Closed loop with ocean motions or power heads?

[hk855]

I'm designing my new tank and I really like the hidden aspect of the closed loop as well as not having several koralias potentially making noise and just one pump. My build will probably be a 60g 48"x15"x17" tank and for flow I would either do 4 koralia 2&3s or a closed loop and ocean motion squirt, one exit in each front corner, one split and directed to the back about 4" from the top and each side and the last to a tee from the bottom center for 5 exits to get random flow. I was thinking of using a Gen-x 30 or pan world 50 px-x pump in the closed loop, about 1000gph and 13ft heap pressure. Would this be too much for a single outlet, ie should I have 2 for each cycle of the OM?

I'm looking at an either or scenario, I don't want to instal a closed loop, have it be inadequate and still need power heads. My main concern is the closed loop won't be enough flow being only 15x tank volume but would the OM and higher velocity create better flow pattern and thus need less turnover? This is going to be an sps only tank and With power heads I would end up in the 60 to 80x turnover.

Also anything you would to differently with the closed loop? I would prefer to go this route if possible but also want a silent system and to be energy efficient, under 100w if possible but not spend another $500 on tunze or vortex. Another idea would be to build the return lines above the the tank and skip the bulkheads, any opinions on that?

Thanks

 

[ros_sco]

I have a closed loop on my 75 gallon reef with a Oceans Motions Super Squirt Compact powered by a Reeflo Snapper upgraded with a Super Dart impeller. I changed impellers to get the maximum flow possible as my corals had grown so much they were impeding the flow. The Super Dart is rated at 4300 GPH but with head pressure and the capacity of the SSC, i am hoping it is running at the rated 2500GPH. I have not measured the output officially. I have peen very satisfied with the setup and am considering using one with my new tank build. The SSC is compact enough that it can be fit behind the tank as shown. My new tank will be much larger and therefore the plumbing must be larger and I am not sure if I want to commit enough room to accomodate it.


Attached is a picture of the back of the tank and 2 1/2 year old FTS to show the front side. The 4 lower outlets are the closed loop, and the 2 uppers are the returns. See also the newer FTS. The flow is sufficient to keep the corals from growing into the main water path. You can see the channel they have created in the green slimer, pink pocci and blue milli.

 

[jtma508]

I use a closed-loop on my 90gal bowfront. It's powered by a PW 100px and a OM 4way. The 4 way has outlets high at the rear corners, each with an OM Y nozzle. The other two outlets run under the sand to the lower front corners. The OM 4-way cycles between the upper rear and lower front outlets. It's worked extremely well although I'm considering moving up to a Reeflo.

 

[chimmike]

I like the second poster's closed look using the back of the tank. On a 60g, you're really going to increase your power consumption by not using something like a vortech. Frankly, a single mp40w would be plenty for a 60g with a decent return pump. It'll cost as much to set up as a closed loop with oceans motions and sufficient pump, but use much less power and probably provide more variable flow.

 

[hk855]

That's very persuading chimmike and given the CL options are mostly inlet from the back two vortechs or tunzes would probably be comperableand less noisy fewer holes etc. I have heard some vortices can be a bit noisy but they fixed that right? Any opinion on vortechs vs tunze, mostly noise? I'm thinking more power head now as I don't want a 1.5" supply line for a closed loop, the power is going to be a lot more,
and I play with PVC enough at work.
Thanks guys

 

[sheaD]

I run a closed loop with an oceans motions hooked to a sequence dart on a 125 and the flow is tremendous. I have mine drilled with 2 feeds for the dart. With a tank half the size of the 125 I would get a vortech or tunze.

 

[noobtothereef]

powerheads, closed loop use too much power by far. and your stuck with the placement of your closed loop and have intakes, plumbing etc everywhere in your tank, a single mp40 will outperform a closed loop with a hammerhead easily

 

[noobtothereef]

I have a closed loop on my 75 gallon reef with a Oceans Motions Super Squirt Compact powered by a Reeflo Snapper upgraded with a Super Dart impeller. I changed impellers to get the maximum flow possible as my corals had grown so much they were impeding the flow. The Super Dart is rated at 4300 GPH but with head pressure and the capacity of the SSC, i am hoping it is running at the rated 2500GPH. I have not measured the output officially. I have peen very satisfied with the setup and am considering using one with my new tank build. The SSC is compact enough that it can be fit behind the tank as shown. My new tank will be much larger and therefore the plumbing must be larger and I am not sure if I want to commit enough room to accomodate it.


Attached is a picture of the back of the tank and 2 1/2 year old FTS to show the front side. The 4 lower outlets are the closed loop, and the 2 uppers are the returns. See also the newer FTS. The flow is sufficient to keep the corals from growing into the main water path. You can see the channel they have created in the green slimer, pink pocci and blue milli.

looks like its time for a bigger tank bud, awesome growth!

 

[HowieB]

I just completed my 120 gal setup. I also couldn't decide on a closed loop or powerheads. After comparing power usage and ease of installation / maintenance, I went for one Vortech. Plenty of flow, have it dialed down to about 50 - 60%. Easy to control, clean and I can move it as corals grow.

 

[hk855]

I think I'm going power heads, how's the noise level on the vortech?

 

[HowieB]

With the beananimal overflow on my tank which is pretty silent, the Vortech is the only thing you can hear. It's not loud, but puts out a slight hum when it speeds up.

 

[QUASIMOTO]

+1 on the Vortech.... low power with super flow! installed in less than 3 minutes!!!

 

[QUASIMOTO]

oh ya.... my lighting fixture fan is about 3x's as loud as my mp-40.... they are virtually silent in my opinion.

 

[Euler Kernighan]

Hi Mark - hk855!

I'm facing the same problem as you - trying to decide how the best circulation schema for my new setup (290g) bit bigger than yours. But before you go with powerheads you may consider the following threads:

Flyyyguy posts at:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1478262

TulsaReefer, Reef Happy, Jpitts101 and GregC posts at:
http://reefcentral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1455208&page=2

CalmSeasQuest user post at:
http://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/lighting-filtration-other-equipment/110406-tunze-vortech.html

And other scenarios, like:
- 01 tunze controller 7096/7095 or APEX
- 01 or 02 tunzes 6105 (start with 1 and upgrade to 2 if needed)

or

- 01 or 02 MP40w ES

or

- 01 reeflo dart gold
- 01 Oceans Motion 4-way

or

- 01 reeflo dart
- 01 Oceans Motion 4-way
- 01 MP40w ES or 01 Tunze 6105 / 6205

Euler

 

[ShipWreck2]

For closed loops OM is also working on a new system that can drastically increase the flow through a tank using the same pump. Basically each end of the tank has 4 holes drilled in it. The top holes on each end are returns, and the bottom 4 are pump inlets. It would be like putting a 4way on both sides of the pump. The difference is that the two units are synced so that the return is directly across from the intake so now in a line you have the intake pulling the water out at 3500gph (dart) and then pusing in at 3500gph as well so you get the effect of 7000gph essentially.

Check out the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxlOvNN-OPE

 

[dublo8]

If you dont want to do a closed loop you can also look at a SCWD split between 2 return outlets. I would personally run the vortech though, however you also got the equipment in sight. So it's up to you.