Mike762 Posted March 21, 2020 Report Share Posted March 21, 2020 Hello, I am in need of the opinions of some experienced tank builders. I am currently working on connecting my new display tank on the main floor to my sump in the basement. The drain and return lines all want to inhabit the area that is roughly 1”-2” from the back surface of the tank and Stand, but that means that they will intersect. So either the drains or the return will have to have a series of 45 degree elbows that will divert them around the space inhabited by the other. My question is this: Is it better to bend the drain lines and risk more trickling noise (avoiding noise is a very high priority for me), or bend the return line(s) and risk adding more head pressure loss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldend Posted March 21, 2020 Report Share Posted March 21, 2020 I would put any bends in the return lines. With the drain being gravity flow you want to keep that as free flowing as possible. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike762 Posted March 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2020 One other thing to consider is that all of these lines have to go through a 4x12 hole in the floor, and they all will have to bend a little. So it’s really a question of whether each group would have one set of bends or two. I suppose that if I used more braided vinyl and less hard pvc This wouldn’t be an issue. I just wanted to avoid as much vinyl as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryansweet Posted March 21, 2020 Report Share Posted March 21, 2020 I’m with Daniel on this one. Keep the drains as clear, open, and straight as you can. Let you pump work a little extra if it has to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYRYFIN Posted March 24, 2020 Report Share Posted March 24, 2020 I am of the other camp, I believe the return should have as few elbows and restrictions as possible. For every one you add the flow is reduced, depending on how much could mandate a larger pump. I try to use sweeping elbows and flexible lines as much as possible to reduce this decrease. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike762 Posted March 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2020 Well, the plumbing is done. I decided to do what was best for the pump and keep those return lines as direct as possible. I’ll be diverting additional pump power through the manifold to power reactors, so I wanted to conserve as many gph as possible for display turn-over. The bends in the drain lines also served to align them with the hole in the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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