

 

[knightmetro]

So, could I do 2 Durso standpipes in the overflow? One 1" and 1" 3/4 inch.

Then I could run a return to the other side of the tank with a t off inside my sump to flow into my Fuge.

Edit: EDIT: One 1" and one 3/4"

 

[ichthyoid]

Yes to dual durso's, if you like & have room.

Good flow in the tank (~20x's volume +) makes separation of a return & overflow irrelevant.

 

[glxtrix]

The method for the emergency pipe is to not have a durso on it....and most likely, you wont have the room. But the emergency is typically an open straight pipe so if the main drain clogs for some reason, you'll hear the water going down the emergency line...that way you know to fix something.

 

[ichthyoid]

glxtrix;827050 wrote: The method for the emergency pipe is to not have a durso on it....and most likely, you wont have the room. But the emergency is typically an open straight pipe so if the main drain clogs for some reason, you'll hear the water going down the emergency line...that way you know to fix something.

I agree.