Noob needs help?

**moreno50** · 02-21-2012, 6:21 PM

Hello everybody im new to the fourm and also new to the saltwater tank . But my question is this i have a 50 gal tank i wanted to do a Diy pvc overflow but unsure what size to go with to get good gph . Is 3/4 pvc good or should j go bigger please help if you have pictures of uses i would love to see them thanks.

**Khemul** · 02-21-2012, 6:44 PM

Depends on your return pump. Looks up the flow rates of PVC. Then figure out the expected rate of your return pump (don't forget to take into account the height from sump to display). You always want your drain to exceed the capacity of your pump.

**khmerspec** · 02-21-2012, 8:18 PM

I wasn't sure about this either, so I went with 3x 1" pvc. Never hurts to be on the safe side.

**greech** · 02-21-2012, 9:34 PM

The bigger the better when it comes to drains. 1" should be fine but would avoid anything smaller. If you can incorporate 2 drains, even better. Any reason why you're not using an overflow box?

**moreno50** · 02-22-2012, 3:27 AM

Im.not going with a overflow box because moneys a little tight right now. Me and my wife just bought a house and she just gave birth to my baby boy so im trying to to as much diy stuff as possible .

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**greech** · 02-22-2012, 8:54 AM

Understood. I would go with a 1" on that site tank, buy a little larger pump that you think you'll need and put a ball valve in the return line (after the pump's output) to dial in the flow rate. To reduce noice in the drain I would set the flow rate of the return as low as you can and use powerheads to provide the majority of flow in the display.

Is this tank drilled or will the PVC go up and over?