Closed loop

[reedman]

Technically it looks like a plenum of sorts to distribute the water. The problem I could see is determining the size of the output slots (top and front) to ensure you have enough flow to make it functional. Also, how would you clean it? The overall concept is no different from a PVC pipe with directional holes in it, outside of aesthetics and complication of determining output sizes.

Bottom line, I see no reason it would not work well. You would certainly have some engineering calculations ahead to determine the best output slot size (or some serious trial and error).

 

[SeaQ]

Great!! another thread that is talking about something I'm going to be doing soon . Must say, I really like the way things are discussed on this board! Volumes of information & knowledge. Have a 150gal.(60x24x24)in the design stage and this is one area I have lots of ?? I don't think a 2100 &3000 is to much flow wise and believe the trick is to keep the velocity down & the volume high. Macbeth417 talks about it in his thread on tank design.
Whats the better pump for a CL? Dolphin or Sequence? Is one more reliable then the other?
Whats the pressure pump of choice for reefers.

 

[Ed Hahn]

Keith,
I like Sequence pumps and Dolphin pumps. I am not that happy with Reef Flow (Sequence)pumps. The Reef Flow design I have creates a lot of noise. I myself have a Stingray last years model. I have been told they have improved. I have heard good things about Dolphin. I would recommend looking at Amp Draw or wattage use. I have a nice pump sitting in my garage, Its a Dolphin 5200. The downfall is the power draw it pulls. The person that had it had it cranked down due to too much flow for his 170 gallon tank. Then he saw it on his power bill after one month. He took it off and there it sits in my garage. I think if flow is equally distributed in a area you can have a good deal of flow. Dolphin is coming out with a 7500 gallon pump with very little amp draw. I wonder how many people will see that. I think someones ears are probably ringing.

 

[DonW]

I got my all my pumps and most of the plumbing parts. Befor I turn the thing into swis cheese. I would like some feed back on one final option.

Thanks
Don

 

[Ed Hahn]

Don,
Is that box a prefilter to prevent sucking a fish inside your intake? I was concerned with one intake being a heavy suction area. It looks like you are going with MBV and one pump from front view to me.

 

[DonW]

No what I was thinking is that if I can get my drains in the bottom with a eggcrate box around them. I would only need one intake per pump. The biggest reason is to get the tank an inch or so closer to the wall. Maybe if they were both in the back the box could also be a rock support.

Don

 

[DonW]

Maybe this, I'm being stubborn and want the two big pumps in the closed loop. I really only have 4" wall clearance to keep the boss happy.

Don

 

[wanareef]

Scoot

Good idea, but not sure if the life of the pump would decrease. Don't think that the AMP is made to stop and start - alot.

Don

Would it help if you have two inlets for each pump and on the inside have a big 4way pvc with strainers on three sides ea?

 

[DonW]

Heck I really dont know. I saw that Steve Weast web site. All his go through the bottom with a single drain to each pump. It got me thinking this could help my wall clearance problem. I do need to get it figured out asap, was going to plumb tomarrow.

Don

 

[SeaQ]

DonW, if you went with 2- 1 1/4" drains vs 1 -1.5" you would decrease the suction and insure flow would not be disrupted by any blockage that might happen. 2- 1.25 drains would give you 2.454 sq in. vs 1.767 for a 1.5. I'm working up a CL with 6 outlets (3 top, 3 bottom) on a amp3000 so will be following yours and see how it works. Instead of the egg crate for the drain check a spa drain cover for a cleaner look. Believe you can get them in clear or white. Any way you can get the boss to go 6" behind the tank?? My thought is it just allows you that little extra room if you ever need to work behind the tank! Even 5" would help, mine's at 4.5 and it's tight!

wanareef, can't remember(that d@mn CRS syndrome) the site but had just read Dolphin saying the amp3000 is a good candidate for that using a pulse relay to run from 1/3 to full and repeat like a Tunze. Will look for it. Good luck Don, know i look forward to being at the point you are with mine and have fun.

 

[reedman]

Don, to decrease suction all you need is more input area. You can do this by putting a 'T' fitting inside the tank to halve the suction or a cross to cut it by 1/3. If this is going under a rock platform, you'd never see it, but make sure you can service the strainers. I run in 1.5" input from my tank to my AM3K. Works fine for me. I have it split in the tank witha 'T' so that my fish don't get stuck to the intake strainers.

 

[Scooterman]

DonW, If you go with two pumps, you might consider plumbing both outlet headers together with a ball valve. This way if you do loose one pump, you could relocate the flow. With 4" of space, you will be limited, so careful planning may be required, dry fit it first, look back at Nikki's thread, you may get some good ideas.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2062