oceans motions set up

[xsdbs]

I am considering installing a CL system using the oceans motions 4 way unit in my tank. The issue I am having is that evryone seems to use the returns coming in from the bottom of the tank. My tank is already setup and has a DSB of about 3-4 inches as well as about 200 lbs of LR. MY concern is not really the draining of the tank, I can keep the water in a couple new trashcans (rubber maid) but more about the sand, I am concerned about the stirring up of the sand even I just move it over in the tank to drill my holes. I think that I may have issues with ammonia and nitrates. If I did this would I have to let the tank & water sit for a few days kind of like cycling the tank again? Is there other layouts that would work as well as coming from the bottom? Thanks in advance for any input on this. I want to do this right the first time.
Oh I might need to add that the tank is 150 gallon & dimensions are 60x24x24. Thanks again

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Just drill your holes in the back. No need to go through the bottom.

 

[xsdbs]

do you think there would be a optimum height off the sand bed? Also are 1.5 inch returns overkill? Thanks

 

[DaveMorris]

My CL setup uses a 1.5" drain drilled in the back of the tank approx. 6" up from the bottom. I have four 1" returns in the back at different heights hidden in the rock work. I ended up putting a 6" upright standpipe on my drain because my wrasse's were kicking up sand right under it and it would get sucked into the CL. That is a very bad thing for the OM 4way. I would put your intake at least 6" - 8" above the sand.

 

[xsdbs]

Thanks Dave,
unfortunately I have aready drilled a 1.5 inch hole in the side of my tank and about 6 inches down from the top. I did this before I was told about the oceans motions piece and has kind of stopped my progress a little because of my hearing about this piece and I like it but also want to use it in the best way. I am trying to find out the best placement for the returns. Thanks for your help and any other info that you might provide.
Robert

 

[dean1977]

You drilled the side? Is you tank in the wall?
You basically have three options. Go to OceansMotions.com then go to forums if you havent already and then go to the waterpiks section and even the planning section. Lots of good closed loop info there. You basically have three options
-Drill the back
-ditch the DSB and drill the bottom.
-Do all you plumbing over the top style with no holes.

I have (2) 4-way OM and 2 closed loops(both super dart gold) and all my plumbing is in the bottom of the tank with a very shallow sand bed.

 

[xsdbs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14975945#post14975945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dean1977
You drilled the side? Is you tank in the wall?
You basically have three options. Go to OceansMotions.com then go to forums if you havent already and then go to the waterpiks section and even the planning section. Lots of good closed loop info there. You basically have three options
-Drill the back
-ditch the DSB and drill the bottom.
-Do all you plumbing over the top style with no holes.

I have (2) 4-way OM and 2 closed loops(both super dart gold) and all my plumbing is in the bottom of the tank with a very shallow sand bed.

Hello Dean1977,
yes I drilled the upper rear side because the tank is built into a wall I put up in my basement and I have a shelf to the side where I thought I would mount my pump for the CL, I then "was" going to run the 1.5 inch return up to the top and then across the top and then into the tank. this was all before I was introduced to this piece on another forum so now I am at a stall and wishing I didn't listen to the lfs (again).
If I was to take the sand out to do my drilling, would I be able to reuse it by placing it in the tank and let it sit for a few days? Thanks for any help with this.

 

[dean1977]

How long has the sand been in the tank? It will probably fine, but its prolly best to keep it with the water if you can with something to keep it from getting stagnant. basically the more established the bed the more die off you will get and the more you need to keep it alive.
is that hole on the side for feeding the pump? what pump?
make sure the bottom is not tempered.
make sure the holes you drill are the right size for the bulkheads. I really like hayward bulkheads. i got them from bulkreefsupply.com
You can always do 2 return through the back glass and 2
returns over the top so you have 2 high and 2 low, no sand removal.
The other thing is the suction power of the intake, you will need a good strainer to keep from sucking up fish and inverts.

 

[xsdbs]

Hello Dean,
Just got a chance to get back here. Thanks for the info. The sand has been established for about 2 yrs now. The hole that I have put in the tank is for the output to the pump. The pump I have is a Danner mfg piece called PondMAster HY26 which is a 2600gph pump. Yeah I am thinkink of just going thru the back and over the top. This should be less problems. I could drain & keep the water in a container and not have to remove any sand, maybe just shift a little and lay the lines into the sand. Thanks,
Robert

 

[das75]

have you looked at OM site (WaterPix forum here) , inlets on bottoms, sides and over the top.

 

[xsdbs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14982632#post14982632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by das75
have you looked at OM site (WaterPix forum here) , inlets on bottoms, sides and over the top.

yes I was there today and also talked to Paul over @ OM. I was trying to get some input from people that are using the piece instead of sales people but I also found Paul to be very helpful and I placed my order today for the OM 4 Way. My biggest issue was spending near $400 on something and not knowing more about it. Thanks everyone that posted information.