Jeepman3sk
New member
Can someone explain to me the difference between a close loop system and a open loop system? Im starting up a new tank and would like to understand the difference. Im trying to decide how im going to set up this tank.
Close loop system a few questions
- Thread starter Jeepman3sk
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http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html
That link shows a simple add-on closed loop and should help answer some questions.
That link shows a simple add-on closed loop and should help answer some questions.
artful-dodger
New member
A closed loop is completely self-contained, not open to the air. It takes water from the tank through a pump and directly back to the tank. (If you shut the power off, no water moves.) The overflow that drains into your sump is "open" to the atmospheric air before a return pump moves it back to the main tank. (When you shut off power, water drains from the display into the sump.)
(There are lots of good threads on closed loops gathered together in a stickied thread near the top of the All Things Salty forum.)
(There are lots of good threads on closed loops gathered together in a stickied thread near the top of the All Things Salty forum.)
Jeepman3sk
New member
Thank you to both I took a look at the link. Maybe Im not asking the right question. I was in my LFS and ther ewas a pump that was not designed to be underwater. In my 75 tank I have a rio 1400 (or something like that not sure of the number) in my sump to pumpt he water back up to the tank. Should I go with the rio pump or should I drill my sump for a out of water pump. Also how loud are those pumps?
There have been reliability questions raised with Rio. In my system I have in sump Mag pumps and also an "outside" Panworld pump for my closed loop. In sump can raise water temp. but I like the contained nature of them. All depends on your needs. If you are really asking about a closed loop then you would not use a submersable pump but I don't think that is what you are asking.
Jeepman3sk
New member
I think I asked the wrong question with the whole closed loop. I was more talking about the pump "outside" the sump. Can anyone tell me anymore information. I have been running my rio for about 7 years now with no problems. SHould I go with the outside put or something like a a rio. This new tank is going in my bed room so noise is an issue.
External pumps can be good quality. If your tank runs at too high a temperature, using an external pump is a fine idea. I prefer to use a submersible, since I spend money heating my tanks and don't have overheating problems. Either way can work well.
I don't know about external pumps and noise.
I don't know about external pumps and noise.
artful-dodger
New member
There are, I think, three reasons for going to an external pump instead of the submersible. 1) the heat transfer already mentioned, 2) the need for lower energy cost for the volume of water to be moved and 3) the need for space within the sump for other equipment or refugium. If none of those apply, keep using what you have!
The noise factor is directly related to the brand/quality of external pump. I have an Iwaki that is completely silent (that is to say, less than the sound of water and fans) with the doors of the stand closed. I have a Sequence Dart for closed loop that pushes 3x the water and is also undetectable.
There are always lots of posts (when Search is available) on pump noise (or lack thereof) Do a search for "pump and quiet" (without typing the quotes) to get lots of opinions.
If you are planning to keep corals, then the extra water flow of a closed loop system can be very helpful. Less demanding corals will get by with the easier and cheaper approach of using powerheads.
The noise factor is directly related to the brand/quality of external pump. I have an Iwaki that is completely silent (that is to say, less than the sound of water and fans) with the doors of the stand closed. I have a Sequence Dart for closed loop that pushes 3x the water and is also undetectable.
There are always lots of posts (when Search is available) on pump noise (or lack thereof) Do a search for "pump and quiet" (without typing the quotes) to get lots of opinions.
If you are planning to keep corals, then the extra water flow of a closed loop system can be very helpful. Less demanding corals will get by with the easier and cheaper approach of using powerheads.
Jeepman3sk
New member
How hard is it to drill a tank? Im looking at a 10g for my sump with the 29g being the show tank. I dont have this tank set up yet. The rio is in my 75g not for this tank but i could . How much should my gph be for this tank. Im going to start picking this stuff up soon. Could someone give me a good suggestion for either a pump for wet and one for dry.
Jeepman3sk
New member
glass tanks are cheaper in price then acrylic so since im in college looks like im going to glass. Should I look for someone to drill it for me or try it myself. The hole is going to be on the side fo the tank not the bottom. Also should I use a bulk head or a over flow box?
