Closed loop ideas..

markywmson

markywmson

Member
Hey all. I'm in the planning stages of getting/setting up a 90g with a single overflow. I'm thinking of drilling the back out to make a closed loop, but I don't know if this will be more hassle than it's worth. I've seen melevs idea on his site, that's pretty nice. But I'd rather not have pipes hanging over the back.

I realize opinions will vary here, but I'm hoping to get some good ideas here. Whether to closed loop it, or use powerheads only.

Thanks in advance for the ideas....

-Mark
 
If your tank is dry, do yourself a favor and drill the heck out of it. I've done the over the back stuff in the past and man am I glad I decided to drill my current tank. I drilled 8 holes in the back of this baby and I have one kick-a$$ flow system. Not to mention it is all concealed by the black background.

Jacob
 
Closed loop means that water is drawn from the tank, goes through an external pump, then powered back to the display tank. It is a means of getting increased water flow of almost unlimited capacity depending on the pump size used without adding excessive heat to the tank. It eliminates the need for powerheads in the display.

Jacob
 
if the tank is acrylic you could easily do it. glass...well some say it is easy but more risk involved

i have a HOT (hand over tank) CL and i wouel MUCH rather have it drilled...but that wasn't an option w/ the expensive Oceanic tank. when i do my 125+ (1-2yrs) i'm having it drilled in the back to make it easier.

if you don't want ot drill it at all for a closed loop you could use 2 tunzes. yeah they are spendy but they ROCK.

i will have 2 tunzes AND a closed loop for more random flow

if you do a closed loop get an OM 4 way unit. www.oceansmotions.com

Cole - it is when you suck water from the tank and pump it right back into the tank. you don't increase the flow through your overflow but you increase the flow in the tank.

Lunchbucket
 
Nice resume Lunchbucket. I'm about to graduate with a Bachelors in Kinesiology(Motor Behavior/Exercise Physiology) and a minor in Psychology.

Jacob
 
it's going to be a 90g AGA. i've got a guy that has the bit and can do it all for me. for a 90, what are the best bulkheads to go with? 3/4"? 1"? also, would 2 return holes with 1 intake on a scwd be pretty good? i'm new to this line of thinking and trying to make sure i make the right decision.

thanks!

-mark
 
I'd do the closed loop. I really feel powerheads distract from the look of the display. Go with the largest diameter plumbing you can.
 
Bulkhead size depends on the pump used(input and output size). SCWDs are rated to 1600gph and usually decrease flow by about 20% and only come in 3/4" barbed fittings. I would look at the OM super squirt and then decide which external pump you want to use. Great pumps that I have had experience with are Panworld, GenX, Iwaki, and Sequence.

Jacob
 
it's definately not an unlimited budget. i'm not skimping either. just taking it slow and getting all the stuff before i even build a stand for it. it'll probably be a year project or so. but i looked at that 4way and it was crazy expensive. didn't look at the super squirt. would that be good if i was to have only 2 returns? would i gain alot more by having 4 returns on the back of a 90 for the 4way? i could see that for a 180...

like i said though, i'm taking my time to do this right. hopefully by doing so it will keep the itch about getting a new tank off long enough that i would be able to have a house by then... :)
 
reefin'aggie - thanks :D it was a PITA IMO...but i guess i can say i didi it. what you plan on using yoru degree for?

marky - i would do 1" outlets and a 2" intake...depending on how much flow you are planning. if you use a Dart that would be about right.

IMO SCWD's SUCK...i have had a LOT of experience w/ them too. was one of the first to review them and use them...do a search. nothing compares to the OM units.

tom - nice to see you around again ;)

reefin' - true budget, the livestock you want, and the flow you want need to be figured out.

Lunchbucket
 
Man, I have the "I don't know what I want to do after college blues!!!" Maybe Physical Therapy school if I can get in, personal training for a little while to make some bucks, I don't know. What would you recommend?

Darts on 1" outlets kick some serious butt. On a 90gal, an OM 4way through 4 outlets would be sweet. An OM Super Squirt with just 2 outlets would QUITE nice too. If you wanted to get very serious you could get a more pressure rated pump like a Panworld or GenX and put a Penductor on each of the outlets...and that's a whole other ballgame.

Jacob
 
what do penductors do? do they focus the stream more?

what i was planning on doing was sps on the top and softies on the bottom. maybe have an achilles tang (if the tank is big enough), would like an anemone for clowns too. i haven't thought really in depth about this yet, because i know how long it's going to take me to getting it done.

would the 4 way create too much flow for stuff in a 90? i mean it's only like 100 more than the other... however i believe that needs a bigger pump to run it, and thus more elec, right?

again this isn't a "budget 90", but i still am on somewhat of a budget. more expensive stuff just means longer until it's totally setup.
 
http://www.kthsales.com/website/Misc/hello_salt_water_enthusiasts.htm

Penductors require at least a minimum flow to be effective...meaning a pressure rated pump. If it's only a 100 bucks more than I think it is worth it as long as you have the capability to get more holes drilled. The OMs have multiple "drum" options to vary output so at any given moment usually no more than 2 outlets are engaged. Also, most true pressure rated(high head) pumps use smaller plumbing reducing cost of initial setup but consume more electricity b/c of actual velocity of the pumps impeller. They also run a bit louder too...mostly b/c they have a very powerful fan blowing at the back of the pump to keep it running cooler. So far the quietest external pressure pump that I have used are the Pan Worlds and they add literally no heat to the tank that I can notice.

Jacob
 
Lot's of indirect, turbulent flow=good(this you will get with the OMs) and it is very difficult to have "too much flow". Lots of direct, laminar flow=bad.

Jacob
 
I hate the look of powerheads in the tank. Here's my CL plumbing (not glued together yet)

9086CLplumbing.JPG
 
thank you all so much! i'm really learning alot here towards getting my tank ready. these are all great things, and as of now, i'm leaning more towards the 4way. i guess when i get there (after buying the lights) i'll see what i can afford when it comes to the external (same as a pressure rated pump right?) pump.

aggie-what are the plumbing parts usually on those? when you say smaller, do you mean 3/4" smaller? or 1.5" smaller? just trying to get a general grasp here...

thanks!
 
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