Plumbing questions

I think I understand what you are saying about #1. I would keep the drain closer so there is less lateral pipe coming out. This way the water comes into the pvc and straight down into the sump instead of running lateral then down. I hope that makes sense

As for #2 you can support it but I dont really see a problem. Unless you have lots of pvc weight like a basement sump or something then you might want to support it.

 

Find something like this but for PVC

http://www.foxelectricsupply.com/content/products/ProductCatalog.asp?qscategoryId=26189

 

http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/52-342-galvanized-straps-and-hangers.aspx

Second row down. Screw them in until the pipe feels secure.

 

IDK Gered, I would almost favor running the return pipe as close to the back of the tank as possible to avoid excess headpressure on that mag7. I get favoring the drain for a quieter and more efficient discharge, but a mag7 isn't going to overwhelm 2x 1" drains anyways.

I would go with what Gered said IF, you use 45deg elbows to route your plumbing from the return pump, and not a pair of 90deg elbows out of the stand/sump. ie: from the pump, 45deg toward the wall and out the back of the stand, 45deg again directly upward, and T the return directly at the end of the ascent to a pair of 90deg on either side of the T back into the display. Does that make sense? Then yeah, run the drain pipes close to the tank.

as far as support, you can do this many ways, such as Gered linked, there are straps like that, Menards carries PVC conduit (for electrical PVC) straps just like those that are actually PVC or plastic themselves (which is what I've used) That way you avoid corrosion. Second, a drain sock mount is a great utility for media without a reactor, and can provide drain support. Third, consider that your return line should be built such that the pump itself is resting on the floor in the sump, thus alleviating stress of the weight of the return pvc. And the drains could be built such that where the elbow is made into the stand, the pipe between 2 90deg's rests on the rim of the 29 sump. Like Gered said though, I wouldn't worry about it.

Does that make sense?

 

I am curious about something maybe one of yall can sort for me. you have 2 drains and 2 returns running off of a mag 7, will the mag 7 be able to keep up? thats a lot of water coming down into the sump. I have a 90gal with 1 overflow and 1 return with a mag9.5 full bore and it keeps up prefectly, I could of even gone bigger

 

I would not worry how much the mag7 is pushing through the returns. It will do its job just fine because in all reality you are not really looking for flow from your returns. Personally if it was me though I would ditch the mag7 for a maxi-jet utility pump. They are much more efficient and run a lot cooler then mag pumps. Mags are notorious for inefficiency and heat.

 

It will keep up on the basis of the drains will only drain as much water as the mag7 returns.  If anything you have to worry about having to big of a pump and not having the overflows keep up.

 

Yeah, the amount of flow through the drains is directly dictated by the amount of water pumped from the return pump, an oversized pump is all you have to worry about. The drains should always have a breather vent that runs above the surface of the body of water which it is draining, thus providing a siphon break, and quieter operation.

 

This is maxi jet pump I am talking about. They are a utility pump and not your normal maxi jet powerhead.  A plus is these can be run internal or external.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18989
And here is a review of the larger pump which is the one I am running on my 40.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=196202&hl=

 

Oh yeah I forgot they came out with those! lol I think they were just getting them in at Petland when I went on hiatus. I hated the packaging! lol One of those would probably be great, I guess people are using them and liking them? Gered have you had experience with them? Based on specs and looks I would put them +1 above a Rio, but how have they compared to other pumps (such as the Quiet One)?

 

I have run 2 of them. I had a smaller one running the 40 then went to the largest to run multiple tanks back when I had the frag tank attached to the system. I am running the largest pump currently which acts as a return and feeds my external skimmer. I could probably hook up my reactor but keep it separate for cleaning purposes. I will be buying another one when I setup the 120 so I can run it as a dedicated return pump and then run the other pump to run accessories.
Review link also added the post before this. Has some nice pictures of the internals.  I like the impeller style.

 

In my opinion do not restrict one of these pumps with a valve.  This causes more heat and stress on the pump. If anything run an extra line off your return and put a valve on that and you can open it up to dump back into the sump. This way you get the flow you want to the tank and you can use the extra line for water changes.  Just throw a piece of hose on it and pump the water into a bucket or something.

 

Wow, yeah look at that nice flanged top on it, that's pretty nice. Yeah that's a centrifugal impellar, they're more efficient and less abrasive.

 

You should have enough drain, that Mag is only going to pump ~450-500gph at the top, which would be handled almost entirely by a single 1" drain. Two will afford you plenty of draining capacity