How to plumb a 180

TracyZeuner · 06/22/2006, 04:20 PM

I need help with plumbing my 180 AGA. It has a center overflow. There are 2 drains, both 1.5in and the return is 1in. I was thinking of going with 2 pumps. One for the return and one for a closed loop. Can I do a closed loop on a tank that is not drilled in the back?(the only holes are at the bottom of the overflow)

If there is anyone who has done this before I would really like your input. BTW, how much water can my overflow handle, and what size pumps should I get?
Thanks

bertoni · 06/22/2006, 04:53 PM

What are the dimensions of the overflow?

I think I gave you a pointer to a closed loop design in your other thread?

TracyZeuner · 06/22/2006, 05:19 PM

I think we crossed paths.Thank you for the link. Is there another way without all the pvc showing? Do I have to use a closed loop?

Can I just have the one return and just get some power heads for more circulation in the tank?
The overflow is a trapazoid shape.
It is 17inches by 9 and is a little over 6inches front to back

bertoni · 06/22/2006, 05:25 PM

You don't have to use a closed loop. Some Tunze Streams or Seio pumps (powerheads) might be another good approach to consider.

One return pump is fine.

This calculator gives recommended overflow sizes:

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php

For 500 gph, 8 inches of teeth should be fine.

TracyZeuner · 06/22/2006, 05:36 PM

What is the calculater telling me?
So I can use one pump for the return and then use powerheads inside the tank?
If I have a 180 with a 60gal sump, what size pump should I use?

My LFS told me about the 2 pumps. He said to use the second pump and attach it to a "elbow" and hang it in one of the corners of the tank.

TracyZeuner · 06/22/2006, 05:37 PM

If you count all 3 sides of the overflow, iut is about 25 inches of teeth.(8 each on to sides and 9 across the front)

bertoni · 06/22/2006, 06:12 PM

The second pump idea is one way of generating more flow, if I understand correctly. It's the same as using a powerhead.

Your overflow will handle more than you want to push through the sump. I'd target 600-800 gph or so through the tank, so a pump in that range should be fine. Be sure to include the head loss calculations. I don't know much about pumps, so I'll defer on that subject. I use an Eheim pump for that purpose, and it seems okay. I think you mentioned having the 1260, and that seems reasonable to me.

TracyZeuner · 06/22/2006, 09:39 PM

I just talked to the LFS and he said the overflow will handle 1500-1800 GPH but you think that is way too much, why? Just curios.

So just figure out my head loss and get a pump that fits the 6-800 gallon range.

I think I am going to go with one pump and a couple of power heads in the tank and position them in the corners at about mid level.

bertoni · 06/23/2006, 02:02 AM

People run various levels of flow through the sump. The problem with the higher flow rates, IMO, is that bubbles can be more of a problem, and the sump is the most expensive way to generate flow, although the cost isn't all that bad.

06/22/2006, 04:20 PM	#1
TracyZeuner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Simi Valley, Ca Posts: 636	How to plumb a 180 I need help with plumbing my 180 AGA. It has a center overflow. There are 2 drains, both 1.5in and the return is 1in. I was thinking of going with 2 pumps. One for the return and one for a closed loop. Can I do a closed loop on a tank that is not drilled in the back?(the only holes are at the bottom of the overflow) If there is anyone who has done this before I would really like your input. BTW, how much water can my overflow handle, and what size pumps should I get? Thanks

06/22/2006, 04:53 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	What are the dimensions of the overflow? I think I gave you a pointer to a closed loop design in your other thread? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

06/22/2006, 05:25 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You don't have to use a closed loop. Some Tunze Streams or Seio pumps (powerheads) might be another good approach to consider. One return pump is fine. This calculator gives recommended overflow sizes: http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php For 500 gph, 8 inches of teeth should be fine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

06/22/2006, 06:12 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The second pump idea is one way of generating more flow, if I understand correctly. It's the same as using a powerhead. Your overflow will handle more than you want to push through the sump. I'd target 600-800 gph or so through the tank, so a pump in that range should be fine. Be sure to include the head loss calculations. I don't know much about pumps, so I'll defer on that subject. I use an Eheim pump for that purpose, and it seems okay. I think you mentioned having the 1260, and that seems reasonable to me. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

06/23/2006, 02:02 AM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	People run various levels of flow through the sump. The problem with the higher flow rates, IMO, is that bubbles can be more of a problem, and the sump is the most expensive way to generate flow, although the cost isn't all that bad. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

06/22/2006, 05:19 PM	#3
TracyZeuner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Simi Valley, Ca Posts: 636	I think we crossed paths.Thank you for the link. Is there another way without all the pvc showing? Do I have to use a closed loop? Can I just have the one return and just get some power heads for more circulation in the tank? The overflow is a trapazoid shape. It is 17inches by 9 and is a little over 6inches front to back

06/22/2006, 05:36 PM	#5
TracyZeuner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Simi Valley, Ca Posts: 636	What is the calculater telling me? So I can use one pump for the return and then use powerheads inside the tank? If I have a 180 with a 60gal sump, what size pump should I use? My LFS told me about the 2 pumps. He said to use the second pump and attach it to a "elbow" and hang it in one of the corners of the tank.

06/22/2006, 05:37 PM	#6
TracyZeuner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Simi Valley, Ca Posts: 636	If you count all 3 sides of the overflow, iut is about 25 inches of teeth.(8 each on to sides and 9 across the front)

06/22/2006, 09:39 PM	#8
TracyZeuner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Simi Valley, Ca Posts: 636	I just talked to the LFS and he said the overflow will handle 1500-1800 GPH but you think that is way too much, why? Just curios. So just figure out my head loss and get a pump that fits the 6-800 gallon range. I think I am going to go with one pump and a couple of power heads in the tank and position them in the corners at about mid level.