What size of return pipe do you use?

[Volitan]

Just wondering what size of pipes do you guys (and gals) use for return pipes, and share your knowledge of the consequences of using pipes that are too small or too big.

for sharing.

[Alvin Tan]

i tink the piping size go by mm reading rite??....depends on the pump itself..some require 20mm n some 25mm...

[Volitan]

i tink the piping size go by mm reading rite??....depends on the pump itself..some require 20mm n some 25mm...

Thanks for pointing out. Essentially, 1 inch = 25.4mm (or 25mm according to "pipe industry" ). So basically, 1/2 inch would be 12.5mm, 3/4 inch is 20mm and so on.

[PLataX]

well...generally the bigger the output of your pump/s, the bigger the down pipes.....but generally the tanks i design have at least slightly more than 1X the up pipe/s' diameter.

eg

If i use 2x20mm up pipes, my down pipe choice will be at least a 50mm

[PLataX]

well...generally the bigger the output of your pump/s, the bigger the down pipes.....but generally the tanks i design have at least slightly more than 1X the up pipe/s' diameter.

eg

If i use 2x20mm up pipes, my down pipe choice will be at least a 50mm

[PLataX]

this is to prevent too slow a return, causing an overflow!!!!!

[Volitan]

well...generally the bigger the output of your pump/s, the bigger the down pipes.....but generally the tanks i design have at least slightly more than 1X the up pipe/s' diameter.

eg

If i use 2x20mm up pipes, my down pipe choice will be at least a 50mm

Will there be any impact if I use a reducer from 1" to 3/4" for a return pipe? Would that be considered as 1" or 3/4" return? How do I choose a suitable pump for such pipings?

[shoelevy]

Will there be any impact if I use a reducer from 1" to 3/4" for a return pipe? Would that be considered as 1" or 3/4" return? How do I choose a suitable pump for such pipings?

i believe its considered a 3/4" because the main bulk of the resistance is from teh 3/4"

[mUAr_cHEe]

Volitan,

considering your designed tank size, 25mm aka 1" should be enough.

Personally, I do not think so much that the water going up should have any BIG pipe issue, not that it does not have any.

Look at it this way, the water going up is forced by pump.

But for water coming down, it will ne natural and by gravity, if pipe is too small, the water flow down will not be fast, but if pipe is big, there is more allowance for more water flow.

Get my drift?

[Volitan]

Volitan,

considering your designed tank size, 25mm aka 1" should be enough.

Personally, I do not think so much that the water going up should have any BIG pipe issue, not that it does not have any.

Look at it this way, the water going up is forced by pump.

But for water coming down, it will ne natural and by gravity, if pipe is too small, the water flow down will not be fast, but if pipe is big, there is more allowance for more water flow.

Get my drift?

I know what you mean. Actually I am more concerned of the size of my return pipe, cos I feel that the flow is very weak compared to my previous setup, although the pump is still the same. I think I might have made a mistake in upping the size of the pipe.