Closed loop question - is this overkill?

ChloroPhil · 09/29/2009, 07:08 PM

I'm in the way far ahead advanced planning (aka Daydreaming) stages of putting together a large (for me) reef tank. I've kept numerous nanos, but I want the extra OOMPH and bioload provided by a larger system. Right now I'm looking at a 120 because I like the dimensions and it'll be great for a 3-sided rock wall habitat with LPS, Softies, Gorgs, and some SPS.

I'm considering using 4 penductor outlets as well as using a separate Ocean's Motions unit which I already have. My questions are:

1. Would you put the closed loop on the OM 4-way going horizontally across the tank or on the penductors pointed diagonally from the rear-top and front-bottom of the tank?

2. Is this just overkill?

3. If it is overkill, which option would you go with, the OM 4-way, 4 penductors, or 2 penductors and the OM 4-way?

Thanks!
Phil

tangtang clown · 09/29/2009, 07:43 PM

Phil, I am in the final stages of upgrading from a 75 to a 125, which will be my second tank ever. I have the same idea of using a Dart and a OM 4 way together on a CL. I just started dry fitting my pump and OM together tonight. I don't think mine will be overkill, as I will have ball valves on each of the 4 outputs of my CL. Which version OM do you have?
Which pump are you planning on using for the CL? Check out my build if you think it will help. I should be finished fitting the OM to my bulkheads tomorrow night, so I will post more pics at that time.

tkeracer619 · 09/29/2009, 07:56 PM

OM4 kills the flow of a dart. Too much head loss. Make sure to do the 3 on 1 off drum.

To the OP you will need 4 penductors on a om4. Overkill depends on the pump but I don't think you will have any problems.

viggen · 09/29/2009, 08:01 PM

are penductors needed? they require a pressure rated pump which sucks a lot more juice.... why not just use the om-4way & get a more effecient low head pump? Like a Dart Gold or something like that.... 3000 gph going through your tank & under 200w of power to run it.

tangtang clown · 09/30/2009, 06:29 AM

After seeing the power of my snapper return pump through two 3/4" bulkheads reduced to 1/2" locline wyes, I'm sure the Dart will have more than enough power to power my OM 4way, which is a 1&3,2&4, so two holes open at a time. I was advised to use the Dart pump by the manufacturer of the OM and by people who set up CLs for a living.
Also, the Dart will keep my watts down compared to a pressure rated pump.

09/29/2009, 07:08 PM	#1
ChloroPhil Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Elysburg, PA Posts: 327	Closed loop question - is this overkill? I'm in the way far ahead advanced planning (aka Daydreaming) stages of putting together a large (for me) reef tank. I've kept numerous nanos, but I want the extra OOMPH and bioload provided by a larger system. Right now I'm looking at a 120 because I like the dimensions and it'll be great for a 3-sided rock wall habitat with LPS, Softies, Gorgs, and some SPS. I'm considering using 4 penductor outlets as well as using a separate Ocean's Motions unit which I already have. My questions are: 1. Would you put the closed loop on the OM 4-way going horizontally across the tank or on the penductors pointed diagonally from the rear-top and front-bottom of the tank? 2. Is this just overkill? 3. If it is overkill, which option would you go with, the OM 4-way, 4 penductors, or 2 penductors and the OM 4-way? Thanks! Phil

09/29/2009, 07:43 PM	#2
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	Phil, I am in the final stages of upgrading from a 75 to a 125, which will be my second tank ever. I have the same idea of using a Dart and a OM 4 way together on a CL. I just started dry fitting my pump and OM together tonight. I don't think mine will be overkill, as I will have ball valves on each of the 4 outputs of my CL. Which version OM do you have? Which pump are you planning on using for the CL? Check out my build if you think it will help. I should be finished fitting the OM to my bulkheads tomorrow night, so I will post more pics at that time. __________________ Mind over chatter.

09/29/2009, 07:56 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	OM4 kills the flow of a dart. Too much head loss. Make sure to do the 3 on 1 off drum. To the OP you will need 4 penductors on a om4. Overkill depends on the pump but I don't think you will have any problems. __________________ 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.

09/30/2009, 06:29 AM	#5
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	After seeing the power of my snapper return pump through two 3/4" bulkheads reduced to 1/2" locline wyes, I'm sure the Dart will have more than enough power to power my OM 4way, which is a 1&3,2&4, so two holes open at a time. I was advised to use the Dart pump by the manufacturer of the OM and by people who set up CLs for a living. Also, the Dart will keep my watts down compared to a pressure rated pump. __________________ Mind over chatter.

09/29/2009, 08:01 PM	#4
viggen Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,213	are penductors needed? they require a pressure rated pump which sucks a lot more juice.... why not just use the om-4way & get a more effecient low head pump? Like a Dart Gold or something like that.... 3000 gph going through your tank & under 200w of power to run it.