Closed loop build questions

[Icehockey_whino]

Hey everyone, I'm a newbie on your forum but have been reefing for about 6 years.

I'm putting a closed loop on a 55g reef tank. The loop goes all the way around the top of the tank. It will have 3 lock line outlets in the front and 3 in the back.there will be 2 intakes in the tank also. I have an external Mag 7 to pump the H2O. My questionn is "What size pvc should I use for the Loop?" and is the pump strong enough to push enough water out of all the outlets?

Thanks for any advice I can get!!

 

[prbhasson]

Welcome to reeffrontiers. I also had a closed loop on my 75 and used a mag 7. It only had 2 outlets front and back but did not push enough flow for my liking. I would go with at least a mag 9 with 6 outlets. Use 3/4 in pipe and downsize to 1/2 inch lockline for the outlets and see how it works out. Good luck...

 

[Icehockey_whino]

Thanks, I'll give it a try

 

[Meche]

and downsize to 1/2 inch lockline for the outlets

I concure, with a smaller pump you want to maximize exit velocity by using the smaller nozzles.

Oh ya... Welcome to RF!

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF! Hope you enjoy it here To be honest, I don't think you will be all that happy with a mag7 split between 6 outputs and maybe not even a mag950. With all the bends and length of pvc, you won't get much pressure out of each. Even just out of 2 nozzles split with all the head loss, frictional loss etc, you may not be all that happy, but it all depends on what you want to get out of it. I've used a mag950 on a closed loop on my 75gal before split in 2 and it was ok, but still not strong enough for my liking. I'm a flow freak though Just my 2 cents...Good luck!

 

[lizardarm]

i'm in the boat on this one also. i had a mag12 on my old set up and was not happy at all with the flow that i got out of a manifold i had made with just four outlets. on a 55 gallon tank, you might get what you want from the
mag12, or even a mag9.5, but when you downsize your outlets to get more velocity, then you are creating an obstacle course for your fish to deal with.

 

[Meche]

then you are creating an obstacle course for your fish to deal with.

Not with a mag 7 to 6 outlets.

Ask krish about obstacle courses for his fish. 4KG/H in a 37gal cube!

 

[Scooterman]

Welcome to RF! Hope you enjoy it here To be honest, I don't think you will be all that happy with a mag7 split between 6 outputs and maybe not even a mag950. With all the bends and length of pvc, you won't get much pressure out of each. Even just out of 2 nozzles split with all the head loss, frictional loss etc, you may not be all that happy, but it all depends on what you want to get out of it. I've used a mag950 on a closed loop on my 75gal before split in 2 and it was ok, but still not strong enough for my liking. I'm a flow freak though Just my 2 cents...Good luck!

You won't have head loss much to consider & very little frictional loss to consider on a CL. I do agree a MAG7 will be underpowered but maybe a 9 or 12 would work better, also the reduction on the outlets with "y" would be nice & just use 2 in the front & two in the back, & just one suction because this type set-up is bulky, unless your going through a BH for the return.

 

[Krish]

You won't have head loss much to consider & very little frictional loss to consider on a CL. I do agree a MAG7 will be underpowered but maybe a 9 or 12 would work better, also the reduction on the outlets with "y" would be nice & just use 2 in the front & two in the back, & just one suction because this type set-up is bulky, unless your going through a BH for the return.

Yeah...I was thinking sump return for some reason where headloss and frictional loss is concerned etc but definately still not enough to split a mag 7 into 6. That will be only a little over 100 gh per nozzle which isn't much to talk about at all.

 

[Scooterman]

LOL I fighured that, OCD huh?
I have a wahoo pump that would be smokin for that :badgrin:

 

[Icehockey_whino]

You won't have head loss much to consider & very little frictional loss to consider on a CL. I do agree a MAG7 will be underpowered but maybe a 9 or 12 would work better, also the reduction on the outlets with "y" would be nice & just use 2 in the front & two in the back, & just one suction because this type set-up is bulky, unless your going through a BH for the return.

I appreciate all the feedback... I don't want to sound completely stupid but can you explain to me what the "y" exactly is? Also, what is a BH. i couldn't find it on the acronym list.

By the way I may trade up to a 9.5 or maybe an iwaki equivalent. Any oopinions between the two? Would it be easier if I went to only two outlets in the front and still have three in the back?

I know...I know... I ask alot of questions. I'm starting to learn a few advanced techniques and I don't want to sacrifice any corals to do so. I'm slowly upgrading my55g from PCs to MHs and the CL, Ca++ reactor is already in.

 

[Meche]

Bulk head = BH

"Y" is a type of plumbing connector. It is less restrictive than a "T". For the same reason a 45deg is better than a 90deg.

 

[Icehockey_whino]

Thanks, What exactly is the equation for flow out of a CL with 6 outlets? Is 200/ outlet a decent start. to much, to little. i don't want to blow away all my corals.

 

[Krish]

For the same reason a 45deg is better than a 90deg.

Less restriction

 

[Krish]

Thanks, What exactly is the equation for flow out of a CL with 6 outlets? Is 200/ outlet a decent start. to much, to little. i don't want to blow away all my corals.

When it comes to nozzles, I like atleast 500 gph per. On my old cube though I had 750gph per output , but in any event depending on how it is used/placed, I'd shoot for about 300 gph which will be almost equivalent to the flow coming out of a maxijet 1200

 

[ronj]

i had a mag12 closed loop on my 72g..it had 2 outlets...it was decent flow, but it could have been a little more..i would go a little bigger with that many outlets

 

[Scooterman]

I'd shoot for about 300 gph which will be almost equivalent to the flow coming out of a maxijet 1200

LOL mine feel more like two MJ1200's on each nozzle