Closed Loop vs. Powerheads

thereefaquarist · 03/15/2009, 09:05 PM

Im interested in what the pros and cons are of both CL systems and systems that use powerheads. I like the clean look of the CL but it seems like the tunzes push a lot more water for the amount of electricity they use. I think there are products that increase the output of CL systems but I have not tested them. If I went with a CL system I would most likely use an Oceans Motions 4 way.

das75 · 03/15/2009, 09:35 PM

Deciding factor for me to go CL was simply don't like the looks of PHs in the tank.

Can't see why I would ever add a PH but if I was, but looking for some way to hide then such as the
Tunze rock

pb4ugoout · 03/15/2009, 09:36 PM

I know that there is more potential for problems with a CL. Plumbing leaks, bulkhead leaks, etc...

I like the idea of a CL more tho

125G Reefer · 03/15/2009, 10:34 PM

I like the PH, even though they are seen in the tank. CL cost more and are also noisier. Noise was the deciding factor for me.

waynem · 03/15/2009, 11:11 PM

It will come down to your own preference.

CL

Con= leaks, noise, set-up, upgrade, changes. safety.

pro= hidden, current trend.

PH

Con= Can be seen, out of fashion for some reason.

Pro= Easy, upgrade, non leaking, adaptability, quite. safe

Demonic · 03/16/2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by waynem
It will come down to your own preference.

CL

Con= leaks, noise, set-up, upgrade, changes. safety.

pro= hidden, current trend.

PH

Con= Can be seen, out of fashion for some reason.

Pro= Easy, upgrade, non leaking, adaptability, quite. safe

non leaking

Not true, I had a koralia leak voltage into my tank. Shocked the crap out of me all the time

waynem · 03/16/2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Demonic
non leaking

Not true, I had a koralia leak voltage into my tank. Shocked the crap out of me all the time

non leaking.....Water.....

CL can and do leak, mostly just drops but little drops can be become

beside you can always go 12v or earth probe. But your point is right.

CL

Con= leaks, noise, set-up, upgrade, changes. safety.wattage used

pro= hidden, current trend.

PH

Con= Can be seen, out of fashion for some reason. Can add stray voltage points of failure. heat

Pro= Easy, upgrade, non leaking, adaptability, quite. safe. low volt, low watt

awesomefam · 03/16/2009, 01:47 AM

I think if I was going to build an in-wall tank I would do CL but since that is not in the plans any time soon.

thereefaquarist · 03/16/2009, 08:17 PM

I have a sump room behind the tank so noise is not a problem and Im pretty sure I can build something that doesnt leak, what really matters to me is which one uses more electricity. I need a good flow to wattage ratio. If I go closed loop there will be a good 4' of head pressure so I was thinking PH were more efficient but I would love to go CL if this is not the case

sjm817 · 03/16/2009, 08:33 PM

For electricity use there is no comparison. Modern prop powerheads will deliver a ton of flow with far less power consumption than closed loops.

thereefaquarist · 03/16/2009, 08:49 PM

weird that no one brought that up in the pros and cons but I guess they dont live in CA.

scaryperson27 · 03/16/2009, 09:01 PM

I like closed loop due to the fact that it is hidden, but then you are stuck with somehting you may not want down the road. I like the fact that changing flow patterns with powerheads is as easy as making them face a different direction.

What if your corals grow out?

thereefaquarist · 03/16/2009, 09:11 PM

how much of a difference would there be in the power consumption, and what CL pump would most efficiantly push enough water for a 280g SPS tank?

GSMguy · 03/16/2009, 10:18 PM

Big difference you could use tunze or vortechs and have the whole tank rocking for around 100w or use CL use 300w and still struggle to turn get Enoch flow to the corals

Propeller type powerheads are far more efficent.

03/15/2009, 09:05 PM	#1
thereefaquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carmel, CA Posts: 226	Closed Loop vs. Powerheads Im interested in what the pros and cons are of both CL systems and systems that use powerheads. I like the clean look of the CL but it seems like the tunzes push a lot more water for the amount of electricity they use. I think there are products that increase the output of CL systems but I have not tested them. If I went with a CL system I would most likely use an Oceans Motions 4 way.

03/16/2009, 08:33 PM	#10
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	For electricity use there is no comparison. Modern prop powerheads will deliver a ton of flow with far less power consumption than closed loops. __________________ - Scott

03/16/2009, 10:18 PM	#14
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	Big difference you could use tunze or vortechs and have the whole tank rocking for around 100w or use CL use 300w and still struggle to turn get Enoch flow to the corals Propeller type powerheads are far more efficent. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

03/15/2009, 09:35 PM	#2
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	Deciding factor for me to go CL was simply don't like the looks of PHs in the tank. Can't see why I would ever add a PH but if I was, but looking for some way to hide then such as the Tunze rock

03/15/2009, 09:36 PM	#3
pb4ugoout Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 148	I know that there is more potential for problems with a CL. Plumbing leaks, bulkhead leaks, etc... I like the idea of a CL more tho

03/15/2009, 10:34 PM	#4
125G Reefer Moved On Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Glendale,AZ Posts: 913	I like the PH, even though they are seen in the tank. CL cost more and are also noisier. Noise was the deciding factor for me.

03/15/2009, 11:11 PM	#5
waynem Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: What day? , what time? hmm I might have been. Posts: 435	It will come down to your own preference. CL Con= leaks, noise, set-up, upgrade, changes. safety. pro= hidden, current trend. PH Con= Can be seen, out of fashion for some reason. Pro= Easy, upgrade, non leaking, adaptability, quite. safe

03/16/2009, 01:47 AM	#8
awesomefam Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UT Posts: 68	I think if I was going to build an in-wall tank I would do CL but since that is not in the plans any time soon.

03/16/2009, 08:17 PM	#9
thereefaquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carmel, CA Posts: 226	I have a sump room behind the tank so noise is not a problem and Im pretty sure I can build something that doesnt leak, what really matters to me is which one uses more electricity. I need a good flow to wattage ratio. If I go closed loop there will be a good 4' of head pressure so I was thinking PH were more efficient but I would love to go CL if this is not the case

03/16/2009, 08:49 PM	#11
thereefaquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carmel, CA Posts: 226	weird that no one brought that up in the pros and cons but I guess they dont live in CA.

03/16/2009, 09:01 PM	#12
scaryperson27 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Coral, F.L. Posts: 2,106	I like closed loop due to the fact that it is hidden, but then you are stuck with somehting you may not want down the road. I like the fact that changing flow patterns with powerheads is as easy as making them face a different direction. What if your corals grow out?

03/16/2009, 09:11 PM	#13
thereefaquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carmel, CA Posts: 226	how much of a difference would there be in the power consumption, and what CL pump would most efficiantly push enough water for a 280g SPS tank?