Closed loop start.

[all-apologies]

Anyone have any opions on the best way to biuld a closed loop for the first time.

I know i will make mistakes, but am trying to minimize the effect by learning from others.

i want to know what is a good size pipe diam. for a 60 gallon cube. I was thinking (2) 3/4" intakes and (4) 1/2" returns.

Also, is it smart to go with some hard piping, but then flex-pvc to the pump?

lastly, how much turnover is recomended thru 1/2" returns. Should i run a mag18 or maybe a specefic kind of external pump.

thanks

 

[leebo_28]

first i would choose a good external pump. mags are loud and produce alot of heat , and I honestly don't think it will produce the flow your looking for , after all a closed loop is for producing good circulation.... once you have your pump picked out then you will know what size intake you will want to drill for , I would go the same size or a half inch larger than your pump intake as to not starve your pump of water. then you can plan your returns the same way...try to use the large diameter piping from your pump return as much as possible before reducing to the return holes.
look in my gallery for some pics of my closed loop in progress!
plan and plan again before you finally drill your tank...then dry fit all your plumbing before sealing just my 2cents ...and good luck!

 

[all-apologies]

hey thanks alot!

ok, what do you think is a recommended flow rate?

also, is it a good idea to put my intakes in the overflow section that way i dont risk sucking up anems etc...???

thanks,

 

[leebo_28]

anywhere from 1200 gph and up....and DO NOT drill in your overflow. I drilled two intakes to take away some of the suction from the intakes but mine is 3600 gph closed loop , if you decide to drill just one intake you can easily put a tee in the tank and put strainers on each side to protect the fish.

 

[all-apologies]

ok, i thought that drilling in the overflow would create flow-problems, but i read that if you put them in the tank, they can easily rip apart anemones etc...

so i guess ill drill em in the tank. My plan is to do (2) 1" intakes with strainers, and (4) 1/2" returns using loc-line. The locline can handle about 475gph, so i maybe like 400gph thru each output is enough.

what pump would you reccomend. I need something cheaper, and not too loud if possible. Was thinking a pan-world.

thanks

 

[jtarmitage]

My 2 cents: Drill a 2" drain, down to a Sequence Snapper(Quiet, efficent), and then split the return into 4 3/4" to 1" return lines. Just put ball valves on each line for future control if one is too powerful for the corals in it's path.

 

[seaskraP]

strongly recommend jtarmitage's idea.