Plumbing help

[trigger11]

Total plumbing noob here so bear with me.
I recently purchased a used 200G acrylic tank. It has a center overflow area with 2 holes that are about 3 1/2 inches each. Luckily I was given the bulkheads that go with them. The bulkheads are about 5 1/4 inch all the way across and end up with 2" pipe in the middle.
Here is my question-
I got an ilwaki external pump that is rated at 1100GPH. I plan on coming up through the one bulkhead for the return and then that will tee off and go to each side of the tank with 1" pipe. What size piping should I use? I know I will have to reduce down from the 2" pipe going through the middle of the bulkheads but I dont know how much?

Or how far away from the bulkhead I need to reduce? Seems like that would be a lot of extra water the pump would have to push if it were left at 2" for a long lenth.

Hopefully I made some sense with all of that. I wish I knew more about plumbing so I could ask the right questions. I had a friend that was going to help with this but it doesnt look like he would be able to help for a while and I would like to complete this task so I can get some water in the tank.
~Trigger

 

[devil dog]

If it was me I would do 1 1/2" and then go to your 1" T... you can get reducers at any hardware store. I hope I helped...

 

[trigger11]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog
If it was me I would do 1 1/2" and then go to your 1" T... you can get reducers at any hardware store. I hope I helped...
That sounds like a good idea. So reduce to 1 1/2 right after the bulkhead. leaving enough room on the pipe in case should need to cut it later. Then reduce again to 1" going into the tee. Sounds like I should probably do the same thing for the overflow?

 

[devil dog]

Originally Posted by trigger11
That sounds like a good idea. So reduce to 1 1/2 right after the bulkhead. leaving enough room on the pipe in case should need to cut it later. Then reduce again to 1" going into the tee. Sounds like I should probably do the same thing for the overflow?
The overflow I would leave 2" that way if you want to up your flow later you will be able to...