Advice needed: new build

[lvghost]

Hey guys! I wanted ask a quick question to those experienced reefers.

I want to buy a 48 x 24 x 14" (70 gallons) frag tank peninsula style tank with an external overflow. With this sized tank I want to set-up animal bean style drain with 2 returns on each end of the back side. Do you thin 3 x 1.5" drain (3 drains for animal bean style) and 2 x 1" return is overkill? I was originally going to go with 3x 1" drains and 2 x 3/4" returns but can't decide now. I would really appreciate any input, past experiences, or reference you can share. TIA.

 

[joseserrano]

Yes. Thats super overkill. One drain will handle whatever you are pumping through, but its good to have the second as a back up

 

[djrice69]

I also think it is over kill. Plus you will be restricting the drain flow on one of them

 

[lvghost]

joseserrano - Great, I thought that was the case also but wasn't sure. I was going to just run 2 x 1" drains and 2 x 3/4" returns then later I thought it would be nice to have a 3 drains for the animal bean style. I don't want to do any more than what is needed for this tank. Do you think the 3 x 1" drains and 2 x 3/4" returns set-up is okay or would you just stick to the 2 x 1" drains and 2 x 3/4" returns if this was your tank? Thank you.

 

[lvghost]

djrice69 - okay, I see what you mean and that's not something I want to try to avoid. Do you think the 3 x 1" drains and 2 x 3/4" returns is okay for this type of tank or should I just stick to the 2 x 1" drains and 2 x 3/4" return? Thank you.

 

[reefes pieces]

How much flow do you plan on putting through the return pump? I have the ghost overflow on my 150g and plugged the third drain because I thought it was overkill. I'd go with 2 1" drains and 2 3/4" returns. Would be plenty for a 70g tank.