Has anyone drilled their megaflow for a closed loop?

[HippieSmell]

I'm installing a closed loop on my 58 rr that has a megaflow. Instead of drilling the back or using an over the back style, someone suggested drilling the overflow insead. It sounds like a really good idea, but I was wondering if anyone has actually done it.

 

[GSerg2]

Check this out. It might work...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=577113

 

[HippieSmell]

Thanks, but I have a panworld px-x that pumps around 1200 gph and I don't think the overflow could handle it.

 

[HippieSmell]

Just in case it's not totally clear as to what I'm asking, and to give myself a bump, the CL intake would be from a hole drilled in the middle of the overflow, then it would run up and over the back to the pump. Any suggestions or concerns are appreciated.

 

[MDM]

You don't need to drill, as suggested above,,I did it slightly different too...I'm using my sump as the closed section. I have my overflow drain into my sump, rio 3100 returns through a SCWD that sits in my overflow then out through 2 nozzles. It's the same concept as the pictures on the link above except i don't need another pump for the SCWD..

 

[HippieSmell]

Thanks, but I'm really trying to avoid having 1200 gph run through my overflow or through my sump. I want it to be a true closed loop.

 

[MDM]

good luck man,,,sounds like you might be going to far with drilling the flow....but what do i know,,,nothing......put some pics up once its done...c ya...

 

[Ramble On Rose]

Well the only problem I can think of is that the megaflows have the slits on the bottom, but that shouldn't really affect anything.
As long as the bulkhead that you use is wide enough (which it should be) to bridge the entire width of the megaflow, it should work. If you get it done, please post some pics cause I would like to see what it looks like.

 

[HippieSmell]

I was going to put it between the middle and bottom slits. A bulkhead should be wide enough, but the megaflow is slightly curved, so I don't know how hard it would be to create a tight seal. Any suggestions? Yeah, MDM, it is a lot of flow, but I've seen tanks with 20x turnover. And pics will definitely be taken if I do it.

 

[mufret]

Why would you need a tight seal? Wouldn't it only be drawing in water from around the bulkhead.

 

[GSerg2]

Only problem I can see is that the megaflows have two layers that are about 1/2 inch apart. The outside layer has the slits in it and the inside layer is solid all the way to the top. If you cut a hole on the inside layer, it will need to be sealed watertight or your tank will drain down to the level of the hole when the return pump shuts off.

 

[HippieSmell]

Only problem I can see is that the megaflows have two layers that are about 1/2 inch apart. The outside layer has the slits in it and the inside layer is solid all the way to the top. If you cut a hole on the inside layer, it will need to be sealed watertight or your tank will drain down to the level of the hole when the return pump shuts off.

I thought the water would only drain down to the top of the drain standpipe if the return pump shut off. Am I wrong? But yes, a tight seal would be important especially if there was a leak in the drain or return bulkead, because then it would definitely drain the tank down to that level.

 

[GSerg2]

That is true if your drain pipe and return pipe have watertights seal their the bases. On the instructions for my megaflow kit it said not to glue the pipes in place. And it's a good thing too because I have already pulled the drain several times during setup.

Without being glued, I notice mine will slowly leak off all the water trapped inside the overflow. It may be leaking other places too, like around the adjustable section, I can't tell for sure. So if there was a hole that kept letting in water from the tank, then it would keep slowly draining until it reached that level in the tank. At least on mine it would.

 

[MDM]

What kind of pump is in your sump ??

 

[HippieSmell]

Ahhh, I get it. Thanks. I really like this idea, but I still have to figure out a way to create a tight seal, bummer. Please chime in if you have an idea.

 

[mrbncal]

Just in case it's not totally clear as to what I'm asking, the CL intake would be from a hole drilled in the middle of the overflow, then it would run up and over the back to the pump. Any suggestions or concerns are appreciated.

If your gonna go over the back anyway why risk screwing up the overflow by drilling it. Just a thought, what about using one of the predrilled holes for the intake by using pvc and one of the cutouts in the overflow. Theres a really good thread on here for a over- the- back closed loop overflow using pvc that you should check out. It is waaayyyyy easier than what your planning. Also the extra pipe going into your overflowwould make it awfuly crowded in there. I'll try to find you the CL thread.

 

[mrbncal]

check this out.

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

 

[HippieSmell]

Thanks mrbncal, I've seen melev's before and that's what I'll probably end up doing. The reason I wanted to see if drilling the overflow could be done was so that the intake pvc wouldn't be visible. It's probably not worth going through all that hassle though.

 

[Chrisrush]

Hippie, I think that I was talking to someone about this on another thread. I think that if you could get a tight enough seal on the overflow, you'd be alright. You could put a bulkhead in and silicone the heck out of it. Where you planning on running the pipe up and over the tank? I was thinking of running mine down to the pre-drilled holes in the overflow, using one as a drain to the sump and one as a drain for the CL. Let me know if you decide to go this route, I'd be interested in seeing some pictures.

Chris

 

[GSerg2]

The reason I wanted to see if drilling the overflow could be done was so that the intake pvc wouldn't be visible.

That is easy enough, just have the intake come over the top and into your overflow. Pull the water from there. Make sure the intake pipe goes almost all the way to the bottom so that you don't get bubbles.

On second thought, I think you would have siphon problems with this setup. Bad idea, never mind.