Do I have to use both return holes?

[CON CAC]

I just bought a tank with 2 return holes

I have MP40s and another jebao SLW 20 on a 40 gallon long/35 inch length with a 2K gallon/hour DC pump.

Im not concerned about water flow.

I dont HAVE to use both returns holes do I?

I dont see the reason why we need to use both holes. We're just bringing water up to the tank.

Please educate me if I'm missing any points.

Thanks!

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Nothing is set in stone, do what you want. I haven’t seen two return outlets on a 40 long before but I haven’t looked at one in years. As long as you have one return discharge, a drain to the sump, and an overflow to the sump you’re good. Now that I said that, I don’t know if you’re running a herbie/bean animal/durso setup?

 

[KrisReef]

People use two returns to improve water surface disruptions and to instigate water movement around the tank. If you have two return pumps having them on different returns makes it easier to troubleshoot when one fails.

You don’t need two and there are no civil laws that mandate two or even one, as far as I know.

 

[CON CAC]

Nothing is set in stone, do what you want. I haven’t seen two return outlets on a 40 long before but I haven’t looked at one in years. As long as you have one return discharge, a drain to the sump, and an overflow to the sump you’re good. Now that I said that, I don’t know if you’re running a herbie/bean animal/durso setup?

Thanks for the response.

I'm running a herbie. First time ever doing it. Ive always ran bean animal on all of my previous tanks.

Even my current 25 gallon tank has a bean animal. All 1 inch drains. Overkill.

I've been looking at a few builds for this tank. They seem to use both return holes.

and also in this thread

Build Thread - Innovative Marine 40L EXT Build - New Reefer

Starting a new build thread, as my previous plan was to go with an AIO configuration (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/innovative-marine-40l-aio-new-reefer-build.964711/ ), however, after deciding I’d like to have a sump w. refugium, I have opted for the IM 40L EXT build. Tank arrived today...

www.reef2reef.com

I think I'm going to plug up the extra hole. Less worries that way.

 

[CON CAC]

People use two returns to improve water surface disruptions and to instigate water movement around the tank. If you have two return pumps having them on different returns makes it easier to troubleshoot when one fails.

You don’t need two and there are no civil laws that mandate two or even one, as far as I know.

Thank you for your response!

Perfect.

On my 225 I used both return holes with out even thinking about questioning why I was doing it.

Now that I'm a few tanks wiser or dumber haha, I had to ask lol.

Thanks again!

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Thanks for the response.

I'm running a herbie. First time ever doing it. Ive always ran bean animal on all of my previous tanks.

Even my current 25 gallon tank has a bean animal. All 1 inch drains. Overkill.

I've been looking at a few builds for this tank. They seem to use both return holes.


View attachment 3129837

and also in this thread

Build Thread - Innovative Marine 40L EXT Build - New Reefer

Starting a new build thread, as my previous plan was to go with an AIO configuration (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/innovative-marine-40l-aio-new-reefer-build.964711/ ), however, after deciding I’d like to have a sump w. refugium, I have opted for the IM 40L EXT build. Tank arrived today...

www.reef2reef.com

I think I'm going to plug up the extra hole. Less worries that way.

Gotcha, like mentioned above redundancy with two pumps is an option. If you run uv you could plumb that to discharge in the other hole. I’m guessing some may only use the return for flow and not run powerheads depending on what they have in the tank. In any case it’s nice to have more options than less! I know I could always use an extra return outlet in the display for something. Good luck with the new setup!

 

[CON CAC]

Gotcha, like mentioned above redundancy with two pumps is an option. If you run uv you could plumb that to discharge in the other hole. I’m guessing some may only use the return for flow and not run powerheads depending on what they have in the tank. In any case it’s nice to have more options than less! I know I could always use an extra return outlet in the display for something. Good luck with the new setup!

Dang

Thats actually a great idea to run the UV to that other return hole. I might consider that!

Right now the UV output dumps back into the skimmer section.

Thanks for the ideas and feedback!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just bought a tank with 2 return holes

I have MP40s and another jebao SLW 20 on a 40 gallon long/35 inch length with a 2K gallon/hour DC pump.

Im not concerned about water flow.

I dont HAVE to use both returns holes do I?

I dont see the reason why we need to use both holes. We're just bringing water up to the tank.

Please educate me if I'm missing any points.

Thanks!

Please post pics of what you are referring to

 

[CON CAC]

Please post pics of what you are referring to

I want to plug up one of the return holes and just use the one right above the return pump.

One of my pals said that I may have dead zones in regards to the water on the surface.

Still contemplating my move.

I really dont want to plumb a line across the tank

 

[N1tew0lf1212]

Please post pics of what you are referring to

They did it is a few posts up

 

[vetteguy53081]

They did it is a few posts up

When i originally looked I saw none- see them now

 

[vetteguy53081]

View attachment 3130787
I want to plug up one of the return holes and just use the one right above the return pump.

One of my pals said that I may have dead zones in regards to the water on the surface.

Still contemplating my move.

I really dont want to plumb a line across the tank

Its a nice layout

 

[N1tew0lf1212]

View attachment 3130787
I want to plug up one of the return holes and just use the one right above the return pump.

One of my pals said that I may have dead zones in regards to the water on the surface.

Still contemplating my move.

I really dont want to plumb a line across the tank

Completely up to you on how you do it....to each there own....the way i see it is the hole is already there might as well take advantage of it...but doesnt mean you have to. I run dual returns on my setups with having adequate flow with wavemakers even without the returns. I am able to dial the wavemakers down quite a bit which could help with longevity of the wave pumps but honestly who knows. I would just go with the duals but if your not wanting to due to the extra pvc running across the tank then plug the bulkhead and call it that

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Dang

Thats actually a great idea to run the UV to that other return hole. I might consider that!

Right now the UV output dumps back into the skimmer section.

Thanks for the ideas and feedback!

Sounds like you’re getting a good plan together. Don’t know if you’ve ever used or heard of the vca rfg, random flow generator, but they actually work great as replacements for standard return nozzles.

 

[Subsea]

I just bought a tank with 2 return holes

I have MP40s and another jebao SLW 20 on a 40 gallon long/35 inch length with a 2K gallon/hour DC pump.

Im not concerned about water flow.

I dont HAVE to use both returns holes do I?

I dont see the reason why we need to use both holes. We're just bringing water up to the tank.

Please educate me if I'm missing any points.

Thanks!

When you say you are not concerned about water flow, what exactly are you keeping in this tank?

 

[CON CAC]

When you say you are not concerned about water flow, what exactly are you keeping in this tank?

Great question

Just Zoas, shrooms, euphyllias, acans, other LPS and a couple of easy SPS like montis, setosas.

for now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Sounds like you’re getting a good plan together. Don’t know if you’ve ever used or heard of the vca rfg, random flow generator, but they actually work great as replacements for standard return nozzles.

Vac are awesome. I have two and they pressed into place and are strong

 

[CON CAC]

Ok guys

I will listen to your guys’ advice and tee off a like to the 2nd hole

After plumbing the 1st hole while doing a water test in the garage, I realized that I might as well run the 2nd hole so I won’t ever regret it. Lol

Thanks again for all the professional advice!