overflow box for a closed loop system

[darklcd]

Hey all

I am looking at doing a closed loop system and have the flow going through and out of the live rock in the tank. I am wondering if an overflow box will work to run straight to a sump and then back into the tank.

The only thing I am thinking about is making sure that hte overflow box is a higher flow then the pump and I think that will be the only issue

Any thoughts?

 

[Peppie]

You really dont need an overflow box to run a closed loop. You dont even need to drill your tank. Just plumb every thing over the top. If you do it that way you will need to leave access to prime the pump at the top of the return line. Once it is primed you wont need to do it again untill you drain the tank.

 

[akunochi]

No an overflow box will not work...that would be an open system. A closed loop is closed IE never open to the air...so going to the sump would be an open system unless your sump is sealed from air completely.

 

[darklcd]

I was not sure if a regular line to a pump would have enough flow or not I am looking at a couple pumps but i was not sure what to do.

 

[Peppie]

Are you trying to rid your tank of PHs? Or are you wanting to get certain areas of the tank to not be dead? If the tank is not drilled you will need to be creative to hide the plumbing.

 

[T1tan360]

a closed loop system is a system that its just recirculating water in that same chamber ie the tank if does not mean closed of to the air. closed loop systems can be used in security systems too.

 

[T1tan360]

here is some good info on closed loop systems
Closed Loop Water Circulation | Aquarists Online | Aquarium Fish Resources And Information

 

[akunochi]

Titan in an aquarium setup closed loop refers to a plumbing of pipes to pumps in which both the intake and outlets are submerged 100% of the time in water never allowing air to enter the system. Thus a closed loop.

 

[T1tan360]

definition from a google search Another method is the closed loop in which water is pulled from the main tank into a pump which returns the water back into the aquarium via one or more returns to create water turbulence.



in case you dont want to drill http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

 

[Krish]

definition from a google search Another method is the closed loop in which water is pulled from the main tank into a pump which returns the water back into the aquarium via one or more returns to create water turbulence.

in case you dont want to drill Melevsreef.com - Closed Loop

This method is what I used on my 75 gal to add a bit of extra flow through a mag950. They usually call this an "over the top" closed loop. The plumbing always stays full of water unless you drain quite a bit of water out of your tank to where the water level falls below the suction which can happen with a drilled tank as well. However for the most part, the plumbing and the pump always has water in it which is said to operate in a "closed system". You prime the closed loop when initially starting it up to get the pipes filled with water and the air out, but from there, it never needs to be touched or re-primed again if the power is cut to the pump as being in a "closed loop system" it will just restart on it's own again. I guess this is why they call it a closed loop. Not sure how far I take the term "closed loop" though. I tend to use it rather loosely. This particular setup can be kinda compared to a canister filter that sucks water from the tank through one pipe, into the canister and then back into the tank through an output. These don't need re-priming as well and will resume operation when the pump is turned on so in a sense, canister filters can be considered closed loop's. I wouldn't hurt my head too much with if what you are using is a closed loop or not. Once it does what you intend for it to do then job accomplished IMO.

 

[akunochi]

definition from a google search Another method is the closed loop in which water is pulled from the main tank into a pump which returns the water back into the aquarium via one or more returns to create water turbulence.



in case you dont want to drill Melevsreef.com - Closed Loop

Yes but not via an overflow box nor into a sump as mentioned in the original pump.