Changing Alot.....Soon

[chadmace]

So currently I have a 125G RR w/Corner Over Flows, ETSS 800 Down Draft Skimmer, and a two tank set-up for sump, fuge, return. I plan to switch out the tank glass to a 125G RR w/Mega Flows *My tank is pretty scratched up...hence why I am changing tank glass* While changing the tank out I plan to switch to a Closed Loop system plumbed to an Ocean Motion 4-way. I will also change my sump to a 40L and my skimmer to a Bubble Master 250. My refugium/return will be changed into a full 29G refugium that will be fed from a pump then returned to the sump right before the return to the display.

Below you will find a diagram that I mocked up in Visio. What I am really trying to figure out at this point is flow.

My plan at the moment is to go with plumbing similar to Tracy's (salmonslayer) but use a OM 4-way instead of an 8-way. (Since my tank is in my living room and I'm trying to save on some plumbing.) I would be plumbing 1 return from the OM 4-Way to two returns on the tank. In the picture you will see this is considering going with a 1&3, 2&4 configuration. According to Loc-Line 3/4 Loc-Line can only handle 1,140gph. I am planning to have around 4,500 gph. **I dont know how much flow you can really put through that or if their number is what it is. I just want to get the most out of my pump** The two outlets I plan to have 1 1/2" bulkheads x2. That should accomodate just about any pump. Return bulkheads will all be 1". Some split off to two 3/4" loc-line.

So heres the Question:

Does the flow indicated in the diagram work well for circulation? (When blue is on burgundy is off an vice versa)

For that many returns open at once would that be enough flow for that configuration? (approx 750gph at each)

Assuming the 1,140 gph number I dug up somewhere this set-up should be able to handle around 6,000 gph though I'll only be using around 4,000 to 4,500gph. I am currently considering a Dolphin Amp Master http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~DP4030.html mainly due to Amps and Wattage.

I am open to any suggestions be it flow, equipment, etc.

 

[tamarindthai]

great planed out,,,can't wait to see it

 

[chadmace]

Guess this thread should go in the Tank Design section.

Mods...please move.

 

[Skimmy]

the best suggestion i could make to you is to ditch that closed loop for flow...
you have a 4x2x2 tank, that to me doesnt merrit the expense and nightmare of the closed loop, large high watt external pump, om 4 way, and all the potential failure points in between with plumbing manifold.
imo, i think you would be waaaay better off having high flow (1200 gph each), low watt (10 w.), small sized nano stream tunze pumps.
but the biggest issue is the small outlet size of the nozzels on your closed loop manifold...totally unnatural and innapropriate compared to the wide flow "wall of water" effect from the xl outlet size of the tunze nano stream pumps.
also, look at the amount of energy it takes on an annual basis to power that closed loop compared to 4-5 10watt tunze pumps that get 1200 gph each after a simple modification...you could probably easily pay for the upgrade to your ati bm200 (the bm250 is waaay to big for a 125) with just the difference in energy it takes to power that closed loop.
i say the bm250 is too big for a 125 from personal experience with reef customers, also, we have a bm250 skimming our 500g display system at barrier reef, and it does an incredible job!! the bm 200 will be a great fit for a 125. also look at the swc octopus extreme 200 skimmer (with same sicce psk 2500 pumps) or the coralvue octopus pro skimmer (with laguna pond pump modified in a similar way as bk red dragon pumps) and also look at the ATB medium cone skimmer, incredible performance and design!!! all 4 of those skimmers will totally rock your world and give you sps quality water in your 125g...

 

[Skimmy]

also, if you do still go for a closed loop, DO NOT drill holes on the bottom of your tank, in fact i would never drill any hole lower than 1/2 way down the back of the tank...bulkheads ALL fail sooner or later and you dont want to empty your tank to replace them. another thing i hate is the calcium build up you will get in your plumbing manifold after a few years...have fun taking that all apart and cleaning it out...

 

[chadmace]

My 125 is a 6ft tank. I currently have a Seio 1500, and 2 Koralia K4s and still have some crazy dead spots. The closed loop should get some flow into the center section of the tank. The low ports would all be plumbed along the bottom to get the nozzles to the front bottom of the tank. Plus with the size of power heads I would need to get adequate flow would take up quite the space and be quite the eye sore.

 

[chadmace]

One alternative could be a Tunze setup like this: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~TZTS24.html

Considering cost of pumps, 4-way, and plumbing it would be just about the same. High GPH overall, less power.

 

[Skimmy]

ahh, a 6' tank...
that does make the closed loop idea a little more viable...but i would still go with the tunze streams + controller you posted from marine despot.

the other thing you could do is to mount them on seaswirls in the corners so they move back and forth on a post. that way you could ditch the controller, and leave them at full power all the time and still create chaotic flow