Return line as as surface agitation

I would use PVC for either the bend over the edge of the tank, or the whole return, to keep it secured.

 

lol. Many ideas I here for things work great...if you don't have a canopy.

 

Unless it's made of adamantium, the back can be cut or holesaw'd to give you the room you need.

Either through the hood, or through the glass. Your move, Batman.

 

Wooden canopy. But 2 of the 4 sides will be seen. I won't need much support on the back. I need the main support on the ends of the tank, which is where I don't want to see stuff other than my tank itself. No support is neded in the front. lol. I like to make things complicated.

 

I use both my return lines as surface agitation, then I have 4 koralia's for added circulation.

 

Yeah I was going to use either 2 or 3 K. evo 750 powerheads for water flow in addition to this for my surface agitation.

 

Here's a close up.

 

What do you think? I posted this on my local(-ish :-/) forum. They thought it was a good idea, but were concerned about shadows in the water due to the sticking so far across the water. I'm not sure what I think about this, or even how much it would even effect. They also mentioned it being difficult to control the valves(for flow) if under the canopy.Once again, they also suggested using 1/2 inch plumbing instead of 1 inch. I don't know what justified this idea.

I was concerned about flow rate. I have heard(Is this not true?) that the more splits you have in your plumbing(going different directions) & the smaller the size of plumbing, the greater your flow rate will decrease by.

If the above(just the first part) is true, then someone said I should move my plumbing to go directly from the return pump to a manifold, splitting here, rather than above the tank. This making it easier to control.

 

Just get reducer tees, they are out there, put the valves in line or drill 1/4" holes in the line like a spray bar.

 

I can get all the parts at Lowe's. I just wasn't sure on what others had said on my local forum. It seemed like more work than it would be worth.

Also, should I reduce from 1" to 1/2 right when the plumbing reaches the top of the tank? Or use 1" the whole time?