Closed Loop For Large Tank

[IFbettas]

Hi everyone! I finally have the chance to set up a larger tank, but now I am wondering how I am going to have enough flow for sps in it. The tank is going to be 96"x36"x24" and will hold about 360 gallons. I don't have the money for vortechs/tunzes at this time so I am thinking about a closed loop. I do have a bunch of koralias for supplemental flow though.

I am thinking about using a Reeflo Dart (3600 gph) on a closed loop to provide a good amount of flow in the tank. My questions are how many and what size of intakes/outputs would be required/suggested for the Dart and would it put out enough flow to get the water moving in the display? Thank you!

 

[bhammer]

The Dart requires a 2" input and 1.5" output. I use a Hammehead on my 280 and I like it. It requires 1.5" for both. It does draw more current, and is a bit noiser but it gives me the option for more outlets.

 

[IFbettas]

Thanks for your reply. How many outputs would you use with a Dart vs. a Hammerhead. I want there to be a good amount of water coming out of each output. Seeing as the hammerhead does not cost that much more it is an option too.

 

[JimmyK]

I have dart on my 120 48x24x24. I have (2) 2' bulkheads that feed the pump and then have (4) 3/4" returns that go over the top of the tank. After a few months I added a Vortech. I do not get near enough flow just from my Dart. Without the Vortech I would have needed another Dart or move up to the Hammerhead. Can never get enough flow IMO, but think the dart would be too small for your tank.

 

[fishoutofwater]

i am in the middle of setting up a 210 with a closed loop. just did my water test the other day. I am set up with a hammerhead with 8 outlets running thru an oceanmotions 8 way. so I have it plumbed with 2 ea 2" drains t'd into the hammerhead to 1.5". then on the out its 1.5" into the om8 and out 81" ports then down to 8ea 3/4 in bulkheads. the flow is amazing check out the pics.

 

[IFbettas]

Thanks guys! I thought the hammerhead was more expensive than it really is. I think I'm going to go with the hammerhead now. I'm not counting on the CL to provide all of the flow, I just want it provide a good amount so I don't need too many powerheads in the display.

How would 2x 2" intakes and then 6x 3/4" (or should I do 1"?) outputs work? Would this provide enough flow to make it worth doing?

 

[MarkusII]

Hello,

I believe that this pump is not enough - you will at least need two....
(I recently installed two 3800g pumps on a 230g tank - and it is not too much)
I always make one intake and two outputs per pump (same diameter - and not going smaller for the output).
And do not use 90 degree or "T" tubings but bows and "Y"´s for your plumbing.

regards

Markus

 

[IFbettas]

I know that I will need flow on top of the CL, I just want something reliable to keep the water moving around. Do you think it is worth doing with a hammerhead?

 

[fishoutofwater]

using 1 hammerhead as a start i think would be fine. just make sure you use double union ballvalves on all fittings so that at a later time you can add another to the mix if needed. remeber that the hammerhead is rated at 5800gph. even if you break that down to 6 outlets at 1" you will get the full effect. you can always add another at a later time when $$$$ is available. just my thoughts.

 

[LilRobb]

i am in the middle of setting up a 210 with a closed loop. just did my water test the other day. I am set up with a hammerhead with 8 outlets running thru an oceanmotions 8 way. so I have it plumbed with 2 ea 2" drains t'd into the hammerhead to 1.5". then on the out its 1.5" into the om8 and out 81" ports then down to 8ea 3/4 in bulkheads. the flow is amazing check out the pics.

Let's hope you never need to service the OM or the pump...
I would have used many, many more unions...

 

[fishoutofwater]

The pump and om8 have unions they just aren't visable in the pic. I have had it out a couple times to mess with the sumps. There are a total of 9 double unions. i could not put one above the pump between the om due to room but it is easily servicable.

