Closed Loops vs Power Heads

jmstreithorst · 05/27/2008, 12:30 PM

A friend of mine said that closed loops are not recommended any more. He said that you should be able to solve all water circulation issues with powerheads. The clear benefit of the power heads would be not drilling holes in the tank. Any thoughts about that?

BeesGoneWild · 05/27/2008, 12:35 PM

If I had the patience and time I would replace all my powheads with a closed loop. so I think its more a matter of personal prefrence more than anything.

awestruck · 05/27/2008, 12:46 PM

I recently switched tanks and went from all powerheads to a closed loop. I like the closed loop much better than the former because there are fewer "gadgets" in the tank.

HumanIMDB · 05/27/2008, 12:50 PM

The only real difference is "presence in the tank"...with Closed Loop all you see are the bulkheads in the tank.

Both are good a generating water flow and both can be sufficiently randomized.

The thing I like about using Powerheads is that I can easily move a powerhead if I need to. You are somewhat limited with closed loops in this regard.

ricks · 05/27/2008, 01:14 PM

For a successful SPS system, I feel that both will benefit your system.. Each has it's own purpose, and drawbacks

With a CL you can get flow behind your rockwork, a powerhead this would require moving your rockwork to clean.

With a powerhead you can change positions when needed, with CL not possible..

As your colonies, grow you will have to add flow. I run a Hammerhead with (4) inlet CL behind rockwork. With (3) 1" seaswirls, on Iwaki 100's. My chiller returns with Iwaki 100 middle back pointing down to prevent detritus from building under rocks. After that I have (6) 6201 tunze on a multicontroller for additional flow.

I say use both..

Happy Reefing

jtma508 · 05/27/2008, 02:26 PM

I designed my system with a closed loop and an OM 4-way. I have 2 CL returns in the low front corners (each adjustable) and 2 in the upper rear corners (also adjustable). The 2 rear returns use OM dual omni nozzles.

The best design feature of the CL is that I plumbed a drain Tee off the CL drain line to facilitate water changes. I also plumbed a double Tee off the return line (each fitted with quick disconnects). I use these to run a PO4 reactor, GAC reactor and Ca reactor (since they all take very little flow). I can also easily connect an external canister (NuClear w/ pleated 25u or 100u filter) to polish the water if needed. I just turn the 4-way valves off and open the CL auxiliary line wide open. Works like a charm.

jthao · 05/27/2008, 02:43 PM

closed loops are nice. powerheads are nice. both equally cool. I originally set up my 180g with two closed loops, one with a dart through an om4way, and the other with an iwaki 40rxt through two seaswirls. after plumbing everything and letting it run for about a week, the om4way got jammed and I had to take it apart to clean. PITA!! After that, I just decided to get some tunzes. The tunzes are really really bulky though!!! take up like half my tank!!haha.
I think that ricks is right, if you have both it'll probably be way cool. I was thinking of adding a closed loop to my current system, but got lazy and didn't want to go through all the plumbing again.

customcolor · 05/27/2008, 05:28 PM

the big diff with closed loops and power heads is heat! less powerheads in the tank the less heat is put into the tank.

jthao
how to fix your om so it dont stick is cut a circle out of a container lid that you would get from the deli at your local food store(its thin and slick) and put it imbetween the drum and inside top of the om. mine used to stick every couple weeks and now has ben running great for 3-4 months with out cleaning!

05/27/2008, 12:30 PM	#1
jmstreithorst Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Brazil Posts: 23	Closed Loops vs Power Heads A friend of mine said that closed loops are not recommended any more. He said that you should be able to solve all water circulation issues with powerheads. The clear benefit of the power heads would be not drilling holes in the tank. Any thoughts about that?

05/27/2008, 12:46 PM	#3
awestruck Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,572	I recently switched tanks and went from all powerheads to a closed loop. I like the closed loop much better than the former because there are fewer "gadgets" in the tank. __________________ I received the best gift ever today: My son told me that he loves me. Current Tank Info: 65g. w/20g. sump; Reef Octopus Skimmer; (2) x 150w. MH and (2) x 65w. pc. sump-mixed reef

05/27/2008, 12:50 PM	#4
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	The only real difference is "presence in the tank"...with Closed Loop all you see are the bulkheads in the tank. Both are good a generating water flow and both can be sufficiently randomized. The thing I like about using Powerheads is that I can easily move a powerhead if I need to. You are somewhat limited with closed loops in this regard. __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

05/27/2008, 02:43 PM	#7
jthao Super Saiyan Join Date: May 2007 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,522	closed loops are nice. powerheads are nice. both equally cool. I originally set up my 180g with two closed loops, one with a dart through an om4way, and the other with an iwaki 40rxt through two seaswirls. after plumbing everything and letting it run for about a week, the om4way got jammed and I had to take it apart to clean. PITA!! After that, I just decided to get some tunzes. The tunzes are really really bulky though!!! take up like half my tank!!haha. I think that ricks is right, if you have both it'll probably be way cool. I was thinking of adding a closed loop to my current system, but got lazy and didn't want to go through all the plumbing again. __________________ Elos 160xl \| Profilux 3.1Nex ultimate \| BK DC200 \| (5)Mitras 6200s \|(4) Vortech MP40QD \| 3155 ATO \| Schuran CaRx \| Carbon-Doser \| Red Dragon return \| 500G Starphire FOWLR \| BK SM200 \| (6) Tunze 6105

05/27/2008, 05:28 PM	#8
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,879	the big diff with closed loops and power heads is heat! less powerheads in the tank the less heat is put into the tank. jthao how to fix your om so it dont stick is cut a circle out of a container lid that you would get from the deli at your local food store(its thin and slick) and put it imbetween the drum and inside top of the om. mine used to stick every couple weeks and now has ben running great for 3-4 months with out cleaning! __________________ PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way

05/27/2008, 12:35 PM	#2
BeesGoneWild Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Eastern Pennsylvannia Posts: 1,064	If I had the patience and time I would replace all my powheads with a closed loop. so I think its more a matter of personal prefrence more than anything.

05/27/2008, 01:14 PM	#5
ricks Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: portland,or Posts: 906	For a successful SPS system, I feel that both will benefit your system.. Each has it's own purpose, and drawbacks With a CL you can get flow behind your rockwork, a powerhead this would require moving your rockwork to clean. With a powerhead you can change positions when needed, with CL not possible.. As your colonies, grow you will have to add flow. I run a Hammerhead with (4) inlet CL behind rockwork. With (3) 1" seaswirls, on Iwaki 100's. My chiller returns with Iwaki 100 middle back pointing down to prevent detritus from building under rocks. After that I have (6) 6201 tunze on a multicontroller for additional flow. I say use both.. Happy Reefing

05/27/2008, 02:26 PM	#6
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	I designed my system with a closed loop and an OM 4-way. I have 2 CL returns in the low front corners (each adjustable) and 2 in the upper rear corners (also adjustable). The 2 rear returns use OM dual omni nozzles. The best design feature of the CL is that I plumbed a drain Tee off the CL drain line to facilitate water changes. I also plumbed a double Tee off the return line (each fitted with quick disconnects). I use these to run a PO4 reactor, GAC reactor and Ca reactor (since they all take very little flow). I can also easily connect an external canister (NuClear w/ pleated 25u or 100u filter) to polish the water if needed. I just turn the 4-way valves off and open the CL auxiliary line wide open. Works like a charm.