Lil lost on CL

[NCreefwannabe]

Ok so I want to go CL with my next tank. But im kinda lost on how it works... Ill have the pump either on the floor or higher, no below level stuff. I was looking at getting one of the ocean runners pumps.

says it does 1700 gph at 12.5 feet of head. if i have this thing say 6 feet or less of head, would the gph be higher?

also as far as hooking it up. i wont drill the tank. its a RR 90 gallon. Could I just run a pipe from inside the tank to the pump, and have it plumbed back into the 4 corners of the tank??

 

[silverwolf72]

CL has no head loss only loss due to resistance. Over the top works just make sure you prime the lines before you turn on the pump. Use a power head and fill the lines would be the best way I can think of. Once all the air is pushed out you'll have a fully functiong CL.

 

[Ursus]

You seem to be doing the exact thing I am attempting. I am using the OR 6500 which is 1700 GPH with a max head of 12.5 ft. This doesn't mean it will do 1700 GPH at 12.5 ft, just that it can operate with a head of that amount. Im setting mine up on a 75 which has the same footprint as your 90, just not as tall.

Basically mine will work like this. Pump will sit on a ledge on the back of the stand. The intake will be attached to PVC that goes up and over the edge of the tank where it is capped off and drilled with many hole to suck water in. The water will leave the pump to my closed loop manifold where it will be put back in the aqaurium.

Here's some pic's

Manifold
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/xexhalex/HPIM0122.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Intake
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/xexhalex/HPIM0241.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Holes
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/xexhalex/HPIM0243.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

[Racing1]

Looks pretty good so far. I did the same kind of setup on my 75. The only thing I would change in your setup is the 90 elbows coming out of the manifold. I would either use 45's or angle the t's and use straight pipe to help reduce friction and give better flow. I would also put a few more holes in the intake. This will also cause less problems with fish getting near it and getting stuck to it from the suction.

 

[Ursus]

The 90's we're only temporary and I won't be including them now. I'm now going to angle the T's and use 3/4" loc-line fitting. I also might only use 4 of the 6 openings.

 

[compulou]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8248482#post8248482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ursus
The 90's we're only temporary and I won't be including them now. I'm now going to angle the T's and use 3/4" loc-line fitting. I also might only use 4 of the 6 openings.

Ursus, I did the same this for my CL and drilled a bunch of little holes into the PVC for the intake but what you could also do as I did is pick yourself up a pipe coupler 3/4 to 3/4 or 1" to 1" whatever size your using and then push the coupler in on one end (no glue needed as this will always be underwater and the suction will keep it on) then stick in a same size slip on strainer on the other end. Works great IMHO, espeacially since I use an 1190gph Gen-X PCX-40.

Here's a pic to the strainer so you know exactly what I'm talking about.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4080&N=2004+113786

 

[20 20]

You might want to consider drilling the back of your tank for the CL inputs. I was very leary of doing that myselft, but I took the plunge, and I'm glad I did. Bought a cheap glass drill bit off eBay. I also build a manifold like you are building, here is a thread with some details:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=877954

 

[NCreefwannabe]

i wont be drilling mine. id much rather just have a top manifold and over the top intake, than risk busting the tank. i cant afford to get another one lol.

Ill likely put slits on my pipe though, and not holes.

 

[Ursus]

I already had my original 75 crack when it was being drilled so I didn't want to mess with this one any further. My next tank will def. have closed loop intakes and returns drilled in it though.

 

[usmcsgt]

I have a pretty good idea of what needs done, so when I build mine you can just swing by.

 

[NCreefwannabe]

sounds like a plan.im doing some research on diferent styles of top manifolds now.