Tank Plumbing Redesign

[JJPicardo]

After getting feedback from most of you, I have a new plumbing idea...

Current...
Mag 12-Return from Sump
ASM G3 Skimmer
2 MaxiJet 1200 (In display)
1 MaxiJet 900 (In display)

Idea....
*Since my skimmer is rated at 250-300 GPH, I really don't need the flowrate of a Mag12 at my Sump Return. Instead I think I am going to use a Mag5 or Mag7.

*Use my Mag12 coupled with a Penductor and an Oceans Motions 4-Way to create a "non-drilled" closed loop.

*When creating a closed loop... would it be possible to draw water from the overflow boxes to the pump?? This way I wouldn't have to see a piece of PVC in the display drawing water.

*Is this a good idea in general???

 

[dwdenny]

I don't think you can get enough water to a Mag 12 from an overflow(maybe and lifereef one). A closed loop is just that the water goes from the tank to the pump then back to the tank no sump in between the pump and overflow. Right now you have ton of water flowing through sump. How big is your tank? Should only have about 3-5 times your display going through your sump. Anything is possible but I don't think I would try a mag 12 on overflows maybe a little smaller pump like 9.5 or something like that. I ahve also heard the Mags do leak when run external so make sure you have it in a small rubbermaid container just in case. HTH

 

[JJPicardo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9022264#post9022264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwdenny
I don't think you can get enough water to a Mag 12 from an overflow(maybe and lifereef one). A closed loop is just that the water goes from the tank to the pump then back to the tank no sump in between the pump and overflow. Right now you have ton of water flowing through sump. How big is your tank? Should only have about 3-5 times your display going through your sump. Anything is possible but I don't think I would try a mag 12 on overflows maybe a little smaller pump like 9.5 or something like that. I ahve also heard the Mags do leak when run external so make sure you have it in a small rubbermaid container just in case. HTH

I'm running a 125G display and a 55G Sump...

I really don't like the "look" of Melev's closed loop. Too much PVC in the tank... Is there a better option then for the closed loop using the equipment I've described?

 

[dwdenny]

What type of overflows do you have? The best way is to drill but sense the tank is up and running that would make it hard to do(not impossible). If you have two overflows like the lifereef ones plumb them together in the middle with 2" or so PVC(so to make one inlet to the pump) that might work. Then you would have to have another to get the flow to your sump at about 375 to 625gph(3X-5X tank volume) Use the head calculator on the main page http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php to determine what pump you need for the return that you desire. HTH

 

[JJPicardo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9022693#post9022693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwdenny
What type of overflows do you have? The best way is to drill but sense the tank is up and running that would make it hard to do(not impossible). If you have two overflows like the lifereef ones plumb them together in the middle with 2" or so PVC(so to make one inlet to the pump) that might work. Then you would have to have another to get the flow to your sump at about 375 to 625gph(3X-5X tank volume) Use the head calculator on the main page http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php to determine what pump you need for the return that you desire. HTH

How would you plumb a closed loop and a sump into the two overflow boxes then??

 

[dwdenny]

Here is a link to the lefreef overflows http://www.lifereef.com/siphon.html from what I understand they will almost do what they are rated for. They are a little on the expensive side but these are the ones that I was going to use but I ended up drilling my tank instead. You could use the single for the sump and the dual for the closed loop. Just plumb the dual to like a single 2" PVC and then to the pump.