I'm getting ready to set-up a 72"x36" 300g tank and need to make a decision on water movement. I've got 2 great LFS in my town and 1 tells me that powerheads are definately the way to go (less plumbing+less chance for leaks down the line, simpler set-up, flexibility to move powerheads around). The other shop sings the praises of closed loop (no unsighlty powerheads in peninsula tank, less heat transfer to water). I really would like to hear from large tank owners with personal experience with each approach. Which would you choose and why?
Closed Loop versus Tunze's
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waynem
New member
I aim for fail safe designs so I would never use a closed loop, that said many do with only the odd fail, lots of small leaks and some/most maybe? success.
Ask yourself, if it did fail what the outcome would be in your situation? For some people that's no big deal.
For me a tank must have 100% redundancy all the way and never a closed loop.
Good luck
Ask yourself, if it did fail what the outcome would be in your situation? For some people that's no big deal.
For me a tank must have 100% redundancy all the way and never a closed loop.
Good luck
im doing the same tank and I say both.
Im doing an over the side closed loop, along with one or two 6100's and a wavebox.
Problems with closed loop is if you drill the tank it can leak and be a PINA, pipes are hard to hide and if done wrong they can suck more power then some powerheads for the same water movement.
power heads can also be hard to hide, and will have to be removed to be cleaned.
The answer. over the side closed loop. No leaks, no bulk heads and if anything goes wrong it can be turned off and disconnected. Flow wise ill be using eductors on the closed loop to increase the darts output 3-4x(10,800gpm min for 170 watts, not bad) If i need more ill upgrade to a super dart or baracuda. Pipes will be hidden behind the rockwork as I am making the rockwork around the piping system. It will also be on a timer to conserve power.
supplimnetal flow will be a tunze or two strapped to a seaswirl and a wave box, also with custom rock work to hide them.
and as for the "if it did fail" I can just remove the eductors and stick some power heads in the same holes in the rocks. But in all liklyhood if anything happened all I would have to do is clear a clogged eductor or replace the pump.
Im doing an over the side closed loop, along with one or two 6100's and a wavebox.
Problems with closed loop is if you drill the tank it can leak and be a PINA, pipes are hard to hide and if done wrong they can suck more power then some powerheads for the same water movement.
power heads can also be hard to hide, and will have to be removed to be cleaned.
The answer. over the side closed loop. No leaks, no bulk heads and if anything goes wrong it can be turned off and disconnected. Flow wise ill be using eductors on the closed loop to increase the darts output 3-4x(10,800gpm min for 170 watts, not bad) If i need more ill upgrade to a super dart or baracuda. Pipes will be hidden behind the rockwork as I am making the rockwork around the piping system. It will also be on a timer to conserve power.
supplimnetal flow will be a tunze or two strapped to a seaswirl and a wave box, also with custom rock work to hide them.
and as for the "if it did fail" I can just remove the eductors and stick some power heads in the same holes in the rocks. But in all liklyhood if anything happened all I would have to do is clear a clogged eductor or replace the pump.
I used two closed loops on my 390. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=962136 Both had Darts, OM4ways, 8 outlets each, for 16 outlets with the closed loop plus a Dart for sump return with another 4 outlets for a total of 20 Loc-lines going into the tank. It worked great and was very adjustable.
On my 300, http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1533272 I have 4 Tunze 6105 plus a Dart return. Not as flexible, but simpler to set up and maintain.
On my 300, http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1533272 I have 4 Tunze 6105 plus a Dart return. Not as flexible, but simpler to set up and maintain.
bag151
Premium Member
I have a Barracuda CL as well as 4x Tunze 6105's in my 336g. Hindsight I wouldn't have bothered with the CL. They are just inefficient and plumbing was a bit of a pain. I have a PVC bottom tank so drilling holes wasn't an issue.
Barracuda-4300gph@285w
4x6105's-13,736gph@180w
Barracuda-4300gph@285w
4x6105's-13,736gph@180w
