using RR overflow for Closed Loop?

[sandalscout]

Hey all!

I am getting Kalied's RR 90 and have began wondering about setting up a closed loop. I am thinking about setting up an over the back return for both the sump and the closed loop, and doing so will leave one of the overflow holes open for a closed loop. If the sump inlet is higher in the overflow column, and the closed loop is feeding from the bottom (to prevent drawing air), would this work?

Maybe just a passing fancy, and I might actually need to drill holes, but I think this might actually work, and save me a headache in the process.

Thanks for any input!
Matthew

 

[DMBillies]

It should work as long as your input stays below the water and overflow can "handle" the additional flow. In other words, you'll be pushing a pretty significant amount of additional water over the overflow (I would assume almost double, if not more). If you can do that without pushing the water level in your tank too high or (depending on your design) pushing water over top of the teeth in your overflow, then I think you can go for it.

 

[sandalscout]

Good point, I hadn't thought of that. According to the overflow calculator then, it won't work. darn. The overflow is about 10-12 inches wide or so (corner overflow), and to simply get 900gph flow (only 10x turnover) I would need a 15" wide overflow. Looks like I might be drilling.

Thanks Brian!

 

[DMBillies]

Yeah, seems like you'd easily overwhelm it.

I know from experience that my 92 corner overflow cannot handle nearly as much as the rear overflow in my 90... I'd guess about 1000gph would put the water over the top of the teeth.

 

[SWINGRRRR]

http://www.dursostandpipes.com/PopularModifications/MegaFlowModification/tabid/70/Default.aspx

 

[sandalscout]

Thanks Swingrrrr,

that looks like that might work, I'll have to look into it.

If I go with a 2300-3000GPH pump, will I need more than 1 intake? Advised to have more than 1 in case 1 gets blocked? I was thinking 2 1.5" intakes on either side of the tank, about 6" about the sand bed, and then having 4 returns with Loc-Line. Seems like it'd be straight forward, just not sure about pipe sizes (run 1.5" to a wye and than 1.5" or maybe larger to the pump?).

Thanks again!