[Guest]

I'm building a diy PVC overflow for my 40g and I was wondering what diameter pipe to use. I have 1/2 inch clean flexible tubing that goes to my sump, but I was wondering should I make the overflow 1/2 inch or make it bigger and have an adapter to the 1/2 inch tubing. Would love some thoughts or pictures.

Thanks

 

[liquid134]

i use a 1/2" pvc overflow on my 30 gallon.... with the 40 gallon... i would probably run 3/4".

 

[Guest]

Alright thanks

 

[mel_cp6]

when building an overflow, you 1st start with the size of your main tank.
then you decide what kind of turnover you want for that tank.
now you can pick a pump that can handle the turnover, then pick the overfow that
is capable of draining more than your pump can return at the
tanks head height

so if you have a 40g tank and you want, let say 10x turnover.
you need a pump capable of 400gph at 5'.
so at 400gph, you will need a drain capable of 500gph.
i think a 1" pvc drain can do 600gh.

hope that helps a little.

 

[Guest]

Sorry I couldn't post a picture. The problem ended up being I needed some silicon it would work for a while but stop. I'm getting silicon tomorrow thanks for the help though. And I ended up going with 3/4 PVC mel_cp6. The flow is enough for me, and thanks for the info on flow rates.

 

[Rhinox]

I have 1/2 inch clean flexible tubing that goes to my sump

Sounds like that is your limiting flow restriction in the drain circuit. I assume you're building something like a durso or one of those weird hang on tank overflow contraptions? If so, using any bigger than 1/2" won't get you any more flow, but I think it is said that for durso style standpipes, using a larger diameter than the drain tubing can make it run quieter.