Closed Loop Hole Placement - 180g AGA

[Bloke]

This is what I was thinking for a closed loop on a 180g AGA Reef Ready tank:

The four inner holes will all be return holes while the two outer/lower holes will be intake holes for the pump.

I do not want to come over the back as others have done. I was also planning on each hole being 1 3/4" (large enough for a 1" bulkhead).

This will be primarily a mixed reef, yet dominated by SPS. For this closed loop, I was thinking about running a Reeflo Dart pump (3600gph)

Let me know what you think on hole placement, number, size, etc.

Shane

 

[dnjan]

Can you make the intake bulkheads larger? I would think that you would want higher velocity for your returns than at the intakes, and with twice the number of returns you would need larger intakes to accomodate lower velocities there.

 

[Bloke]

What about increaing the number of return lines? Drilling the ends would not be a problem - that would add two more return lines. Also, I might use two different pumps - one for each side. Perhaps run two Reeflo Snappers (2500gph) instead.

What about this configuration? All bottom holes would be intakes while those at top are returns. Plus, add one return on each side panel:

As far as aquascaping, I want to create LR towers using PVC so there should be plenty of room for fish and flow. The towers would look like this respectively:

 

[Scooterman]

Dart & snapper you need a 2" suction, I'd go with two 1 1/2" suctions headdered into a 2" that supplied the pump.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13724&d=1151284359

 

[Scooterman]

& on the inside you need something like this to reduce or spread out the suction so you don't suck fish to the intake!

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20097&d=1172020391

 

[trido]

For a 180 SPS dominated tank IMO you will nedd alot more than 5000GPH of flow. Id shoot for closer to 10,000GPH. I recently stepped up from 5 to 9000 on my 120- and my SPS are much happier than before and my LPS dont mind it either.

Also, I would recommend two 1.5" CL intakes and as many 3/4" outputs as possible. IMO 1" outputs are too big for that pump because your SPS want a bit of velocity with their flow rather than the pump just breathing on them.

Id get a hammerhead if I could do it over.