Closed Loop or not closed loop? (SCWD wavemaker question)

[victor_c3]

I've been researching and trying to figure out how exactly I'm going to set up my saltwater tank and I think I have everything that I want to do figured out except for the return/current making system in my tank-to-be.

I've been looking and thinking about running a closed system in my 30 gallon tank like the one shown on this guys webpage. http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

To get to my question, if I'm running a sump (like the guy whose webpage I'm referring to) then why would I want to run a closed loop system? Why not just have all of the water from the return line from the sump run through the SCWD Wavemaker and eliminate the extra plumbing and additional water pump used to build the closed system?

Would there be an issue with having to re-prime the SCWD after a potential power outage? Or do you think the guy just set up a closed loop system because he did this project as an afterthought?

Additionally, do most of you think the SCWD Wavemaker is an alright product? Or should I look into providing current in my tank via an alternate method?

Also, if it makes any difference, I have a 30 gallon tank that I plan to use with a 20 galon sump.

As always, thanks in advance for help I can receive! I really appreciate any patience and time any of you care to spare to a complete beginner such as myself!!

Victor

 

[shag26272]

You would use it just to provide more flow in the tank, in my opinion ocean motions are much better then the SCWD

http://www.oceansmotions.com/store/...id=37&osCsid=8e4102f7ff0a4666674fd548b90a3ee2

 

[psidriven]

I think there's 2 main advantages of running a closed loop w/ a sump vs. big return pump.

1. Less heat introduced into the system since closed loop are more efficient since there is no head loss. The water coming down pushes the water going up, so no head loss. You would have to run a pretty big pump to overcome the usual 3 feet of head loss to get the same flows of a closed loop.

2. Allows for slower water movement in sump for your equipment to work on. While you may want 20 or 50 x flow in your tank, that might not be the best for your skimmer, heater, etc.

Hopefully that made sense and is accurate. At least that's what I derived from looking at closed loop systems.

 

[pitbullpooch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8930510#post8930510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psidriven
1. Less heat introduced into the system since closed loop are more efficient since there is no head loss. The water coming down pushes the water going up, so no head loss. You would have to run a pretty big pump to overcome the usual 3 feet of head loss to get the same flows of a closed loop.

2. Allows for slower water movement in sump for your equipment to work on. While you may want 20 or 50 x flow in your tank, that might not be the best for your skimmer, heater, etc.

agreed. you really only want around 5x going through your sump. so for your 30 gallon you only want around 150 gph going through your sump so you need to get more flow somewhere if you want to keep corals and thats when a closed loop comes in handy rather then having powerheads all over your tank.

 

[victor_c3]

Thanks for the information.

I'm still not sure how much current I should have in my tank though. The corals that I've been thinking about eventually placing in my tank, according to the webpage I'm looking at, require "medium" water flow. A few of the corals I'm debating over include:

Ruffled Ridge Coral (turbinaria sp)
Spiny Cup Pectinia Coral (pectinia sp)

and maybe a Tube Anemone (ceriathus sp)

So what exactly would constitute "medium" waterflow in a 30 gallon tank? Or what waterflow should I set my aquarium up with that would allow me to support these corals (and anemone)?


Once again, thanks!!