180g Plumbing/setup Help!

Hello Everyone,

I have a question on the setup of my tank. I have a 180g DT with an internal overflow 2" drain, and 4 1" return holes. I Plan to have a seperate fuge and sump but have them interconnected with a 2" through bulk heads. There are 2 ways i could think of setting it up,

or

I Would greatly appreciate any input, or if you have another design that would be great too, i just want to set this up the best way possible that way i dont have to chage it later.

Thanks,
-Jordan

 

I think both of your plans are too complicated. My basic thinking is to run the least pumps. So one main return pump. Everything has to flow to that.

You want to manage the flow through the fuge. In the first plan you have all the flow running through the fuge. That is a lot of flow. The second splits flow but connects them.

Split your drain with a ball valve going to the fuge so you can set flow appropriately through your fuge. Have it gravity back to the sump.

One thing I considered on my set up was how to tee off. You want your fuge teeing off in a position to know you have a full pipe. Like say if you just tee'ed off in the middle of the drain line, you might not even get flow to your fuge. At best flow would be inconsistent. Just try to get you split at a low level to know you have a full line to play with. Does that make sense?

 

One critique of the second design is that using 2 return pumps I do not think will work. I don't think you'll be able to get the water flow to balance exactly between the two overflows to match each return pump exactly. Every pump is going to be minutely different so they will drift apart over time.

Just to add to Powerman though. Using your return pump for flow in the tank (with multiple returns) is very inefficient because you're fighting gravity the whole way plus return pumps in general just use more electricity and add more heat to the tank than a powerhead. If you do not want to use powerheads in the tank then you might want to look into a closed loop which you can google for or search 3reef I'm sure.

Otherwise it might make more sense to just use one return line just for circulation through the fuge/sump, and then use powerheads in the tank for more circulation. This is most common in the hobby with closed loops being less popular because it requires a lot more tank drilling and is actually still less efficient than powerheads electricity-wise.

Sump info in case it helps:
Melevsreef.com - What is a Sump?

 

In my opinion, those 4 returns should hook up to a manifold, which is in turn hooked up to a gate valve and one return pump. The fuge/sump could be consolidated into one unit, which would take up less space and make it more efficient.

 

It works just fine as long as the fuge and sumps are tied together, water out is water out weather it be by 1 return line or 2. I had 2 different submersible return pumps on my 125's sump before I switched them out for 1 large external.

I also agree the flow through the fuge looks like it will be way too much. Is there any way to convert the separate sump and fuge into 1 large tank in your stand? If so, you could have both overflows flowing into a sump/skimmer chamber followed by a middle return chamber, then a third fuge chamber on the other end being fed by a T'ed off return line or drain. I plan on doing something similar if I can ever convince the fiancee to let me get a 240, and use my current 125 for a sump / fuge

~Will.

 

I took it to mean he was just trying to plumb the sump, not provide all flow from a return pump. I would agree a return pump is not going to give enough flow for a 180, or it will be way too much flow through the sump/fuge.

When you said to use one return line, coupled with the comment above, I hope I you did not mean there is more head with multiple returns. Head is head whether you have 1 return or 100.

 

Woops! I missed the sump/fuge being tied together, that's true that isn't a concern in that picture, my mistake.

About the head loss issue with having 4 returns, you will ultimately get less flow because there is more plumbing involved. Every foot of plumbing, every elbow, etc does add friction and turbulence in the plumbing and thus adds to head loss. Splitting a single return pump into 4 returns does not give you as much flow cumulatively as if you had that same pump was plumbed to a single return.
If you are trying to get rid of a dead spot or something it makes sense to split the return maybe, and there may be other valid reasons to split it. I just wanted to make sure the issue was raised since the OP asked for input and I think saving energy when possible is always a good thing.

Here are a couple references regarding head loss if you're interested:
Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article: Pump Head Loss Calculator - Easing System Design
Advanced Aquarist Feature Article

 

Depends on the pipe sizing. Pipe size and velocity matter in head loss as well. But yes, I agree with your sentiments and point of your post. Added plumbing, added fittings, added cost.

 

I would go with the top draft. but instead of 4 returns I would do just 2 one on both sides of the tank. but you will need a big enough return to make sure you have decent flow. as for how it is plumbed you will have flow loss as stated above with piping sizes and 45s and 90's. you always could go with another pump for a closed loop. if you wanted but I would go external.

 

Wow, thanks for all the great info, i noticed in a couply of replys, refering to 2 overflows. I dont know if this will change any of the advice, but i only have 1 overflow centered on the tank with a 2 inch drain. I was having a hard time following some of the info, a diagram would help me better, thanks again for the advice.

-Jordan