GPH Flow Question

[Gieser]

I am starting a 250 gallon reef. It is an "L" shape tank that will have 2 external overflows. I am thinking of having holes drilled for 2 closed loop systems. Why 2? Incase I loose one pump, I don't loose the flow completely. I am trying to get advice on how much flow those pumps should create. I am thinking the filtration pump should be about 1,500 - 2,000 gph, while both closed loop pumps should be 2,500 + gph. Right now I am thinking of the ReeFlo pumps. Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

[kgross]

The ReeFlo pumps are great closed loop pumps. If you went with two of the dart pumps you could have good flow depending on how you plumb them and where the outlets are.

What are you planning on keeping in the tank, that is what will dictate what flow you need

Why 1,500+ through your filtration system? That is a lot of flow for a sump. I would suggest slowing it down to 1000 gph max.

 

[Gieser]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14397257#post14397257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kgross
The ReeFlo pumps are great closed loop pumps. If you went with two of the dart pumps you could have good flow depending on how you plumb them and where the outlets are.

What are you planning on keeping in the tank, that is what will dictate what flow you need

Why 1,500+ through your filtration system? That is a lot of flow for a sump. I would suggest slowing it down to 1000 gph max.

Thanks about the 1,500. I am happy to slow that down. I can get a smaller pump, I just want to make sure I get fairly quiet pumps and I have heard the ReeFlo Darts and they seem quiet. We will have hard and soft corals, clams, fish, etc. I believe there will be 2 outlets on the back side of the tank, and 6-8 inlets. I am seriously considering 2 Oceans Motion 4-Way on the two closed loops. Here is the thread about us getting started and what we will be doing. Nothing too interesting, yet.

 

[kgross]

The OM valves are great for closed loops.

Other thread looks great.

But I would suggest rather than 1 800 watt heater, get 2 400 watt, that way if the heater fails, it might not bake the tank if it fails on, or freeze the tank if it fails off.

Kim

 

[Gieser]

Great idea, I didn't even think of that! What do you think about the GPH flow needed for the closed loops? Would the ReeFlo Darts be enough IYO?? Do you know anything about Velocity pumps?

 

[kgross]

I think the darts would be great pumps for that. Velocity pumps are good quite pumps and would make a good return pump.

One nice thing about using the OM, is that you can actually use less total flow, since you will have more flow out of each outlet as it opens up, moving more water in a small area of the tank, but when you move to the next outlet, it is in a different area. I think it would be great. If you get the OM with the 2 inch inlet, and 1.5 inch outlet and go with I think it is drum number 2, so you have 2 outlets open at a time. That would give you around 1600 gph out each outlet, so with 4 outlets moving that much and changing around the tank it would be great.

With the L shape, you would could setup the outlets of each closed loop to treat each end of the L as a seperate tank, giving really good flow.

It scale it back, I have a 180 with a dart closed loop, OM 4 way, and it is great, I have an outlet in each corner of the tank, and the water movement goes all the way acrost the tank before it switches the next outlet. I think it is great.....

Kim

 

[Gieser]

Thank you, Kim. That information is VERY helpful!!!

 

[kgross]

You are very welcome.

Please keep us updated as you build.

Kim

 

[Gieser]

Here is the first idea for plumbing and flow.

 

[kgross]

I think 5 outlets on your velocity pump are a bit much. With that tank, I would do 2 outlets with flow accelerators on them. You could put them both together in the corner of the L pointing at each end, or in each end pointing to the center. But with 5 outlets, you will only have 200-300 gph out each outlet.

Kim

 

[Gieser]

That makes sense. I like that idea because I felt there was too many outlets. I will add that to my second release!

 

[Gieser]

I made the change to the returns as follows.

 

[Gieser]

Thanks to Paul at OM, a real pleasure to talk to and VERY helpful!!! THANKS PAUL!!! Here is an update on the flow. The returns for the closed loop actually will be in the rear facing forward, and in the front facing up toward the rear. The return system will push water from front to back. The drain for the closed loop is not in there, yet...they will e 2 "T" shaped pieces with 4 nozzles on each against the back walls to draw the water down the back of the tank. More to come.

 

[Gieser]

Here is the lay out...

 

[Gieser]

I credit this design of water movement to Paul at Oceans Motions. The current we are designing for the reef will keep everything moving in a circular true current motion. Having 2 closed loop systems, we can encourage the power and placement of the heads to keep water pushing all settlement or waste, even from behind rocks, into the current for evacuation. Thoughts welcome...