Closed loop question

[Turbovr3six]

i have a dolphin pump with 1.5" inlet/outlets... my tank has 3x1" hole drilled in it... will this be a problem since the piping will need to be reduced? the model of the pump does 2700gph i believe.. any input is highly appreciated since i wanna get this project rolling this weekend:bounce3:

 

[phox202]

You should be ok if you can find the fittings to reduce at the bulkhead.

 

[prugs]

Run the suction line or lines over the back of the tank. That way you can use the 3x1" holes for the pressure lines.

 

[OwenInAZ]

Run the suction line or lines over the back of the tank. That way you can use the 3x1" holes for the pressure lines.

Maybe it's just me, but I think part of the allure of a closed loop is having a clean look, and IMO running the lines over the back would destroy that.

You should be OK just reducing the size of the fittings down to what you need. As long as it goes from smaller at the pump to larger at the tank, to me it seems like that's not much different than having a smaller line directly abut the tank itself. Just make sure you use QD's

 

[DgenR8]

Reducing the feed from 1.5" to 1" will cause cavitation. I'm in exactly the same boat, and debating lowering the water level, and opening one of my three closed loop holes to fit a 1.5" bulkhead. IMO, the only other option is running a 1.5" suction line over the rim of my tank. Like Owen mentioned above, the aesthetics would be less than admirable.
You **COULD** put a gate valve on the output of the pump to slow the output to match what the 1" input is able to give you to avoid cavitation, but why not just use a smaller pump in that case?

 

[Pyrrhus]

You should be ok if you join together 2 of your 1" lines into a 1.5" line and run that to the pump, this will only leave you 1 return line for the pump, unless you branch it out a few times it will be like a firehose.

The plumbing setup you have is better suited to an Eheim 1262, Mag drive 9.5 or smaller, or a small Iwaki or Little giant 30/40 series than a Dolphin or Reeflo type pump.

 

[ScrubberOTanky]

I used a dolphin Ampmaster that has 1.5" plumbing on my big tank. I did it with 2 1" drains and 1 1" return, the pump has been running for over a year. I used the holes I had, but it's an acrylic tank, in hindsight I would have drilled more return holes, but it's working just fine. As Skip said you will have a fire hose. (my tank is 29" tall and I can make fountains on the surface), so I split the returns 4 ways with a PVC T and loc line and snaked it through my rockwork.

 

[wizardson]

Justin give me a call bud, You should be fine. They make manifolds for such stuff. you can even make your own.

 

[Turbovr3six]

i've been swayed away from the whole closed loop all together.. just gonna run the Tunze's only now... thanks for all the info!

 

[Pyrrhus]

i've been swayed away from the whole closed loop all together.. just gonna run the Tunze's only now... thanks for all the info!

Your electric bill will thank you.

 

[prugs]

Your electric bill will thank you.

Have you ever heard of the Dolphin Amp Eater?:rollface:

 

[Turbovr3six]

Your electric bill will thank you.

thats what the major decision maker... that and i dont want to repleace seals and set it all up:lol: