Even stupidor..or er.? ....More stupid!

[mikencarol]

This is alot worse than jhh's question cause I didn't ask it while I was commenting on his stupid question. I can just see that British sounding gent shaking his head now, but nevertheless I do have a question. I keep reading the term "closed loop system" in these books. Does that mean only one tank hooked ito a sump/filter or what? Anthony Calfo and Eric Borneman use the term several times in their books and I'm not sure exactly what they are talking about..Can someone help me???!!

 

[pwhitby]

closed loop is a pump connected to the tank in such a way that at no point is the water flow exposed to the air.

So, a hole in the back of the tank fed to a pump that blows water back to another hole in the tank.

closed means "closed to the air."

 

[jkhudson]

I learned a long time ago the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask. You don't learn in silence.

 

[Lytehouse]

There is no end to the questions I have ask,

BTW, that's a pretty good question...

 

[Lightsluvr]

...and a pretty good answer... :idea:

I always thought closed loop meant that the loop system lacked a sump, and circulated tank water in a "loop". Never thought about the "air" aspect.

Thanks again, English sounding gentleman.

LL

 

[gregzbobo]

Hmmm, the display is exposed to air!

 

[mikencarol]

Thanks...

Thanks...

Thanks guys..that helps. Now some of that stuff about a closed loop makes a lot more sense. I usually see it when they are talking about systems way bigger than mine, but I always wondered and was just to stupid to ask. Anyway, Thanks Again!!

 

[Lightsluvr]

Cl

Cl

There are many different kinds of closed loops. Paul gave me sage advice that if the surface of the water is moving, the water on the tank bottom will follow. So I concentrated efforts to achieve a lot of surface motion.
I inherited the plans of another reefer when I bought my tank. I had to guess how he planned to design his closed loop based on the bulkhead holes drilled in the tank's bottom. It's probably nothing like he planned, but it seems to work. Here is the configuration for the two intakes covered by large strainers, and five returns with flow accelerators:

Testing the loop during the tank's freshwater test:

Here is the "skeleton" of the closed loop which connects the returns to the output of the Hammerhead Gold pump. It really is a closed loop:

Initial Aquascaping to disguise the returns and intakes:

The "final" product with hidden closed loop:

All of the intakes and strainers are now nicely covered with carolline, so even if you are looking for them, they are hard to spot in the aquascaping... Just one way to do it.

Here's a link to a great study on the design and installation of a closed loop that doesn't require holes in the bottom of the tank. (Start at post #134) Probably makes for better sleep at night: :lol:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1423726&page=6

The tank should look familiar. :idea:

LL

 

[mikencarol]

The Cat?

The Cat?

George, thanks for the pics and info..that help me understand. I am still a little confussed about "WHY" a closed loop..considering filtration, and dosing and skimming, ect. But I'm gonna read more and ask more questions. Speaking of questions..Did the Cat make it out OK???!! Thanks to all 4 the help.

 

[Lightsluvr]

George, thanks for the pics and info..that help me understand. I am still a little confussed about "WHY" a closed loop..considering filtration, and dosing and skimming, ect. But I'm gonna read more and ask more questions. Speaking of questions..Did the Cat make it out OK???!! Thanks to all 4 the help.

As you have probably read, it is mandatory in marine aquariua to have a lot of flow - water circulation. This keeps the water oxygenated, allows food to be carried to coral and animals, and waste to be carried away in the water column.

Many folks accomplish the flow through use of power head pumps of various sizes, shapes and descriptions. Generally speaking, the greater the flow, the larger and more intrusive the powerheads become.

The closed loop replaces some (or all) of the powerheads by moving a lot of water with an external pump and plumbing. This usually results in a cleaner looking tank with more swimming room for your critters...

My CL pump is rated at 5500gph. The Flow accelerators are supposed to amplify that flow even more. I added a pair of Vortech pumps (which have the motor outside the glass) for an additional 6000gph. That's roughly 30x flow in the display tank, not counting the return pump.

That's the short version.

The Tabby cat made in an out several times before water was added to the tank.

J.J. the "fish cat" was a little more persistent. After he took a bath in fresh water, he decided walking along the slippery wet Eurobrace wasn't that much fun...

LL

 

[mikencarol]

Thanks George

Thanks George

Thanks George..So 30X my water volume is what I am shooting for..right? This stuff is making more sense all the time..Thats why the hole in the overflow is usually larger..to get more water out...to get more filtered water back in?!:spin2:

 

[Lightsluvr]

I'm not suggesting 30x is the magic number - depends on what type of coral you'll be keeping and other factors. Read some of the ReefKeeping Magazine online archives - great resources from reliable authors, like our own Dr. Paul.

LL

 

[MarshaW]

You cats seem fascinated. ) Fun for them! I love your tank.

 

[skiformance]

I'm not suggesting 30x is the magic number - depends on what type of coral you'll be keeping and other factors. Read some of the ReefKeeping Magazine online archives - great resources from reliable authors, like our own Dr. Paul.

LL

very true, i'm running 46x turnover not including the return