Closed loop questions

bdr · 06/14/2011, 06:58 PM

Im just about ready to start setting up my 90g tank and ive started reading up about these closed loop systems. For a 90 im still not sure what i need for power heads but power consumption wise which would be more efficient 3-4 power heads or a pump for the loop. And question number two is for a closed loop i see most bring the returns up through the bottom of the tank in front... do they need to be there or can they come in the back as well? Nice to figure this out before the water is in so i can drill more holes if need be or just stick with the power heads? Thanks!

das75 · 06/14/2011, 08:24 PM

I'm running a Dart on a CL and is about 160W but can't see changing. You could go with something like a Vortech MP40 for 28W for about the same GPH rating, difference is you have a PH visible in your tank. For the PH route there is though parts like the Tunze Stream Rock so the PH not so visible.

For a CL, holes can be pretty much where ever you want. Good place to see pictures of CL is on Oceans Motions Water Pix forum.

bdr · 06/15/2011, 04:44 AM

thanks for the link i never thought about drilling the back and just piping to the front... might be tricky to hide the pipes but something to think about
more to it then i thought too i thought you just ahd an intake and split it to two or three returns!

das75 · 06/15/2011, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdr

more to it then i thought too i thought you just ahd an intake and split it to two or three returns!

still can, you don't need a OM or other type device but they add randomness to the flow

SDguy · 06/15/2011, 08:03 AM

I ran a closed loop with a sequence pump on my previous reef. I used a perimeter manifold around the top of the tank. Great flow, but a bit unsightly. Quite a bit of plumbing too. The worst part was that I had no "fish room" to place the pump... it had to be under the stand, so noise and heat were an issue. I use vortechs and tunzes now, and would never go back, for my particular setup. You have not have the sdame issues I did.

One comment... change the pump seals yearly, mine always leaked.

Names Brucey · 06/15/2011, 08:09 AM

I literally just finished plumbing my closed loop for my 180. Never ran one before and will say there is a lot of plumbing. I was lucky enough that my tank now backs to a wall in my garage so I ran all of my plumbing through the wall so the pumps are away from the tank. I do not have any fish or coral back in the tank yet but I will say the dart and OM 4 way put out a lot of nice flow and I am please with what I see. Make sure you plan very well though. I have plenty of true union ball valves from every angle and feed to make sure I can service it without problem. I am not a fan of powerheads in the display so I hope this works out. I drilled mine from the bottom of the tank but you can certainly drill from the back and run the plumbing under the sand. If I were to do it again, I would have only drilled the two front holes from the bottom and the back holes in the back of the tank instead of the bottom pushing straight toward the front instead of through the bottom and then a 90 towards the front. Just a stupid mistake on my part.

bdr · 06/15/2011, 04:49 PM

names brucey do you have a pic? trying to picture what you mean that you wouldnt do again.

06/14/2011, 06:58 PM	#1
bdr Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: kingston ontario Posts: 375	Closed loop questions Im just about ready to start setting up my 90g tank and ive started reading up about these closed loop systems. For a 90 im still not sure what i need for power heads but power consumption wise which would be more efficient 3-4 power heads or a pump for the loop. And question number two is for a closed loop i see most bring the returns up through the bottom of the tank in front... do they need to be there or can they come in the back as well? Nice to figure this out before the water is in so i can drill more holes if need be or just stick with the power heads? Thanks!

06/14/2011, 08:24 PM	#2
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	I'm running a Dart on a CL and is about 160W but can't see changing. You could go with something like a Vortech MP40 for 28W for about the same GPH rating, difference is you have a PH visible in your tank. For the PH route there is though parts like the Tunze Stream Rock so the PH not so visible. For a CL, holes can be pretty much where ever you want. Good place to see pictures of CL is on Oceans Motions Water Pix forum. __________________ . Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.

06/15/2011, 08:03 AM	#5
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I ran a closed loop with a sequence pump on my previous reef. I used a perimeter manifold around the top of the tank. Great flow, but a bit unsightly. Quite a bit of plumbing too. The worst part was that I had no "fish room" to place the pump... it had to be under the stand, so noise and heat were an issue. I use vortechs and tunzes now, and would never go back, for my particular setup. You have not have the sdame issues I did. One comment... change the pump seals yearly, mine always leaked. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT. Last edited by SDguy; 06/15/2011 at 08:13 AM.

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06/15/2011, 04:44 AM	#3
bdr Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: kingston ontario Posts: 375	thanks for the link i never thought about drilling the back and just piping to the front... might be tricky to hide the pipes but something to think about more to it then i thought too i thought you just ahd an intake and split it to two or three returns!

06/15/2011, 08:09 AM	#6
Names Brucey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Middle River, MD Posts: 272	I literally just finished plumbing my closed loop for my 180. Never ran one before and will say there is a lot of plumbing. I was lucky enough that my tank now backs to a wall in my garage so I ran all of my plumbing through the wall so the pumps are away from the tank. I do not have any fish or coral back in the tank yet but I will say the dart and OM 4 way put out a lot of nice flow and I am please with what I see. Make sure you plan very well though. I have plenty of true union ball valves from every angle and feed to make sure I can service it without problem. I am not a fan of powerheads in the display so I hope this works out. I drilled mine from the bottom of the tank but you can certainly drill from the back and run the plumbing under the sand. If I were to do it again, I would have only drilled the two front holes from the bottom and the back holes in the back of the tank instead of the bottom pushing straight toward the front instead of through the bottom and then a 90 towards the front. Just a stupid mistake on my part.

06/15/2011, 04:49 PM	#7
bdr Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: kingston ontario Posts: 375	names brucey do you have a pic? trying to picture what you mean that you wouldnt do again.