Ok, I don't have a sump and won't be getting one anytime soon. For a very long time I have had 2 MJ1200s as flow and the return from a skimmer being fed by another MJ1200, an Emperor 400. Recently, I just tossed in another couple 150 gph powerheads I had laying around to get some dead areas having flow. It's a 55 gallon tank and I am pretty sure I need (would like) more flow. If I plumbed a closed loop with a SCWD as the only method of circulation, do you think this is a good idea? And what size/type pump would be good? I am just tired of so many ugly powerheads and still not having the flow I see everyone say is best. Thanks for your opinions once again!
Closed Loop Opinions
- Thread starter theevoys
- Start date
LOTUS50GOD
Active member
Depends on your budget and what you are trying to keep... I would do a closed loop with an oceansmotions 4 way in a 55..
Pump would depend on corals.
Pump would depend on corals.
aztbs
Active member
I had four powerheads in my 55 for a long time. I ended up putting a SCWD on my sump return (mag 7) and replaced the powerheads with two SEIOS. Every time I do a water change, I fiddle with the SWCD returns and change the current a little. My tank seems happy (although it's mostly softies) and you can see movement everywhere.
I don't think a single SCWD would be enough. They are cool, but won't cover the whole tank.
I don't think a single SCWD would be enough. They are cool, but won't cover the whole tank.
Thanks for the help so far. I don't have much $$. So, you think I could keep the MJ1200s in there and then add an SCWD on a Mag7 and it would work great? That way I could remove the Emperor and the extra powerheads and have better flow. Do you think I should get a Mag 5 or 7 for it though?
LOTUS50GOD
Active member
basically its a motorized ball valve... 1 input with 2 outputs that alternate between each side.
Ironman
New member
It all depends on what other attachments you are going to add to the SCWD. I have the flow split 4 ways after it leaves the SCWD which reduces the flow even more.
If you add a valve like I did before the SCWD then you can control the flow if it's too great. A valve is wise to install regardless because when you first start up the SCWD you get a grinding noise (internal mechanism) for a short while.
I was also told that on a pressure rated pump the flow can be so great as to destroy the SCWD upon start ups. I turn the flow down whenever I restart the pump, and then increase it.
If you add a valve like I did before the SCWD then you can control the flow if it's too great. A valve is wise to install regardless because when you first start up the SCWD you get a grinding noise (internal mechanism) for a short while.
I was also told that on a pressure rated pump the flow can be so great as to destroy the SCWD upon start ups. I turn the flow down whenever I restart the pump, and then increase it.
Well, even if I go with a different pump, it sounds like the Mag 5 would be a little small. If I bought a larger pump and then just used a valve I could use it on a larger tank later anyway. Do you have a photo of your tank and plumbing so I can get a better visualization of this plan?
aztbs
Active member
The whole point of the SCWD is that it has low backpressure and the mag pump has done well. But then again, I didn't want a pump that was going to overpower my overflow box. In a plain closed loop, you have more options. I go directly from the SCWD into two u-tube returns that pump across the top half of the water and agitate the surface as well.
If you are going with additional splits, then I can see going with a bigger pump, but then why use a SCWD at all? An OM 4 or 8-way would be cool.
If you are going with additional splits, then I can see going with a bigger pump, but then why use a SCWD at all? An OM 4 or 8-way would be cool.
CloWn SpaWn
New member
you can try this. http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html
Clown spawn,
Yeah, melev's idea is the one I am looking to go with since the tank is not drilled. I am mostly wondering what the right pump would be. It will sit below the tank and not on a platform behind it, so I may need something a little stronger. But, the valve idea (which is a no brainer now that I look at it) will really help.
Yeah, melev's idea is the one I am looking to go with since the tank is not drilled. I am mostly wondering what the right pump would be. It will sit below the tank and not on a platform behind it, so I may need something a little stronger. But, the valve idea (which is a no brainer now that I look at it) will really help.
CloWn SpaWn
New member
i'd say, don't go smaller then a mag 9.5 . but the cost to run a mag 12 is about the same watts as a ampmaster 3000. if i can remember right. go with the pump that calls for the same size pvc you want to use(see in you tank). i.e ampmaster 3000 1.5'' in 1.5'' out, mag 9.5 1'' in 1'' out. and like others said use a ball valve. just in case there is to much flow.
rljlll
New member
i have a question for all you closed loop people i was going to go with two to three powerheads on a controler but now that i have read this thread i am thinking of doing a closed loop it will look beter without the powerheads all over the tank and the flow would be better im think
well i have a standard 90 im setting it up on should i use the overflow return pipe and mod it into a closed loop or should i leave it alone and just do a closed loop seperate i will have i sump/fuge under the tank about 30gal or more im thinking
the return pump will be hooked to the overflow return?
Hope that made since
well i have a standard 90 im setting it up on should i use the overflow return pipe and mod it into a closed loop or should i leave it alone and just do a closed loop seperate i will have i sump/fuge under the tank about 30gal or more im thinking
the return pump will be hooked to the overflow return?
Hope that made since
rljlll
New member
on a closed loop is it better to gust have the open ended pc or could i put one of those black multi section ajustable returns?
and where can i but one of the returns
And what is the diff between a preasure rated pump like Little Giant 2MD Water Pump or a non preasure rated like a mag 12?
i think i use apropriate Ex. of the correct stle of pumps!!!! :hmm2:
and where can i but one of the returns
And what is the diff between a preasure rated pump like Little Giant 2MD Water Pump or a non preasure rated like a mag 12?
i think i use apropriate Ex. of the correct stle of pumps!!!! :hmm2:
landragon
Premium Member
theevoys, I don't personally like to ever set up anything w only one pump, as redundancy is safer in the long run. And the Uno line by sequence are nice.
Rljlll http://www.modularhose.com/ The main difference between pressure rated or not is how the pump output behaves against head pressure. A very high presure rated pump with a maximum head of 23' and Flow@0' of 1000GPH may push 800 at 6' as it's not alot of pressure in the scale of this pumps operating range. Now take a pump with a flow @0' of 1000gph and a max head of 12' .At 6' it will be more like 450 or so depending on the manufacturer. All these numbers are approximates to show a point. In the scope of things here, a pressure rated pump would do better against a device like a s.c.w.d. allthough it is not needed to have it work. It is because the s.c.w.d. introduces some friction loss which acts as head. I have run them on similar pump models from the same manufacturer that were pressure and non-pressure and there is a difference although when you get throwing 800gph at it it doesn't seem as noticable.
Rljlll http://www.modularhose.com/ The main difference between pressure rated or not is how the pump output behaves against head pressure. A very high presure rated pump with a maximum head of 23' and Flow@0' of 1000GPH may push 800 at 6' as it's not alot of pressure in the scale of this pumps operating range. Now take a pump with a flow @0' of 1000gph and a max head of 12' .At 6' it will be more like 450 or so depending on the manufacturer. All these numbers are approximates to show a point. In the scope of things here, a pressure rated pump would do better against a device like a s.c.w.d. allthough it is not needed to have it work. It is because the s.c.w.d. introduces some friction loss which acts as head. I have run them on similar pump models from the same manufacturer that were pressure and non-pressure and there is a difference although when you get throwing 800gph at it it doesn't seem as noticable.
