180 gallon aquarium sump / plumbing.

AquariumHabit

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Hello , new to the forum. I am setting up a 180g freshwater aquarium with two corner flows. Now this is the first sump that I will be doing ( little nervous). I need help with well basically everything related.

Aquarium is 180g (72x24x24) , 2 corner overflows.

Sump is 75g (48x18x21)

I was wondering what size return pump should be used? what size pipes should be used? how should I set up my sump? I was thinking of leaving it simple with filter socks and mesh bags with media thoughts?

Anyone have any good videos for the actual plumbing of the sump to aquarium?

Sorry for all the questions but thanks in advance.
 

AquariumHabit

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Aug 22, 2018
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So I was thinking of doing a Herbie overflow? Would it be possible to run a dual herbie on both corners of the tanp and a return towards the middle of the tank? I was reading somewhere it might be difficult and isnt that good? is this true? I say this because the aquarium has 2 corner overflows with 2 holes in each? or does anyone have a better idea?
 

AquariumHabit

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I guess my first question would be is the best method suited for me to do a the plumbing herbie style given that I have 2 holes in each corner overflow?
 

AquariumHabit

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I think I got it!! How does this sound 2 open drains fully submerged , 1 emergency drain and 1 return.
 

twentyleagues

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This is how mine is setup. 1 emergency and one full syphon in each overflow. Your holes are 1"? Should be. If so 1200gph into the tank is max that is safe to run. Ive got to adjust the gate valve weekly to maintain the correct syphon so water isnt trickling down the emergency drains. Other then that pretty quiet.

My return is over the back in the middle of the tank.
 
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AquariumHabit

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Aug 22, 2018
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This is how mine is setup. 1 emergency and one full syphon in each overflow. Your holes are 1"? Should be. If so 1200gph into the tank is max that is safe to run. Ive got to adjust the gate valve weekly to maintain the correct syphon so water isnt trickling down the emergency drains. Other then that pretty quiet.

My return is over the back in the middle of the tank.
Thank you, perfect I'll do it like that then. That's correct it is 1"

For the return pump does that mean it needs to be 1200 GPH or slightly higher considering you'll lose some?

do you have a thread somewhere or pictures of your set up? cause what is most confusing for me is the plumbing in itself so many different pvc's, shapes and sizes. I see one video where someone uses so many bulkheads and another video where he only uses 4.
 

ragin_cajun

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This is the thread you seek..... https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...e-community-build-thread.423425/#post-5206514

twentyleagues twentyleagues gave you the playbook above. You just need some detail and pics--that's what JC's sa/ce build thread (link above) is for.

Also, of lesser value, this thread has a link to a video I posted showing my sump and drains. https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/sump-design-questions.674547/#post-7579716

If you search around on here, you can find a write up I posted several times explaining different sump designs, pump sizing, why a sump is better than a canister filter for large tanks.
 

twentyleagues

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Thank you, perfect I'll do it like that then. That's correct it is 1"

For the return pump does that mean it needs to be 1200 GPH or slightly higher considering you'll lose some?

do you have a thread somewhere or pictures of your set up? cause what is most confusing for me is the plumbing in itself so many different pvc's, shapes and sizes. I see one video where someone uses so many bulkheads and another video where he only uses 4.
1200gph at the output would be the highest. I have a thread but very little pics of plumbing. ragin_cajun ragin_cajun gots the info! :D
 
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