Hi Paul,
What an amazing and fascinating and most of all BEAUTIFUL build you have documented in this thread... through to the end of its initial lifecycle it would seem. Good luck with the rebuild!
Having only recently stumbled upon this thread, and a) contemplating the use of a closed loop for my own upcoming build (210 - 250g); and b) thinking of trying to mimic tidal flows in my own tank, do you mind if I pose a few questions?
1) Why did you place your 4 holes at the top of your tank and then run pvc down into your tank to connect with your two loops? Why not lower to begin with? Was it for failsafe reasons in case there was a leak? Other reason?
2) What size pvc piping did you use on the loops?
3) What size intake holes to the pumps did you use? I notice that you only used one per pump. Any problem with suction? Most reefers seem to be recommending two inlets per loop to reduce suction.
4) Would you redo the racetrack cycle motion again? Myself, I'm thinking of incorporating such motion, but perhaps with a bit more oppositional flow mixed in... in other words, were I to do an 8 penductor loop as you have, perhaps I'd have 6 going in one direction and two in the other thereby maintaining the general direction of the flow by virtue of the 3 to 1 ratio, but perhaps allowing for a little bit more chaotic action as well. Do you think this would work? Or would it just destroy the racetrack effect?
Thanks for any feedback you could offer. Your tank is an inspiration. Truly.
Nick
