Closed Loop Suggestions (plans included)
- Thread starter Zoos
- Start date
dougchambers
New member
Zoos - Like others have said, definitely consider a pair of inlets to the pump. It reduces the chances of cavitating the pump and splits the drain flow velocity.
For our CL, we have a pair of 2" drains feeding a sequence 4200SEQ12. Against Marc's better judgement, our CL drains are in the bottom of the tank along with a pair 1.5" returns that split below the rocks. Yes I still stress about them, but they work so well!
Here is a shot of our CL schematic. It's slightly different than shown, but pretty close. Single union ball valves or true-union ball valves are your best new friend!
For our CL, we have a pair of 2" drains feeding a sequence 4200SEQ12. Against Marc's better judgement, our CL drains are in the bottom of the tank along with a pair 1.5" returns that split below the rocks. Yes I still stress about them, but they work so well!
Here is a shot of our CL schematic. It's slightly different than shown, but pretty close. Single union ball valves or true-union ball valves are your best new friend!
aurorafish
New member
I have a dart with 4 one inch returns, sometimes i cap one off to get a bit more flow, but all in all 4 seems ok on my 90 gallon reef. 1 1/2 would be a waste of materials and real estate around your tank. I also would stay away from drilling near the bottom of a tank.
aurorafish
New member
just one 2 inch, I did not drill my tank, just over the top 2 inch upside down "U" feeding the pump, the return is a inch manifold around the top edge of the tank (suspended about an inch above the water with 4 returns going down into the tank. Has been like this for close to a year without issues.
javajaws
Premium Member
If your worried about the suction, you could always put a T on it inside the tank and use 2 of those strainer things. May be kind of hard to hide or aquascape around if on the bottom of the tank though.
I don't have alot of suction on my 2x1.5" drains (intake for a Sequence 1000 series 1/8 hp pump), but I also made a custom cover that fits into the 2 bulkheads so that the suction would be distributed over even more area (because I'll eventually add another CL pump that will increase the flow through those bulkheads). Here's a crappy picture to show you what I mean:
Any fish that can fit through a 1/4" slot will be toast however if he dares enter the cave of doom. I believe in survival of the fittest and smartest in my tank. Maybe if they all play nice together I'll make a new one with 1/8" slots...
I don't have alot of suction on my 2x1.5" drains (intake for a Sequence 1000 series 1/8 hp pump), but I also made a custom cover that fits into the 2 bulkheads so that the suction would be distributed over even more area (because I'll eventually add another CL pump that will increase the flow through those bulkheads). Here's a crappy picture to show you what I mean:
Any fish that can fit through a 1/4" slot will be toast however if he dares enter the cave of doom. I believe in survival of the fittest and smartest in my tank. Maybe if they all play nice together I'll make a new one with 1/8" slots...
