Bulk head and return pump

[BuDZnSuDS]

I was gunna buy a 1inch bulkhead and drill bit with a pvc pipe overflow. so what size return pump would i need? its a 10gallon sump/fuge project for my 30 gallon fowlr tank. Would 1 inch be to big?
Blake

 

[Reddog170]

A 1 inch would work, that is what i have on my 55 and I use a gen x 6000 return pump. The pump is faster than the overflow but I like it this way i can add top off water to the sump turn down the relief valve and top off the display tank without disturbing anything. If the 1 inch is to big for yours you can always put in a valve to slow it down, you will want a valve in it any way. I know this is why my entire dining room and kitchen got mopped at 2 in the morning.

 

[BuDZnSuDS]

Yeah i was going to put a valve on it but where and how do i put it on the pvc i really want to get this right the first time cuz my tank in on a upper floor that is carpeted and dont wanna owe anyone money for floor damage lol.

 

[Reddog170]

I put mine right above the sump, easy to get to. I would have preferred the gate valve for this but when I saw the gate valve for $12 and the ball valve for $5 that made up my mind. Orschlens carries both, if I could do it over I would have spent the extra money on the gate valve at the ball valve seems to be getting sticky.

 

[wanareef]

Those ball valves from HD and Lowe's get really hard to turn after a while, that's why I just use true-union ball valves. Eaiser in the long run. You can get some off of Ebay for a decent price.

 

[Varga]

Very true

 

[rmlevasseur]

For what its worth, I think its a terrible idea to have a pump too powerful for your overflow, unless you are bleeding it off any way to fuges, skimmers, etc. I'd also suggest two drains whenever possible.