Return Pipework Q

[gloryofthe80s]

Hello all,

Apologies if this is not the right place to post this question, but hopefully someone can help me.

I'm starting to learn how to plumb in a sump, which is all completely new to me, as this is the first time I've had to do this! The aquarium is a custom ClearSeal one, with a central weir. They supplied a supposedly complete kit (which it totally wasn't) which included some 3/4" pipe with plain connectors (I.E. not screw connectors).



I'm pretty sure I can figure out how to plumb in the outlet pipe and overflow pipe in without any problems; however, I am a little unsure of the best way to pumb in the return pipes. Originally we asked for a braceless tank but because of the size, they said they couldn't do this, so they included additional bits of glass to stop the whole thing exploding when full. See pic above.

The problem is, the gap between the half-moon cuts in the weir, designed for the return pipework, and the glass brace itself is about an inch and a half. Using a 3/4" PVC elbow connector there only just fits. See pics below for an idea of what I am talking about.




A potential solution I considered was using some flexi-hose to loop over the top and come back down into the tank (even though it looks rubbish) to connect to the return nozzles. But in deciding this looked a bit pants, I decided I wanted to be able to use solid PVC pipework which I can then attach to maybe some LocLine. So my question is, what is the best way of doing this? Is there any way to perhaps reduce from 3/4" pipe to 1/2" pipe to make the fit a little better?

Also, the weir has 3 drilled holes (see below) meaning that I either have to figure out a way of fitting in a T-Bar junction around the overflow pipe, or, I just have the return pipe come back into one side of the tank and then use a strategically placed powerhead to prevent any dead spots on the opposing side of the tank. I really hope this all makes sense?



Any recommendations on layout and parts would be great. Or better yet, if there are any plumbers in the Bristol area that can help, that would be awesome! lol

Cheers,
Andy

 

[saltwater60]

I’d have two overflows Incase one gets plugged and do one return line with powerheads and wave makers. I always did flexiline with a return line. It’s just easier and no 90 degree turns to lower the flow.

simple and easy. Do a T on the overflow box and split it to both sides. Coral one algae will cover these and you’ll likely won’t even notice them.
U-Tube with Directional Return - Marine Depot

 

[gloryofthe80s]

I’d have two overflows Incase one gets plugged and do one return line with powerheads and wave makers. I always did flexiline with a return line. It’s just easier and no 90 degree turns to lower the flow.

simple and easy. Do a T on the overflow box and split it to both sides. Coral one algae will cover these and you’ll likely won’t even notice them.
U-Tube with Directional Return - Marine Depot

Forgive my ignorance, but how would you achieve 2 overflows if there are only 3 drilled holes?

I think my plan is to have the standard 'downpipe', an overflow with a durso kit, and then the return pipe.

I decided to go with LocLine to return to the tank.

 

[saltwater60]

If you’re doing a downpipe and a Durso overflow you should have a redundant overflow anyway.
How Durso, Herbie, and Bean Animal Overflows Work - Marine Depot Blog

 

[gloryofthe80s]

If you’re doing a downpipe and a Durso overflow you should have a redundant overflow anyway.
How Durso, Herbie, and Bean Animal Overflows Work - Marine Depot Blog

I'm still not sure I'm understanding. If you have 3 drilled holes: one normal downflow, one emergency pipe and then one for the return, where is the additional pipe going?

 

[Rcslade124]

I would do a bean animal style drain. And drill a hole in the back for return line. With bean animal you have a syphon line secondary line and a emergency drain. If you drill in the top in the middle of the drain and then have returns go in the half moons.

 

[Rcslade124]

Like this use locline to get flexibility