If you had to do it over again, would you still incorporate a closed loop, but do some things differently? Or would you just go with vortechs? I am having a hard time deciding on my setup. I have everything for the closed loop and I have always liked them. I have, however, had 1 pump fail on me in the 4 years I have been in the hobby. It was not too bad thank god. Just wondering what you think? I'd love to see some pictures of your tank. When I go to your website, it is dark in your tank! :sad2: It looks beautiful though. Thank you for your help!
Check my reefcam again:
http://www.itaysworld.com/reefcam/hirescam.html
I just repositioned the camera to where it used to be (in the middle of the room - my wife hates it when it's there!)
You should be able to see it quite well. Lights out isn't until 11pm EST, so you should be get a good view!
I think your question is very hard to answer. It's a matter of personal preference, available space, budget and opinion.
I like the clean look of having no powerheads in the tank. There is no arguing with that.
After having the tank up for about 2 years I would say that the added maintenance, troubleshooting and 'noise pollution' would probably lead me to leave out the closed loop next time around.
This tank was my first saltwater tank and my first experience with such a large volume of water. I would probably do most of it the same way except for two things:
1) set up a fish room so that I'm not crammed under the stand for everything and to minimize the number of pumps running near my display tank
2) leave out the closed loop and properly set up water movement with powerheads/waveboxes.
(there was no logic or planning to how I put the vortechs. They are on either side with different patterns causing a general disturbance in the center and water movement for the tank as a whole)
New pictures are overdue. I need to find some time to take them. I promise I will! Stay tuned.
