Questions about flow

The tank is currently being built so its not too late to have some more holes drilled. I want to build it right. It will be much harder to change later.

How about four inlets on the bottom of the tank set up with a 2000 gph pump on a closed loop? Plus the four locline sump returns coming into the tank from the eurobracing.

Would that be better?

[J.Lloy]

why not one hole the size of the pumps intake down low then a couple return holes higher up?

Besides noise, are there any downsides to a closed loop?

[mr_alberta]

Besides noise, there is extra plumbing and higher possibility of leaks.

Alternatively, you can try external waveboxes for flow like this person's tank:

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Rene

Besides noise, are there any downsides to a closed loop?

It's kinda hard to move the holes once they're drilled and because of this you have to arrange your rockwork around them. You can snake some locline around to rearrange some flow, but then it gets tricky keeping everything hidden (which is the whole point of a closed-loop over powerheads in any event).

Holes cost money to drill and it may make the tank harder to sell in the future as the majority of people looking for a used aquarium just want a glass box.

A big closed-loop pump will use more power than a few well placed powerheads like Tunzes.

Lastly, many people underestimate both the cost and amount of work involved in hooking up a closed-loop especially if you get an oceansmotions-type device. PVC parts can get expensive very quickly especially if you're incorporating various shut-off valves for ease of maintenance.

[mark]

Might be bias as having CL myself but I believe having the 4 returns and 1 supply drilled for a CL is the way to go. On mine had selected a Dart prior to build so had drilled for a 2" supply and 4-1" returns.

CL negatives
- noise only if going too wild a pump (or placing a monster pump immediately below tank)
- look of fittings in tank, but can be hidden with rockwood
- placing outlets on floor of tank might be an issue with a sand bottom
- positions are fixed, thought with fittings can adjust direct

Again look on the OM site, with planning all the negatives can be addressed.

Is there any way to make the powerheads less intrusive? Can they be somhow hidden? Or at least can the cords be somehow hidden?

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Rene

Is there any way to make the powerheads less intrusive? Can they be somhow hidden? Or at least can the cords be somehow hidden?

Just like with a closed-loop, it all comes down to planning. These guys all have Tunze streams as part of their setups (including both superfudge and fastfish) - do they look intrusive to you?

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

[mark]

Tunze has a rock you put their PH into,scroll the bottom here, can also do a DIY

[Okguy]

Check out some of this guys builds. He has some very cool ideas on hiding CLs and power heads.

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/fo...play.php?f=140

you can also use something like this

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=tz-ztsrock

just remember that the power cord will probably be visible when it leaves the tank.

HTH

Kevin