Closed loop strainer alternatives

Reefn00b · 08/26/2009, 07:56 AM

Guys im preparing to plumb my closed loop with 2 two inch bulkheads in the back glass. My problem is I didnt really want to use the strainers that i used on my last build. Is there something more low profile that doesnt stick out almost 3 inches from the back glass like these.

Any help would be appreciated. I know i could use some kind of mesh but would prefer something that I can screw in and will still keep snails out and wont suck my fish to the wall

Thoughts?

108reefer · 08/26/2009, 10:41 AM

depends on the pump you are using - referencing the sticky fish thing... if you plan on using a large pump - then you really need a larger strainer with lots of hole to not cause a suction. can't you cover the larger ones up with rock work?

Reefn00b · 08/26/2009, 12:28 PM

I will be using a Dart for the closed loop (2 holes in back of tank that feed the dart) which is what im using now on my 90. Im moving up to a 120 with the same setup. I dont really have any problems with suction using the strainer in the pic right now. in fact some of my fish sleep near them, I just hate that they stick out so far. I currently have them covered now but Im always scared about rock resting on them and causing problems. I thought if I used some that were low profile I wouldnt have that issue.

Reefn00b · 08/27/2009, 01:45 PM

Anyone else?

d2mini · 08/27/2009, 01:56 PM

I've been told to use plastic egg crate.

SWINGRRRR · 08/27/2009, 02:17 PM

http://www.flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cg...FittingScreens

HotHotHot · 08/27/2009, 02:48 PM

If you put a tee on the inside of the tank and have 2 strainers coming off the sides, it works well and doesn't take up much space. This also reduces the chance of fish or inverts getting stuck to it.

I also worked my rocks around it, which is OK, until you have to clean the strainers.

Kind of like this.

<- ->
T
-------------------

fightingobblers · 08/27/2009, 03:27 PM

look at the screens that flexpvc has, look in their bulkhead section. would post pics or a more direct link, but it's a pain from my phone.

d2mini · 08/27/2009, 03:35 PM

Those screens look severely restrictive.

fightingobblers · 08/27/2009, 03:48 PM

I have no problems at all with them. single 1.5inch intake going to a dart for my closed loop.

SWINGRRRR · 08/27/2009, 03:50 PM

I literally just threw 2 of the big screen ones away. I had no use for them and tried to give them away for a year and no one wanted them. Ill see if I can find them if you want them for shipping.

SWINGRRRR · 08/27/2009, 04:04 PM

I just dug threw 3 days of trash to find them. They are in their own bag so don't think they got dirty, BTW.

They are 1.5, natural color. Just LMK if you want them.

Reefn00b · 08/31/2009, 10:20 AM

The big screen ones? LIke the one in the pic i posted or the one of flexpvc?

Wippjas · 08/31/2009, 11:48 AM

These are pretty common on closed loop systems.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...duct%5Fid=2457

reeftank21 · 08/31/2009, 12:20 PM

What I did for use with a dart pump was use 1.5" pvc with a cross and a tee on top. Has (4) 1.5" inlets with a two pieces of eggcrate 90 degrees. Provides plenty of water for the pump and very little suction at any one inlet. Confusing I know but makes sense when you see it. I was going to use a strainer but this works much better.

08/26/2009, 07:56 AM	#1
Reefn00b Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 524 Blog Entries: 1	Closed loop strainer alternatives Guys im preparing to plumb my closed loop with 2 two inch bulkheads in the back glass. My problem is I didnt really want to use the strainers that i used on my last build. Is there something more low profile that doesnt stick out almost 3 inches from the back glass like these. Any help would be appreciated. I know i could use some kind of mesh but would prefer something that I can screw in and will still keep snails out and wont suck my fish to the wall Thoughts?

08/26/2009, 10:41 AM	#2
108reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: naples Posts: 355	depends on the pump you are using - referencing the sticky fish thing... if you plan on using a large pump - then you really need a larger strainer with lots of hole to not cause a suction. can't you cover the larger ones up with rock work? __________________ Matt the reefer Current Tank Info: Currently tankless.... Med school - need I say more...

