anyone use sketchup?

[chucklez]

Anyone use the free program sketchup to draw out their upcoming builds? Just curious. had some free time at work and I started planning mine. While it isnt done, I wouldnt mind some feedback. I need to replace the return lines with 1.5" pipe, but you can see where I am coming from. I also need to finish my filtration lines.

orange = CL system
Gray = overflow
Blue = Return
Green = Filtration

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

Looks good. I will try to use it for designing my next build too. I am not the right person to give feedback, but I am impressed with what you have.


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[Pife]

If I was going to run a closed loop I would put it in the bottom of the tank. With that being said I'm assuming the back of your tanks already drilled for one. The new rfg nozzles are pretty slick in creating random flow.

 

[chucklez]

Closed loop pump would be in stand. Only overflow and sump in basement. I'm figuring my ecotech l1 running the cl system in reef crest mode.

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[smoothdog]

Looks good, but have a couple thoughts for you. If at all possible, move the return line so that it goes straight up and does not cross back to the other side of the tank. You are losing a lot of efficiency by adding the extra bends and pipe length. Also, split the return at the top in the middle instead of having it flow in from the end. With the way you have it set up the first outlet will get a ton of flow and the last one will get very little (think of a bucket with several vertical holes, the bottom hole has the most pressure so it flows best).

Are you married to the closed loop? While they work they are just not very efficient and wave pumps do a much better job of creating flow. If you are just looking for a clean look, consider buying or making your own pump rocks like this: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunz...bMJddKrPpBX3rSF3-ag4Swem-uJgevBYaAl9rEALw_wcB

 

[chucklez]

I purchased the tank used and it was already drilled for a CL system. 9 holes in a square pattern. For the return, I was thinking very similar to you. Bringing it up the middle and putting a wye similar to this to branch off to the three returns.

 

[smoothdog]

Gotcha, might as well use it if it's already there. Yeah, the wye would be a much better way to go.

 

[chucklez]

Another thought I just 'thunked. As a lot of PVC dealers online or running Black Friday sales I am probably going to buy the ball valves I need today. Other than the two ball valves for pump isolation on the closed loop system is there really need for me to use a ball valve on the take returns for that? I'm basically wanting the thing to go full blast anyway. Other than the three returns across the top that I will be using ball valves on I don't really think I need them for the closed-loop returns

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[Tigé21v]

Not that I've seen a lot of closed loop systems, but the ones I have, I don't think I've ever seen valves on the individual returns. Just ones to isolate the pump.
That said, somewhere down the road you may wish you had installed them for some reason. Lol

 

[smoothdog]

Another thought I just 'thunked. As a lot of PVC dealers online or running Black Friday sales I am probably going to buy the ball valves I need today. Other than the two ball valves for pump isolation on the closed loop system is there really need for me to use a ball valve on the take returns for that? I'm basically wanting the thing to go full blast anyway. Other than the three returns across the top that I will be using ball valves on I don't really think I need them for the closed-loop returns

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You would only need them on the closed loop if you want to control flow in different zones of the tank.

 

[chucklez]

Ok. Now that house remodel projects are done, getting ready to start this again. had some spare time at work so i finished the setup in sketchup. Thoughts? Ideas?