Closed loop pump.

[ItsDave]

Anyone think that a closed loop with 4 outlets using a mag 18 will be underpowered? I feel like maybe reducing it to 2 outlets will increase the power of the flow. Any suggestions?

 

[SkiFletch]

Why do you want power? Are you growing some kind of acro forest and want to try and blow the flesh off them? I'd go with the 4 if it were my tank.

 

[talon4x4]

An 18 seems kinda high, especially if its for the 55gal I see under your current tanks. You'd be over 30x turnover in that tank.

 

[bosborn1]

If you going with LPS and softies I would say that its ok. If your going for SPS then go 6 outlets on a Calfo manifold with atleast a Mag24.

There is no such thing a too much flow (within reason). In the ocean these corals get tons of Laminar Flow.

I shoot for around 50-90x turnover in my 180.

Scott

 

[johno4]

I have a mag 18 on a closed loop in my 135 fowlr. I had 4 out lets and the flow was ok. I recently changed it to 2 outlets both with eductors on them; wow what a difference. I have them on either end of the tank and they point at each other, very turbulant in the middle of the tank.

 

[redrider911]

Not to jack a thread here, but, has anyone had or seen a closed loop with supply/return plumbing going over the top? or is it possible to drill a tank with the water drained slightly lower than where the holes would go and drill without getting the glass in the sand? It would have to be drilled from inside-out because of the wall.

 

[bosborn1]

I would go over the top.

Drilling a filled tank has a much great disaster scenario than an empty one.

Not saying it cant be done....But man can imagine the sinking feeling you'd get in your stomach if that sucker breaks.

John, Penductors are really cool, but do you think they would be wise in a 55 gallon?

Scott

 

[ItsDave]

So Im guessing that i Should reduce it to two outlets?

 

[bosborn1]

I think I would stay at four. Might be wise to put a ball valve in front of each outlet...That way you can balance them.

 

[SkiFletch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10467915#post10467915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bosborn1
I think I would stay at four. Might be wise to put a ball valve in front of each outlet...That way you can balance them.

I like this plan

 

[ItsDave]

yeah they do have the ball valves that go right in the loc line so maybe I will pick up four of those.

 

[bosborn1]

I would throw a true union valve (Lowe's) on the pump to make life easier when it comes to cleaning the pump. Also it will make things easy if you need to upgrade pumps. I have learned the hard way over the years that you should never scrimp when it comes to plumbing. Add true unions and valves everywhere it makes sense. These make things much nicer when Mr. Murphy drops by for a visit.

Scott

 

[PCIALF]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10469792#post10469792 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bosborn1
when Mr. Murphy drops by for a visit.

Scott

I think I am related to him

Great point Scott

 

[ItsDave]

oh of course already built the closed loop with union valves on the inlet and the outlet of the pump with ball valves above them so all the water doesn't leak out when you take the pump off for cleaning. I put a lot of thought into it but when I hooked it up I wasn't impressed with the flow

 

[bosborn1]

I think you might be more impressed with a larger external pump. Its a little bit more money....But alas "You get what you pay for"

 

[ItsDave]

so what go with a mag24? dang.....I was originally going to go smaller than an 18 but now I guess I'm glad I didnt

 

[SkiFletch]

Consider something like an Iwaki, Panworld, or GenX (their smaller models) instead of a Mag IMO. The Mag's tend to provide a lot of latent heat to the water and dont always seal very well compared to others where the pump and motor are seperate entities.

 

[johno4]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10461548#post10461548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bosborn1

John, Penductors are really cool, but do you think they would be wise in a 55 gallon?

Scott

No, I guess I should have been a little more clear. I think it is a lot of flow and it would be too much in a 55g.

 

[ItsDave]

well I'm going to try putting the valves on each outlet and I'm taking 2 90s that I don't really need out of the plumbing and hopefully that will solve the problem. if not maybe I will buy a new pump

 

[nwrogers]

I have penductors on my 65 with a Mag12 and the flow is nice! Not too much at all. A Mag 18 may be even better. I would recommend trying them before buying a bigger pump. Before I added the penductors they flow was lame, now it is very nice…