Do I need a valve on sump plumbing?????

[bignose]

I would recommend having valves on both. Ball valves on return lines and a gate valve on the drain. Controlling both helps for water changes and controlling water flow rates. I close my returns so the tank doesn't drain and I can keep the power heads on while I do water changes.

How is your tank plumbed?

[windcoast reefs]

Im not fully sure what type of system it is called. But I have elbows facing up that attach to the bulk head for the drain and the return. For the Drain it leads into a t joint with a cap on one side with a small hole to stop the gurgling and then drains down to the sump on the other side.

Thanks for the advice, I will put a valve on both the lines.

[Funky_Fish14]

I think putting valves on overflow/drain lines is insane myself. The amount of water that would drain down any one that is properly designed should be miniscule, and obviously a sump should be able to handle it (in the case of a power-outage, etc...). I've seen people make the mistake of closing drain lines and having tanks overflow, or a partly-closed valve just allows opportunity for stuff to clog it. Risky IMO. The only exception is something like a herbie or beananimal overflow... but in those cases you have unobstructed back-up drains.

Just my 2 cents,

Cheers,

Chris

[windcoast reefs]

Okay, well thats a consideration. I can always add the valve later if I need to i guess.

[sphelps]

A valve on the return line for sure but not the drain unless you have two drain pipes in a herbie configuration.

Your drain size is fine

[mark]

with an external return pump handy a valve/union on both sides for servicing

[monocus]

i would probably go with a bigger drain.i'm using a stockman with a 2" drain