powerheads or closed loop

tankdrunk · 03/13/2014, 07:51 PM

Hello all. Question for everyone...I'm about to start the build on a new 180 gallon tank. Debating between cluttering it up with powerheads or cleaning up the look with a closed loop. Wondering what the feedback is from those running closed loops now? I've got powerheads running in my other two tanks now, and they work well, but I'd like the look of this tank to be "cleaner" since it's going to be the focal piece of the room (like an aquarium in any room isn't the focus). I'm just worried about getting enough flow in this size tank with powerheads and not having a bunch of them in there. Thanks in advance.

All__talk · 03/13/2014, 09:05 PM

I think with today's controllable power heads you can create lots of flow with minimal hardware. But I'm with you I'd rather see none of that in my tank. My issue with closed loop it two fold, leak/failure points low in the tank potentially draining the tank to the bulkhead level. And power consumption, its gonna take a lot more watts to equal the flow of power heads.

Gary

davocean · 03/13/2014, 09:10 PM

I don't care for loops anymore because if that pump fails, you just lost the heart of your system.

ca1ore · 03/13/2014, 09:29 PM

I use a closed loop to augment my vortech pumps but I'd not use it as the sole form of circulation. Besides the reliance on a single pump (in most cases), simply is not an effective way to generate broad flow without burning a fortune in electricity.

tankdrunk · 03/18/2014, 07:38 PM

so for all of you running power heads then, what are your recommendations for the least intrusive into the tank, with the most flow, and high efficiency?

mfinn · 03/18/2014, 07:44 PM

I'm starting a new build. A 240 gallon and I'm going with a Reeflow Snapper/Dart hybrid.
I'm hoping to make my tank builder happy and not clutter up his creation with my Tunzes. lol

I could be happy too

rad3dad · 03/18/2014, 09:01 PM

I just built a 125 with my first closed loop. I definitely like not seeing any equipment or power heads in the tank, and wires running all over the place. I cant imagine how many I would need to create the flow I'm getting from my iwaki.

RayL · 03/18/2014, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankdrunk

so for all of you running power heads then, what are your recommendations for the least intrusive into the tank, with the most flow, and high efficiency?

Vortech mp40 or mp60

tkeracer619 · 03/18/2014, 09:38 PM

Vortechs. Lowest profile and no stupid wires in the tank.

03/13/2014, 07:51 PM	#1
tankdrunk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Schuylkill Haven, PA Posts: 7	powerheads or closed loop Hello all. Question for everyone...I'm about to start the build on a new 180 gallon tank. Debating between cluttering it up with powerheads or cleaning up the look with a closed loop. Wondering what the feedback is from those running closed loops now? I've got powerheads running in my other two tanks now, and they work well, but I'd like the look of this tank to be "cleaner" since it's going to be the focal piece of the room (like an aquarium in any room isn't the focus). I'm just worried about getting enough flow in this size tank with powerheads and not having a bunch of them in there. Thanks in advance. __________________ when some people say they have the bug, they are coming down with something...when I say I've got it, it means another aquarium project is coming! Current Tank Info: 55g reef, 90g reef, 180 about to start buildign

03/13/2014, 09:05 PM	#2
All__talk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Thorp, WA Posts: 124	I think with today's controllable power heads you can create lots of flow with minimal hardware. But I'm with you I'd rather see none of that in my tank. My issue with closed loop it two fold, leak/failure points low in the tank potentially draining the tank to the bulkhead level. And power consumption, its gonna take a lot more watts to equal the flow of power heads. Gary __________________ One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Current Tank Info: 46G Bowfront

03/13/2014, 09:10 PM	#3
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I don't care for loops anymore because if that pump fails, you just lost the heart of your system. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/13/2014, 09:29 PM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I use a closed loop to augment my vortech pumps but I'd not use it as the sole form of circulation. Besides the reliance on a single pump (in most cases), simply is not an effective way to generate broad flow without burning a fortune in electricity. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/18/2014, 07:38 PM	#5
tankdrunk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Schuylkill Haven, PA Posts: 7	so for all of you running power heads then, what are your recommendations for the least intrusive into the tank, with the most flow, and high efficiency? __________________ when some people say they have the bug, they are coming down with something...when I say I've got it, it means another aquarium project is coming! Current Tank Info: 55g reef, 90g reef, 180 about to start buildign

03/18/2014, 07:44 PM	#6
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I'm starting a new build. A 240 gallon and I'm going with a Reeflow Snapper/Dart hybrid. I'm hoping to make my tank builder happy and not clutter up his creation with my Tunzes. lol I could be happy too __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

03/18/2014, 09:01 PM	#7
rad3dad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central IL Posts: 175	I just built a 125 with my first closed loop. I definitely like not seeing any equipment or power heads in the tank, and wires running all over the place. I cant imagine how many I would need to create the flow I'm getting from my iwaki. __________________ The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.

03/18/2014, 09:38 PM	#9
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Vortechs. Lowest profile and no stupid wires in the tank. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.