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Need help with plumbing on new tank

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by phishcrazee, Jan 8, 2009.

  1. Jan 8, 2009 #1
    phishcrazee Riverside

    phishcrazee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    So I'm trying to set up my 135g tank now and the plumbing has me confused /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/blink.gif  There is a 75g sump, an external return pump, 2 holes in each of the 2 built in overflows and lots of pvc pipes /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/ermm.gif  I understand that one hole in one return is for the water to go into the sump and one for water to return to the main tank from the sump, but what are the other 2 holes for?  I emailed the gal I bought it from about this, but never heard back, and my husband and dad picked the tank up, but are no help remembering how it was set-up......... any ideas what I should do with those other 2 holes? /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/confused.gif
     
  2. Jan 8, 2009 #2
    slovan

    slovan Experienced Reefkeeper

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    You have dual overflows. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif Typically the two drains run separately into the sump or one feeding an external skimmer. T'ing them together is a bad idea because if it gets clogged after the T, both drains will back up and you will have flooding issues. You will also have two returns for more directional flow. In bigger tanks with dual overflows, 1 output for flow usually isn't enough, thus the reason for two. Plus it will skim the surface of the water better with two overflows. That's my understanding of it. I could be completely wrong though!
     
  3. Jan 8, 2009 #3
    phishcrazee Riverside

    phishcrazee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Ok, so I only have one return pump....... I then need to "T" the pvc in order to have the flow return through the 2 holes? Or do I get another pump? Will there be clogging issues with the return T?
     
  4. Jan 8, 2009 #4
    B-Rad

    B-Rad Inactive User

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    Yes you can put a tee in the main return line to split the return into two returns.

     You can add a second pump if you like but I don't think its necessary.
    you shouldn't have any clogging on the return line, the pump should chew up anything that would be a problem.
    Hope this helps!
    -Rick-
     
  5. Jan 9, 2009 #5
    h2so4hurts

    h2so4hurts Inactive User

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    I like my two pump set-up. I was going to switch to a single mag10, but decided that it'd be better to have one pump as a backup in case the other one fries...
     

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