Closed Loops (New design) - Page 2

JDigital · #11 03-20-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I'm not looking into putting $500 into a Vortech anytime soon. I want to work with what I have. I have lots of powerheads I can use if need be. *grumble*

How many 1/2" outputs do you think I could put on the CL with the PS3 and still have decent flow (like MJ1200 type flow minimum) coming through them? Just 1? 2? 3?

JDigital, the PS3 has 3/4" fittings on it...so do you mean I should run 3/4" piping all the way to the 3/4" bulkheads then reduce it and run 1/2" Loc-Line?

Yea, that would probably work.. or use a 3/4" Y splitter locline to 2x 1/2" locline jets. You might loose to much head splitting a 3/4" line between 2 3/4" bulkheads. I'd run it to 1 bulkhead and use the Y splitter inside the tank.

mike31154 · #12 03-20-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I'm not looking into putting $500 into a Vortech anytime soon. I want to work with what I have. I have lots of powerheads I can use if need be. *grumble*

How many 1/2" outputs do you think I could put on the CL with the PS3 and still have decent flow (like MJ1200 type flow minimum) coming through them? Just 1? 2? 3?

JDigital, the PS3 has 3/4" fittings on it...so do you mean I should run 3/4" piping all the way to the 3/4" bulkheads then reduce it and run 1/2" Loc-Line?

Closed loop does seem overly complex for a tank that size. Just my opinion, since I know little about closed loops either. But I've read that they can be power hogs and seems like there's plenty that can go wrong with more holes drilled, connections etc. Clean looking tank yes, but a nightmare outside the tank. Anyhow, I swear by my VorTech MP40W. Yes, very expensive. You might be able to get away with an MP20 which costs less and may be upgraded to 40W later if you wish. Spread the cost over time that way as well. No electrical cord in the tank and the wet side has a low profile, just under 3 inches.

mark · #13 03-20-2009, 01:42 AM

probably not worth getting a OM device but lots of photos in their WaterPix forum for layout ideas.

Myka · #14 03-20-2009, 01:51 AM

Thanks for the link mark!! Lots of great threads in there!

I know putting a closed loop on a tank this small seems silly to you big boys,

but I haven't done it before, and I want to try it out. I don't want a bigger tank. This is a good size for me.

I will think about the VorTech. I have a few items I could sell that could really knock the price down. I've already been thinking about selling my Bangaii pair...

fkshiu · #15 03-20-2009, 02:07 AM

You could try a variation of melev's 29 gallon closed loop.

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

Myka · #16 03-20-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkshiu

You could try a variation of melev's 29 gallon closed loop.

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

Ya, that's kinda what I had in mind, but drill the tank instead. I was tossing around the idea of a SCWD as he did. Melev used a Mag 7 which has the same flow as my Poseidon 3. If you watch the little video he has where you can see the flow, there is actually quite a lot of flow. I think too much for many of my LPS, so I think if I used the PS3 for my sump pump, and took the excess flow into a SCWD that would work well because the SCWD will put all the flow through only one pipe at a time. If all else fails I can always adjust and incorporate the Little Giant.

Maybe I will do both...closed loop and VorTech...? I would rather use the Poseidon as my sump pump than the Little Giant, and I have to do something with the extra flow. The MP20s are only $350, and appear to have plenty of juice for my application. I didn't realise there were two sizes.

I'm tired of chasing the detritus around my tank with a billion powerheads... :|

JDigital · #17 03-20-2009, 02:34 AM

The MP20's aren't too badly priced, and would be PLENTY of flow to keep detritus suspended.. I think.

Myka · #18 03-20-2009, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDigital

The MP20's aren't too badly priced, and would be PLENTY of flow to keep detritus suspended.. I think.

I'm just worried that it won't get all the corners of the tank because it's all coming from one source. Essentially it's just a powerhead on a wavemaker.

golf nut · #19 03-20-2009, 02:39 AM

Vortechs do a great job higher in the tank, they suck and blow from the same location so it's tough to get them low without sucking in sand, and you need to get low to get the crap off the bottom.

Myka · #20 03-20-2009, 02:44 AM

Upon thinking further...I think I will do a similar idea to Melev's in that I won't drill the tank for the closed loop just in case I don't like it or if it creates too much heat.

Is it true that I have to use piping that is twice the diameter of the fittings on the pump? That I should use 1 1/2" piping for the PS3 which has 3/4" fittings?