 

[viggen]

If you need the flow of a hammerhead I would go with 2 Dart's instead. Each Dart does 3600 gph at about 140w vs the hammerhead doing 5800gph at 350 ish watts. So at zero head you would be running around 80w less power, flow around 1400gph more plus having 2 pumps when/if a pump fails your other pump will hopefully be working!

It will cost a little more up front $550-600 for 2 Darts vs $325-350 for a hammerhead but you will get more flow for less money in electric

I am setting up a 475g & I do not want all the pipes coming up from the bottom of my tank (also not a fan of pumps sitting inside the tank) so I will probably do a vortex or somethig similar on my 10ft tank. Not sure exactly what I will do, the hydor koralia 8's are 18w & 3200 ish gph for $80 but I have no clue if they are good or not. You can get a lot of flow with 2-4 of those in the tank for less money & a lot less power. I figure since my money is also tight I might try 1 or 2 of these & when money allows step up to a vortex

 

[IFbettas]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to go with the hammerhead. I'm hoping that along with my koralias I already have will be enough to get started with SPS.

 

[RocketEngineer]

If you are willing to foot the bill up front, I suggest (2) Reeflow Super Gold Darts instead of (1) Hammerhead. The Super Gold Dart puts out 4300 gph @ 165w vs the Hammerhead which does 5800gph @ 335W. Since this is a closed loop application you do not need the higher head rating on the Hammerhead. Personally, I would go with a pair of Super Gold Dart pumps with OM4 on them to 8 returns. This would provide 8600 gph flow for the same wattage as the Hammerhead and would allow for more random flow in the tank.

Just my $.02.

RocketEngineer

 

[WDLV]

I did my 210 like this. I ran two reeflow barracudas on this tank. One was enough. Two on looked like a washing machine. I would and will use this same configuration again.

The anemone should give an idea of what the flow was like. There was only one pump on in this vid. The water was entering the tank left to right along the top half. The flow bounced off the right wall and continued right to left along the bottom... which is what was moving this anemone.


Left Side

Right Side

 

[thenewone]

sorry if crashed you ur tread

sorry if crashed you ur tread

does anyone know if you can drill a pvc bottom tank i want to do it but im wondering if i can do it or not

 

[IFbettas]

If you are willing to foot the bill up front, I suggest (2) Reeflow Super Gold Darts instead of (1) Hammerhead. The Super Gold Dart puts out 4300 gph @ 165w vs the Hammerhead which does 5800gph @ 335W. Since this is a closed loop application you do not need the higher head rating on the Hammerhead. Personally, I would go with a pair of Super Gold Dart pumps with OM4 on them to 8 returns. This would provide 8600 gph flow for the same wattage as the Hammerhead and would allow for more random flow in the tank.

Just my $.02.

RocketEngineer

I think that is a good idea, but I will have to see how much money I have at the time.

If you went with two pumps where would you put the returns (back wall, sides, bottom)? I'm thinking about having 4 returns and one intake on each of the sides.

 

[SMOOTHIE]

If you are willing to foot the bill up front, I suggest (2) Reeflow Super Gold Darts instead of (1) Hammerhead. The Super Gold Dart puts out 4300 gph @ 165w vs the Hammerhead which does 5800gph @ 335W. Since this is a closed loop application you do not need the higher head rating on the Hammerhead. Personally, I would go with a pair of Super Gold Dart pumps with OM4 on them to 8 returns. This would provide 8600 gph flow for the same wattage as the Hammerhead and would allow for more random flow in the tank.

Just my $.02.

RocketEngineer

Check out the gold series in general. Great pumps. I am using the barracuda on my 180 CL

 

[MarkusII]

Hello,

If you went with two pumps where would you put the returns

Bottom of the tank

see this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1762452

regards

Markus

 

[viggen]

That's what I said.... 2 better then 1.... more flow, less power & if 1 fails you have another pump running! Hammerheads are great pumps but not for this setup, better options

With the snapper I was told it wasn't worth the money to go gold.... not sure if that's the case on the darts?

You can alwys plumb it for 2 pumps. Then when money is willing buy the 2nd pump