08/27/2009, 01:56 PM	#5
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	I've been told to use plastic egg crate. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

08/27/2009, 02:17 PM	#6
SWINGRRRR Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pcola FL Posts: 2,504	http://www.flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cg...FittingScreens __________________ Have you ever tried to hold a monkey still if it is not drunk ~ insteng Current Tank Info: 45gal Rimless mixed reef--SWC 150BMK--2xMP10ESW--Giesemann 150W HQI

08/27/2009, 02:48 PM	#7
HotHotHot Obligate Coral Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 643	If you put a tee on the inside of the tank and have 2 strainers coming off the sides, it works well and doesn't take up much space. This also reduces the chance of fish or inverts getting stuck to it. I also worked my rocks around it, which is OK, until you have to clean the strainers. Kind of like this. <- -> T ------------------- __________________ It is NOT a dry heat! Click the little red house to read my 225 thread. Current Tank Info: 200gal NWV, 34ppt, 6" DSB, 750W MH, XM 20K, 220W VHO, CL, MP40W X2, chiller, GAC, Starting NeoZeo 7/18/09

08/26/2009, 12:28 PM	#3
Reefn00b Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 524 Blog Entries: 1	I will be using a Dart for the closed loop (2 holes in back of tank that feed the dart) which is what im using now on my 90. Im moving up to a 120 with the same setup. I dont really have any problems with suction using the strainer in the pic right now. in fact some of my fish sleep near them, I just hate that they stick out so far. I currently have them covered now but Im always scared about rock resting on them and causing problems. I thought if I used some that were low profile I wouldnt have that issue.

08/27/2009, 01:45 PM	#4
Reefn00b Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 524 Blog Entries: 1	Anyone else?

08/27/2009, 03:27 PM	#8
fightingobblers Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 204	look at the screens that flexpvc has, look in their bulkhead section. would post pics or a more direct link, but it's a pain from my phone. __________________ It's not worth doing, unless you do it right! Current Tank Info: For Sale

08/27/2009, 03:35 PM	#9
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Those screens look severely restrictive. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

08/27/2009, 03:48 PM	#10
fightingobblers Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 204	I have no problems at all with them. single 1.5inch intake going to a dart for my closed loop. __________________ It's not worth doing, unless you do it right! Current Tank Info: For Sale

08/27/2009, 03:50 PM	#11
SWINGRRRR Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pcola FL Posts: 2,504	I literally just threw 2 of the big screen ones away. I had no use for them and tried to give them away for a year and no one wanted them. Ill see if I can find them if you want them for shipping. __________________ Have you ever tried to hold a monkey still if it is not drunk ~ insteng Current Tank Info: 45gal Rimless mixed reef--SWC 150BMK--2xMP10ESW--Giesemann 150W HQI

08/27/2009, 04:04 PM	#12
SWINGRRRR Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pcola FL Posts: 2,504	I just dug threw 3 days of trash to find them. They are in their own bag so don't think they got dirty, BTW. They are 1.5, natural color. Just LMK if you want them. __________________ Have you ever tried to hold a monkey still if it is not drunk ~ insteng Current Tank Info: 45gal Rimless mixed reef--SWC 150BMK--2xMP10ESW--Giesemann 150W HQI

08/31/2009, 10:20 AM	#13
Reefn00b Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 524 Blog Entries: 1	The big screen ones? LIke the one in the pic i posted or the one of flexpvc?

08/31/2009, 11:48 AM	#14
Wippjas Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 123	These are pretty common on closed loop systems. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...duct%5Fid=2457

08/31/2009, 12:20 PM	#15
reeftank21 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 215	What I did for use with a dart pump was use 1.5" pvc with a cross and a tee on top. Has (4) 1.5" inlets with a two pieces of eggcrate 90 degrees. Provides plenty of water for the pump and very little suction at any one inlet. Confusing I know but makes sense when you see it. I was going to use a strainer but this works much better. __________________ What a mess. Current Tank Info: 240 gallon mixed reef