Closed Loop Has Too Much Suction

[hurrifan]

I broke down my 180 and re-plumbed it adding a closed loop with 2 1" drains into an amp master 3000 returned through 3 3/4 SS. I have added new fish to the tank and found 2 of the new fish gettting stuck on the drain bc of its suction. I have the perferated drains in each drain and they are still getting stuck. Both fish are small to medium size but I dont think should be happening at all. Any advice... Should I add a ball valve and throttle down the drains or what????

 

[MCary]

I wouldn't throttle down a closed loop. You want the flow. Healthy fish shouldn't be getting stuck. But anyway, T-off the intakes and extend the stainers.

Mike

 

[hurrifan]

That is a great idea... I could T off each drain and add an additional strainer, so each drain would have 2 strainers.

 

[Bender]

I had the same problem with my closed loop intakes. The intakes are two 1.5" PVC with an elongated strainer on the ends. I lost two healthy clown fish to them. They would hang out behind them at night and wound up getting stuck to the strainers and were unable to get off them. I drilled several more smaller holes in the intake pipes to further disperse the suction. This has worked out well with no further problems.

 

[Brenden]

My CL intake is a 2" piece of PVC with saw cuts half way thru every 1/8 (saw blade thickness. When I added some small gobies that could fit thru the cuts I made a "sock" from rubber dipped fiberglass screen that is made for screened porches with cats. Never had a problem.

 

[Hef]

I run my Amp 3000 off of two 1-1/2" outlets, with intake screens on them. Never had a fish get stuck, or never knew about it. The big problem I have had, is the screens getting clogged over with coralaline and sand. It's like cement. When it's clogged, the pump sucks air somehow. Drove me crazy, air bubbles in the system.