Return pump and plumbing advice please...

[MarkS]

For my 224 gallon aquarium, I want to use the AmpMaster 3000. I have heard too many good things about it to even consider a different pump for a tank this size.

What I need advice on is the plumbing.

I have yet to drill, so what I need to know is should I:

1.) Go with two 1" drains and two 1" returns?
2.) Go with two 1 1/2" drains and two 1" returns?
3.) Go with two 1" drains with two 1 1/2" returns?
4.) Go with two 1 1/2" drains and two 1 1/2" returns?

Which would you pick? Why?

The returns will be connected to two spray bars that will run from the back of the tank to the front. Each will be 44" long and have holes at 90°, 45° and 0°. This will have water jetting out in this fashion:

--O--
 /|\ 

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

[golfish]

I would go with 5

Three 1.5" drains and two 1" returns. Two of the drains will be for the overflows and one will be for the closed loop.

[MarkS]

Thanks, but I am not planning a closed loop. I know the benefits, but I don't want to buy a second pump.

Mark

[rotorh60]

MarkS,

I would go with 1.5 drains and 1.0 returns. I have 1.0 for both drains and returns on my 225. The two 1 inch returns atually limit the size of my main pump. And I don't have the capacity (flow rate) to handle a surge device. With a 1.5 or possibly larger, say 2.0 drains, then you can increase the size of your pump or maintain a surge device later down the road if need be.

Hindsight is always 20/20, and if I had known then, what I know now, I would have gone with 1.5 drains (minimum). When I get my next tank (400) I will use 2.5 for the drains. The larger the drain, the better the flow. And if you plan on a surge device of any sort, then 2.5 or larger will be needed to handle the increased folw of water.

My tank has been up and running for two years now, and when I break it down to move, then I am going to have my holes re-drilled to handle 1.5 bulkhead fittings, so that I can add 2 small dump buckets.

HTH

[MarkS]

Actually, I am more leaning towards #4. I think that the 1.5" drains are a given, but since the AmpMaster's output is 1.5" I figured I should stick with that. Is there a reason to use a return smaller than the drain? It would seem to do nothing more than reduce the amount of water flow and that is not what I want.

I am also thinking about using this as a test for a Reverse-Carlson surge device that I have been planning. The surge device requires a 3" hole for a 2" bulkhead and that would be very hard to do in glass.

Mark

[MarkS]

Anyone else have any advice? I will go with the 1 1/2" drains, but again, why would I need to go with a smaller return? What harm would it do to use 1 1/2" pipes for the return as apposed to 1"?

I need to drill this before I put on the fiberglass, so I really need a quick answer. I am buying the fiberglass and the rest of the epoxy this Friday. I would like to start fiberglassing (real word??) the tank by Saturday.

Thanks,
Mark

[golfish]

Mark: I ran my Amp Master 3000 with 1.5" returns for a month or so while I was putting together the $$ for the 1" Sea Swirls. The water comes out very very slow and won't give you much of a flow. I'm speaking for the AM3000, The AM4700 will do better but how much I don't know. Here againg in depends on the corals you want to keep. SPS needs lots of flow.....

When I say "flow" I mean more of a force, The 1.5" will do more GPH but its a slower force\flow becasue the pipe is so big....

Mark

[MarkS]

Thanks Mark! That is what I was thinking, but I could not find the answer. I will go with 1" returns.

Mark