plumbing my 180 reef ready?

[Mussin 189]

getting ready to run return and drain for my 180. My sump is in the basement with 12.5' head pressure.  I have a Jebao 20000 dcp pump. The returns are 1" and the drains are 1.5" (dual) what size line should I run from my pump up to my returns? Would I need to run both drains back to my sump?

[Muttley000 3,681]

I am a fan of upsizing the return plumbing on long runs to get the max flow and less friction from the plumbing itself, but it does mean more water returning to the sump if the pump is turned off. If you don’t take both drains back individually definitely upsize that too IMO. 

[Dr.Fraggenstien 519]

Usually pump manufacturers will provide an ideal pipe size for maximum head pressure.  I'd look that up and consider going with it.   For dual overflows, I would combine both the drain and returns into one larger pipe going to the basement.  @myreef55 might be able to get you the deets on his similar setup.

[myreef55 47]

I would run (1) 1 1/2” return from the pump and then spit to (2) 1” returns behind the display. I would run minimum  (2) 1 1/2” drains to your basement. I have darn near exact same setup only 150 display. I also have bean animal overflow so I went with (3) 1 1/2” drains. One is completely used A fail safe. If ever want to come check it out let me know.

[Fishoutofwater 330]

I used 1.5” plumbing for both.  My downside was the biggest bulkhead that would fit are 1” on the aqueon tanks. So I used the return bulkheads as emergency overflows and took the returns over the back of the tank.  It’s only choke is the bulkhead but I can get pretty good flow  it will use the emergency’s a little if I crank the cor20 up to max. My sump can’t handle that anyway either.  

[Mussin 189]

On 8/3/2020 at 2:37 PM, myreef55 said:

I would run (1) 1 1/2” return from the pump and then spit to (2) 1” returns behind the display. I would run minimum  (2) 1 1/2” drains to your basement. I have darn near exact same setup only 150 display. I also have bean animal overflow so I went with (3) 1 1/2” drains. One is completely used A fail safe. If ever want to come check it out let me know.

May have to take you up on that..thanks

[Mussin 189]

Should I plumb flex line or hard line right off of the return pump?

[Birdman 112]

8 hours ago, Mussin said:

Should I plumb flex line or hard line right off of the return pump?

I always use flex line 

[Mussin 189]

I'm going to use flex for a foot or 2. Then a union, hard line straight up to the stand then I was thinking of a "y" with flex to each return?

[myreef55 47]

I went with hard pvc for about 4 feet until just below the floor joists then went flex to my display which was again rigid pvc.

[Mussin 189]

Thanks for the pics.. nice set up. Did you move? I don't remember you having a big basement like that. If you are ever in Elida I'd love it if you could swing by and give me some pointers.

[myreef55 47]

Yep. Sold old tank, had a baby, moved to new house and now new setup about 6 months in.

[Mussin 189]

Nice.. life moves at you fast.  Lol