Closed loop or Power Heads?????

[SPotter]

I am in the planning stages of my upgrade build. I have started collecting equipment and I am trying to decide between doing a closed loop system or using controllable powerheads. I like the idea of a cl because thats less equipment hanging in the tank.

I would like to hear your preferences and experiences.

Thank you in advance for looking and sharing...please respond to the above poll.

 

[BrokeColoReefer]

First question i have, what size tank is planned?

 

[davocean]

Yeah tank size is the question.
I prefer having my vorts, if there is an issue, it's not like the heart of my system is down until I replace that one main pump(I had a real bad exp w/ this once)
But for big tanks, CL may be best way to go for all the flow needed, could be alot of $$ in vorts for a big tank, and alot of PH's you have to look at.

 

[SPotter]

sorry about that....I'm looking at 200+ gallons.

 

[RJT]

I have the same question. I am planning a 300 gallon 8ft long tank. Not sure which way to go myself.

 

[BrokeColoReefer]

I am planning a closed loop right now for my 240 that i am building up. I am going to run the returns up through the bottom, with two supplies on the back. I want good flow at the bottom of the tank to keep the nasty stuff suspended. i am going to run a surge tank for top flow.

My plan for my 240 is 2x 2" supplies and 4x 1.5" returns. i will run splitters horizontally to 16x 3/4" nozzles turned at 45* spread througout the bottom of the tank. All run by one reeflo dart.

 

[SPotter]

I am debating between a 200 and 240 deep. Honestly, my biggest concern is drilling the tanks which is what has sparked my debate. I have never drilled glass before and I am not sure if I really want to give it a try. I have an OM4 and a Dart ready to go for the CL but trying to decide if the extra work is really worth it. I do like the look of no extra equipment in the tank.

 

[BrokeColoReefer]

Im going to drill the holes as i lay out the rock work on 1/2" acrylic skewers. My tank is plastic, so its a bit easier. With glass, i would rent the press and bit you need to do a pro job. Personally, i am not comfortable with that (or patient enough) so i would probably forgo the CL unless i had a pro drilling the holes or i had some pratice on rented equipment.

 

[bdare]

I am debating between a 200 and 240 deep. Honestly, my biggest concern is drilling the tanks which is what has sparked my debate. I have never drilled glass before and I am not sure if I really want to give it a try. I have an OM4 and a Dart ready to go for the CL but trying to decide if the extra work is really worth it. I do like the look of no extra equipment in the tank.

Everyone is scared the first time they do it... Something about taking a drill to a piece of glass which will housing A LOT of salt water in your house can be scary. I will tell you from experience it is MUCH easier than you think.

When I drilled my tank first I took a piece of plywood and drilled a guide hole for the diamond bit to sit in. I don't agree with angling the bit to get it started. Too much risk IMO. Then, I took 2 smaller pieces of wood to hold the guide about 1/2" off the tank. Next I taped my hose next to where I wanted the hole drilled. The 1/2" gap let water flow around my drill bit to keep it cool and wash away the small pieces of glass being drilled out.

The crucial part is making sure you have enough support on the inside of the tank so the "puck" doesn't push through and leave you with the "moons" or craters. To achieve this I also just duck taped a piece of plywood on the inside of the tank under where I was drilling.

Closed loops work VERY well if you plan them out. I don't have one in my current tank and instead I opted for running controllable Tunzes

 

[SPotter]

yeah I have drilled acrylic before but never glass. A lot of people tell me its easy but you just need to take your time with it. I have been thinking about talking to some of the glass shops and see if any of them would be interested. Of course if I order a tank brand new, I can have the holes drilled by the manufacturer but the cost of a new vs used tank is significant.

 

[geaux xman]

now about 2 mp60's? thats good for 15,000gph

 

[dzfish17]

Im using a reeflo dart on my CL to move water in the lower portions of my 600g tank. I only have 2 holes drilled in the tank, one to the pump and one for the return... all other pipes are in the tank and hidden by a rock wall. I'm also using 5 powerheads to move water behind the rock wall.

 

[SPotter]

Everyone is scared the first time they do it... Something about taking a drill to a piece of glass which will housing A LOT of salt water in your house can be scary. I will tell you from experience it is MUCH easier than you think.

When I drilled my tank first I took a piece of plywood and drilled a guide hole for the diamond bit to sit in. I don't agree with angling the bit to get it started. Too much risk IMO. Then, I took 2 smaller pieces of wood to hold the guide about 1/2" off the tank. Next I taped my hose next to where I wanted the hole drilled. The 1/2" gap let water flow around my drill bit to keep it cool and wash away the small pieces of glass being drilled out.

The crucial part is making sure you have enough support on the inside of the tank so the "puck" doesn't push through and leave you with the "moons" or craters. To achieve this I also just duck taped a piece of plywood on the inside of the tank under where I was drilling.

Closed loops work VERY well if you plan them out. I don't have one in my current tank and instead I opted for running controllable Tunzes

Thank you for sharing...I really want to do the CL. Since you've had both do you like one better than the other?

As far as not getting craters or moons, do you drill inside out or outside in? One person told me to drill from the inside of the tank out to avoid that problem.


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[davocean]

On tanks 200g plus I think a CL is almost a must, and most likely you are still going to need a couple PH's as well to hit all dead spots.
The dart does push quite a bit of water, and real nice to hide that gear.
If I did it again I'd make sure to have the Baldor motor though, rather than the AO Smith.

 

[insanespain]

Im going to drill the holes as i lay out the rock work on 1/2" acrylic skewers. My tank is plastic, so its a bit easier. With glass, i would rent the press and bit you need to do a pro job. Personally, i am not comfortable with that (or patient enough) so i would probably forgo the CL unless i had a pro drilling the holes or i had some pratice on rented equipment.

No need to rent anything. I bought a brand new diamond bit off ebay, chucked it up in my 18v cordless drill, and drilled 7 holes in my brand new tank, never had a single problem and I had never drilled or cut glass in my life. Keep the bit cool and its a walk in the park.

 

[davocean]

^^ We have local dudes that drill for $10 a hole, and that is all they use.
As long as it's not tempered(and a lot of bottoms are) it's not supposed to be that big of a deal, but I would still be slightly nervous until drilling was over myself!

 

[BrokeColoReefer]

No need to rent anything. I bought a brand new diamond bit off ebay, chucked it up in my 18v cordless drill, and drilled 7 holes in my brand new tank, never had a single problem and I had never drilled or cut glass in my life. Keep the bit cool and its a walk in the park.

not something i would do with a 200 gallon plus tank. At the minimum, i would use a portable press. I would hate to have the bit bind half way through a 1/2" piece of glass. I would reserve the free hand method for 50 gallons or less.

 

[SPotter]

I'm guessing that with a portable press you have to drill outside/in. Does it really matter what side you drill from?


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[DannyHennig]

Powerheads for sure. I dont neccessarily want a couple of 200w pumps running 24/7.

 

[bdare]

Thank you for sharing...I really want to do the CL. Since you've had both do you like one better than the other?

As far as not getting craters or moons, do you drill inside out or outside in? One person told me to drill from the inside of the tank out to avoid that problem.


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Doesn't matter which side you drill from. Also, anyone who's actually dome this will tell you it's easier to drill larger tanks because the glass is thicker.

I'd prolly still go with power heads.... With All the money you would spend on closed loop equipment you could invest in some tunzes or vortechs.