examples of large tanks with closed loop systems

[forddna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12110530#post12110530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by forddna
What's the benefit of having the flow coming from the bottom of the tank rather than the top?

Anybody????

 

[reefdna]

The main benifit is that most people have to neglect the flow from and across the sand to avoid sand storms etc. With the flow coming from the bottom you take that water and push it to the top. Same idea for building internal CL's under rock structures. The main two points of flow in your tank is to 1) Simulate random ocean currents and be able to carry nutrients to your coral and wastes away. 2) To keep detritus from settling and remaining stagnant and leave it suspended in the water column for it to mak it to the sump where it can be removed. This is especially hard under and behind rockwork

I use a Sequence hammerhead (rated @ 5520gph @ 4' head) with a 1.5" inlet and a 1.5" outlet that reduces to 3/4's only after it reaches the loc-line. There are 10 total locline outlets with an assortment of enductors, reducers. open Y's and just straight loc-line.

 

[Los]

Reefdna-

I'm in the process of designing the internals for my two closed loops running Oceans Motions via a Barracuda and Dart. Could you please describe how many 3/4" loc-lines you have per 1.5" outlet? Also, do you think the enductors are worthwhile or would you not do it again?

Tks,

Los

 

[marcrunner]

I have my 300 set up using a dart, om4 way. I went with 3 outlets, one at each top corner of the tank with the forth corner output being my return pump. The last om port was used 5" from the bottom of the tank. This was designed to keep detritus from settling. My advice if I had it to do over again? The flow is decent, a bit on the low side for a reef. Also, flow has a very narrow pattern, it helps to have plenty of different locline combos at your disposal to mix and match. I would also agree with many that having ouputs on the floor of the aquarium is very beneficial, something I will definately do next time. The last thing I would do, is to design the system to be accomodating to a second CL. For my next setup, I will plumb the tank with an extra closed loop. THis CL will not have a pump or OM when initially setup, but will remain unused until needed. If in the future I should need more flow, it will be as easy as purchasing another pump and 4 way and twisting the unions to "ON". A little bit redundant yes, but very convenient. I figure this would only set me back about $100 to do. Just an idea-Marc

 

[Los]

I'm setting up my 360 with two OM 4 ways as well. This sketch shows the flow

This is a CAD of the OM plumbing beneath the tank:

Thanks for the suggestions on the loc-line.

Cheers,

Los

 

[forddna]

What's the reason for having one outlet from each OM going to the opposite side?

 

[Los]

There are two separate closed loops running on different timers. If you are facing the front of the tank, one closed loop will create a clock-wise circular flow in the tank and the second CL will create a counter-clock wise flow. Occasionally both will be on and it will create a really random flow pattern.

The outlet going to the opposite side of the tank is pointed up at a 45 degree angle, thereby completing the circular motion by sending the flow in the opposite direction and up and over the others.

The design for the flow was created by Paul at Oceans Motions and Nick (rlxwcptn on this board).

Hope that helps

Los

 

[jlehigh]

The design of my 280 using an OM 8-way split into 16 inlets:

I ran in this configuration for 2 years and it worked wonderfully. I am replumbing a few of the inlets now to create more flow low in the tank but overall very cool outcome

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2379628980036440376oSYQfp

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1172460711036440376qSxqHO

 

[Glove]

jlehigh, the links dont work for me.

 

[jlehigh]

Sorry Glove: Try this

 

[Glove]

Thats pretty sweet jlehigh.
Is that a 6ft wide tank?

 

[jlehigh]

Thanks Glove. It is! 72X30X30

 

[Glove]

Are those 'revolutions' I see in the back corners?

 

[jlehigh]

Yup, at one point I had revolutions but their appearance wore on me so I switched them to loc-line.

 

[Glove]

What is the flow like with a dart pushing through ONE 1.5" bulkhead like?
I am thinking to drill all my returns through the bottom. The output from a Dart is 1.5" and I planned to use equal size bulkheads and then play with different stuff 'inside'.
I am also considering / debating splitting each return into 2 outputs, one in the front and one in the back, facing each other sort-of.
Confusing to explain. I might try to sketch something up.

 

[Angela Short]

I split my OM 4 way into 2 outlets off each of the 4 outs to give me a total of 8 outs and run a dart. The outs are all 1" spaflex and the dart just doesn't have enough GPH to push all 8. Instead of doing 2 outs at a time my GPH is split doing 4 outs each switch and it comes out kinda like a water hose in the tank. I could reduce the outlets or put penductors on but never have. A bigger pump would work great to split the 4 down to 8 for more random flow.

I copied the flow pattern Paul at OM recommended to give the water a rolling effect to keep the deitrus off the sandbed is why I had my closed loop drilled in the bottom of my tank. And the fact I wanted my tank to hug the wall real tight.