Closed Loop pics (for ldzielak)
 

Here are some of the pics you wanted to see cheers. This one is of the pump. I kinda decided to do the closed loop cause I found the unions for $3.33 at Revy :roll: Good enough reason I thought!
http://members.shaw.ca/reefs/canadia...DSC00455-1.jpg

These pics are of the output. There are 2 outputs on each side of the tank. They are Grey pvc from the slide over type fittings from Revy. They are are threaded riser(or unrisers in this case) so I can change the riser to make it higher or lower and also change direction.
http://members.shaw.ca/reefs/canadia...DSC00457-1.JPG
http://members.shaw.ca/reefs/canadia...DSC00459-1.JPG

Thanks for the pics, that must give some really good flow. I used the same "system" with the risers on the returns to my tank. what did you use for an intake? What kind of a screening system are you using, I have lost 3 fish to power heads before, I know this pump could kill more if not done right.

Lee

The intake of the pump is a "U" over the back wall that's about 6" long in 1" pvc.
I capped off the end and drilled about 50 3/8 ish size holes. The holes are over aprox 3" to 4" of the pipes length. Snails crawl over the intake with no problem's at all.

you been watching me build things to long :wink: hehe

Steve

Yes it's very similar to your overflow design I saw when you were setting up your tank :lol:

Hi Jonathan, the outputs are 1" are they not?

Just curious. Maybe here's an experiment you can try for me (if you haven't tried this already by some chance.)

If you closed one side and had the other side full open; then manually switched directions (i.e., opened the other side and closed the first side), what does this effect look like as the water flow changes direction? Do you get a sweeping motion of the "point of convergence" ?


... One more question. How come you used T's capped off at the ends, instead of 90-degree bends? Do you find this balances the outputs better the way you did it?

Hey Tony,
The outputs are kinda 1" :roll: The pvc portion is plumbed in 3/4" and the grey output nozzles are I believe 1" but they are the slip over type fittings so the inside diamiter is same as 3/4" pvc.

Basically yes. This is the reason that I am getting the wave maker and I am going to have 1 mj1200 on each side of the tank and they will be alternating on/off at diffrent time. Idealy I would like to do this with the irrigation solenoid thing with the main closed loop pump but the mj/wavemaker way is much more affordable. I actually close one side fully for a minute or so and then do the other about once a week just to loosen up some of the detrius in the rock and sand.



I used the T's for the exact reason that you suspect. The output was slightly uneven when I had one T and one 90. Now they seem to be exactaly even with their output.

Good questions! 8)

Jonathan,

Still have those closed loop pics? I'm having problems with mine, my pump (Mag18) is cavatating and mking micro-bubbles all over the tank. Always fun to find this out after it's al done.

Lee

I am having the same problem with a mag18 as well ... wont be able to upgrade for a while either ( how does that go again ? ... wife acceptance factor ? LOL )

Cheers