600 gallon Acrylic Reef

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I heard that 90 degree PVC elbows will reduce the amount of flow from your pump to the display and increase how hard it has to work (increases the heat output) to get it done. It was suggested that 45 degree elbows would be better. What is your opinion on this? Your plumbing work looks good, and is similar to mine, as far as 90's go but I am thinking that I might try a new technique with the next system.
Mike D

PS I will definitely be going with the 4-way next time rather than the OM squirt. I just do not get enough flow like I would like and I am limited to 1200gph through the chamber.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7058954#post7058954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mdiddy7s
I heard that 90 degree PVC elbows will reduce the amount of flow from your pump to the display and increase how hard it has to work (increases the heat output) to get it done. It was suggested that 45 degree elbows would be better.
Click to expand...

I have also heard that every 90deg you all will add something like a ft of head pressure... So if you have 4ft head with 4x 90's it will equal about 8ft of head pressure...
 
mdiddy, the super squirt can handle up to 2200 GPH...and i think paul was wanting more velocity than volume...45's dont make that much difference, since closed loops have zero head pressure before plumbing them...

i think it would have been harder to plumb with 45's personally, and it seems this undertaking is quite a hurdle...i have always used 90's, but then again, i have always ahd more pump than i needed
 
The premise on this plumbing is to add another pump at a later date. to do that I just open the unions and refit a new half of the union with the new plumbing components.

I wanted to avoid as many 90s as possible, but had to have some unfortunately. Flex pipe is by far the best option.

P.
 
I can't quote the reference, but I did read here on RC that a physics-type guy compared using two 45's vs. one 90 and the 90 actually had less resistance/head pressure.

Plus, it is mildly difficult to work with two 45's over a 90.

Wish I could find the link....so take it FWIW
 
What pump is driving that CL? (my apologies, if you said what it was 45 pages ago...)

IF...if you decide to add the 2nd CL, how would you replumb? Would you also add a 2nd OM4way?

I was mapping out the possibility of using the 8 outlets, driven by 2 OM4way CLs...yet enabling all 8 outlets to be driven by BOTH CLs. In other words, you could disconnect/service one of the CL systems and all 8 outlets would continue to operate.

Or....you could have each CL only connected to 4 outlets.
 
the pump is a sequence 4200

I will simply plumb each side of the tank to a single pump with an OM 4 way. So two outlets on the bottom and 2 on the back per pump.

Paul.
 
Hmm...I was planning on using a Dart for my CL. That 4200 has a lot more muscle. Even then, you are thinking that you might need additional flow. It sounds like I'll certainly be needing 2 CLs.

Your CL inlets were only 1.5", right? If you split them, you have only a single 1.5" inlet to the 2" intake of the 4200. That's not a problem, is it?
 
Im installing a reducer on the outlets (3/4inch) until each outlet is directly connected to the outlet of its own OM. Then each 1 inch outlet of the OM will feed a single 1 inch return to the tank.
 
Its easy enough to drill the back of the tank, even after I add water, to make another inlet for the CL.

Im leaving it as it is for now since I have no idea when I will be adding another CL.

well spotted tho!
P.
 
How about a side shot through the window?;)

It would give a better understanding of how far the returns on the closed loop will come out from under the rocks. Great idea! I love that idea!
 
I added the reducers, flow is up....Im happy(er).

Ill try and get that side shot for you Oldmill.

P.
 
Hey Paul... this is Ronnie, Ill be comin by soon and pickin up some LR from ya... been following this thread... good god I hope u dont move anytime soon! haha! Anyways... lookin forward to seein this monster in person.

p.s. Can i go scuba diving in there when its all done?????
 
Paul,

How did the CL design work out ? The counter clockwise "rolling wave" design, that is. Are you happy with the water flow pattern(s) that it creates ? Thanks.
 
Paul ...Wow your moving right along . We can't wait to see it with sand water and rock...Hopefully sooner than later.
 
The CL works well. I fitted 3/4 reducers on the outputs and that really improved the velocity of the water. It does like I get the rolling of the water.

Having said that, I may just add another pump in the week to really get it going.
 
After all the leak testing and testing of the CL I am now getting ready to add the sand and begin fitting the racks for the rock work....if the tank will ever drain......

I have to fit the final sets of plumbing for the CL outlets instead of the quick fix pieces I currently have. By sunday.....should have sand and half full of SW.

P.
 
It's so sad to be so excited about someone elses tank who lives almost 2 hours away.... :)

But, oh well, woohoo! Good work, Paul.
 
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