What size PVC tubing for MagDrive 12?

K

kpatrick

Guest
What is the best size tubing to get for a return line that I will be running off a MagDrive 12? I need to buy some flex tubing and they sell it with a 1/2" id or 1" id?
The flex tubing will be ran from the MagDrive and then connected to normal PVC before it enters into the display tank.
 
grubsnaek

grubsnaek

Active Member
well the thread on a mag12 is 3/4".
so i did 3/4" then increased size to 1".....obviously your starting off with 3/4" and adjust to your return size if its bigger than 3/4"....
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
I am not a plumbing expert so I am just wanting to make sure I am purchasing the correct size since the other website I am purchasing from uses inner diameter in the description. If the inlet is 3/4", is this the correct tubing below?
**3/4 inch I.D. Flexible PVC Pipe 10 Feet Roll**
 
pumper

pumper

Member
There are threads on the mag drive. It probably has a 3/4'' male threaded end on it. It will need a pvc adaptor. Just buy the pump and take it with you to the depot and dry fit all the parts there.... This will be much easier for you since you don't know much about plumbing. Problem solved. And yes, the 3'4 id pipe will work but regardless you are going to have to by a pvc 3/4'' female threaded coupling to attach the pump to the tube.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
3/4" piping is going to restrict a mag 12 pretty significantly, to give an example heres the flow rates with a Mag 12 and 5ft of verticle plumbing using 3/4", 1", and 1.25" ID plumbing.
3/4": 795
1": 928
1.25": 994
I personally wouldn't use anything less than 1" on mag 12.
 
pumper

pumper

Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2863778
3/4" piping is going to restrict a mag 12 pretty significantly, to give an example heres the flow rates with a Mag 12 and 5ft of verticle plumbing using 3/4", 1", and 1.25" ID plumbing.
3/4": 795
1": 928
1.25": 994
I personally wouldn't use anything less than 1" on mag 12.
Ditto, like I said I use 1'' spa flex on my mag 9.5
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
Since the outlet on the Mag 12 is only 3/4", I purchased 3/4" flex tube before reading the comments about using 1" pvc.
Just curious, I need to run a total of about 10 feet of pvc from my sump into the display tank. Will it help the pressure if I just use about 3ft of the 3/4" flex tube to get out of the sump and then increase to the 1" standard pvc to run the remainder of the distance into the tank? Just trying to figure out the best option since I already have the 3/4" flex tubing.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Originally Posted by kpatrick
http:///forum/post/2875939
Since the outlet on the Mag 12 is only 3/4", I purchased 3/4" flex tube before reading the comments about using 1" pvc.
Just curious, I need to run a total of about 10 feet of pvc from my sump into the display tank. Will it help the pressure if I just use about 3ft of the 3/4" flex tube to get out of the sump and then increase to the 1" standard pvc to run the remainder of the distance into the tank? Just trying to figure out the best option since I already have the 3/4" flex tubing.
The pressure will be higher and the flow rate will suffer with the 3/4" even with just the small 3' section.
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
I want to make sure its done properly so I will do away with the 3/4" flex and use standard 1" PVC. I should be able to use several 45 degree connectors instead of 90s' which will help with the flow as well.
Not being a plumbing expert I am still confused about one thing. If the outlet on the Mag Drive 12 is only 3/4" then why would they not make it 1" to maximize the flow? It just seems that the flow wouldnt be much better with the 1" PVC since the outlet on the pump is only 3/4".
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
2- 45's actually have more headloss than a single 90.
The reason for using the larger pipe is that the inside of the pipe causes friction and the smaller the pipe and the longer the length of pipe the higher the friction and the more pressure it takes to move the same volume of water. So when you figure headloss you have to take into account not only the verticle rise of the pipe but also the friction caused by the Length and diameter of the pipe and the number and type of fittings. So by using 1" or larger pipe on the 3/4" outlet of the mag 12 you are reducing the effect of the pipe friction so that the pump only has to contend with the head pressure caused by lifting the water over the side of your tank.
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
Here is a rough draft of what I am trying to do. As you can see there are several 45degree turns in the plans if I can not find 1" flex tube locally. There is 1 line coming out of the sump but there are 2 lines going into the display tank so a "T" is needed which will also slow down the flow. The sump is on the ground next to the display tank.
Hopefully the attachment will show up:
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Unless you really want to run your plumbing that way a 90 doesn't cause a significantly higher amount of restriction than a 45. The difference between using 4-45's or 3 90's is only about 10gph.
I would run your plumbing like this the two squares on the return on each return outlet are valves so that you can balance the flow between the two returns, and where the square is by the return pump is a union for easy removal of the pump for maintenance.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
You could also do it this way and use a "T" at the end of the plumbing and attach a 3/4" locline to each side of the "T" so that you can adjust the direction of the flow.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
You could also do it this way and use a "T" at the end of the plumbing and attach a 3/4" locline to each side of the "T" so that you can adjust the direction of the flow. You would still want the union on the return pump but you could skip the valves on the two returns since the length of pipe on the two exits would be the same.
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
Dont you need a tool for the lock line or can you use the normal PVC glue to connect it to the 1" pcv running off the "T"? Also, will 3/4" lock line connect to 1" PVC?
Thanks for all the help!!!!
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
The tool for locline is to connect the individule segments and I believe you can do it without its just more difficult but I'm not sure since I haven't put locline together before. You will need a 1" to 3/4" PVC bushing to attach the 3/4" locline to the 1" PVC.
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
Good thinking on the union! I just went and purchased the union, 1'' pvc and other parts. I feel better going with the 1" instead of the 3/4". I am still a little confused about the locline.
I will start a new thread and see if anyone has photos of their setup showing how they connect the 3/4" locline to the 1" PVC since I am more of a visual learner. Thanks for the help!
 
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