What do you know about closed loops?

[MCary]

I'm setting up a 240 gallon (24"Wx32"Hx72"L) SPS tank. I have decided to go with a closed loop on Oceansmotions instead of Tunze's.

What should I consider when drilling holes and planning outlets?
Should I get a 4 or an 8 outlets, price is not much different?
I'm planning on a sequence pump, are they very noisy and are they any good?
Is 3600 gph enough or go larger?
I really have no idea where to put the outlets, I'm sure I'll figure it out, but if someone already knows I won;t have to reinvent the wheel.

This will start as a BB unless I decide afterwards it sucks. So I plan an outlet, either a spray bar type or fan nozzle shooting under the rocks from behind. Good idea?

Thanks, help and/or experiance appreciated. Tanks going under the drill this weekend.

Mike

 

[xtrstangx]

Get a big Sequence pump. More than the Dart.

4 holes is fine, 8 is better. With 8 holes, you'll be able to direct your holes more. If you only have 4 holes without Tunzes in a 240g (especially BB), you will not have anywhere near enough flow, IMO). I would go 8 holes with a 8-way being run by 4000-5000 GPH Sequence pump. Put a few Tunzes in there or some penductors/eductors being run by a pressure rated pump.

 

[MCary]

I see you have a sequence dart. Too weak you say? Thanks good info. Anyone know how noisy the Hammerhead and Barracuda are?

I shouldn't need a pressure rated pump on a closed loop. With the pressure of the water coming down equaling the pressure leaving there isn't any static head pressure. Just friction pressure from elbows and pipe.

Mike

 

[jjackson]

he meant for an eductor... a pressure rated pump is better.

 

[xtrstangx]

MCary.. I think the Dart should be OK for my 120g.. but I'm also supplementing with 1640 GPH from 2 Seios and 600ish on my return.

If you are trying to eliminate powerheads, which it sounds like you are.. get the biggest pump you can. You can't really have too much flow, especially in BB.

The pressure rated pump is for eductors/penductors.. they need a pressure rated pump otherwise the flow through them won't be right.

 

[MCary]

I think I may have an idea. I go with the 5000 gph pump and a OM 8 outlet. I'll install bulkeads toward the front of the tank on the bottom facing up towards the overflows, bulkhead in the back shooting under the rocks and the a couple over the back shooting down over the rocks. Then I still have 2 outlets for what ever. The debris should get blown out from under the rocks and then blown up toward the overflow then the water should be then shot down. Kind of a cycle or stirring motion.The other two outlets can be used to address dead spots. If I still need some flow I can address that with Seio's or the cheaper Tunze's.

Might work.

Mike