What size plumbing?
 

Sorry for the total noob question, this is my first time plumbing. I need to buy a holesaw and bulkhead fittings asap here, so I need some quick advice.

The tank is a 24x24x18 cube. Going to have 2 drains and 1 return.

1", or 1 1/2" plumbing?

Thanks,

Jeff

How much GPH are you going to be using is what the deciding factor will be. If it were me I would run 1.5" main with a 1" back up drain.

if you go bigger you can always upgrade flow later if you have to. just my 2 cents.

Chances are you will need a couple different size hole saws and bulkheads as return lines are generally smaller than your drains. Your return line will depend on the size of your return pump outlet. I would think 2 - 1" drains should be enough as you shouldn't need to have more than a few hundred GPH flowing through your sump, based on a 45 gallon display. Any upgrades to flow within the display tank won't effect your overflows.

I agree. I have a 1.5" drain and a 1" return line on my 180gal. I use a mag 12 with around 8-900 gph through the sump.

The bigger the better for both lines, more flow and will allow for future upgrades. If you got the ability to run 1.5" for both, go for it.

The return size depends on the pump, you should find a reccommended size for your particular pump in the user manual. Many manufacturers recommend a pipe size twice the diameter of the in/outputs on the pump. For drains I would use 1". Are you doing Herbie drains?

A single 1" drain is good for ~600gph and a 1.5" for around 1200gph (remembering if planning a Herbie, the second drain is normally dry and only flows in the emergency situation).

If doing a Herbie, me, I'd go 1" return and considering it's a 45g, probably just 2x1" drains if not planning on your return pump contributing significantly to the displays flow. 2x1.5" if you don't mind a bit of flow through your sump.

Quick question, do herbies flow faster then typical drains due to them operating at full syphon?

Does the 600 / 1200 gph hold true?

Quick answers: No to the first, and yes to the second.

Just because it's Herbie doesn't mean it can mysteriously take more flow. the only way it would is if it was overflowing into the emergency drain which totally defeats the purpose of the Herbie. ;)