Closed Loop Help

[Illusion]

Ok I am kinda stuck in a bind... I have a tank that is already setup and cannot be easily drained and moved to drill for a closed loop but I would like to install a closed loop... I can only see really 2 good options... Going over the back for my inlets to my pump and having the returns going over the top into the front of the tank... Or draining off about 6" of the top of the tank and drilling holes for the bulkheads along the back of the tank... The pump would be an Ampmaster 3600 which would also be used along with the 3600 that I already have for a return pump... Breaking down the tank and removing the livestock is absolutely out of the question... The outlets already from the Existing return pump are piped in to the back corners already blowing towards the center of the tank... Going over the back does not bother me that much either so long as I get this plumbed in... I can only drain about the top 6" of water out of the tank and drilling from the outside is pretty much impossibly as there is only 6" of space between the wall and the tank... Even If I only drilled the inlets to the pump in the back and ran the outlets over the top to the front corners would be acceptable as well..

Please help,
James

 

[jasontatro]

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

Check it out.

 

[DonW]

You may have a air sucking problems with the drains less than 6" under the water. What size tank?

Don

 

[Illusion]

72x30x24.. Thats what I am trying to avoid is the possibility of Air sucking... I really only have 1 shot of doing this so I got to make it right.. where as If I gover over the back then all I have to do is drill the Top brace and be done with it.. And Still when I move I can drilled the back for a closed loop at that time..

James

 

[kimoyo]

You could drill the bulkhead and put a 90 pointing down. You would see it in the tank but probably no more than going over the top.

But if you are fearless you might do this, http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=361799. It should work and you will be able to do the hole as low as you want. Of course he did it in a sump but same principle should hold for a tank.

Goodluck,
Paul

 

[Illusion]

I am pretty fearless but not that fearless... I think I will just go Up and over for now and play it safe for now... That way I have the option to drill the tank where I want when I move or decide to break down the tank to do it...

Thanks again guys,
James

 

[big t]

That was a pretty ingenious idea!