Closed Loop ??'s

[king4345]

New 180 AGA mega-flow is coming next week and closed loop is absolute for this tank. I am going all out this time around. I bought a Baracuda pump to power the closed loop and now would like to poll the majority on the most efficient way to maximize the pump and the loop. I am looking at drilling 2 intake and 4 returns in the back wall around the overflows for the sump. I was wondering about the size. The pump of course is not a pressure pump it is purely movement. I thought the intakes should be in the center and approx 4 inches from the surface. The returns evenly spaced the length of the tank approx. mid tank height or a bit higher??????? :help:

 

[dogstar]

I dont know what to tell you about how to do the cloosed loop but just so others might want to help they should know that the Baracuda is rated at 4500 gph. I will say that two out takes at 2200gph could be danger zones for fish so may want to break them into 4.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by king4345
New 180 AGA mega-flow is coming next week and closed loop is absolute for this tank. I am going all out this time around. I bought a Baracuda pump to power the closed loop and now would like to poll the majority on the most efficient way to maximize the pump and the loop. I am looking at drilling 2 intake and 4 returns in the back wall around the overflows for the sump. I was wondering about the size. The pump of course is not a pressure pump it is purely movement. I thought the intakes should be in the center and approx 4 inches from the surface. The returns evenly spaced the length of the tank approx. mid tank height or a bit higher??????? :help:
Sounds like you pretty much got it licked. I would use 1" returns on them. And your total of 4 should do the trick nicely.

 

[king4345]

Do you think I should go to 3 intakes to try and cut down on the power of the suction. i would hate to see anyone get sucked fast...

 

[1911_guy]

Can someone please explain what closed loop is. Where is the pump mounted?

 

[saltfan]

Your top intake is going to be the fastest, and It'll slow as it gets farther down, but yea, I'd go with the 3, sounds good. Anyways i have 2 on mine, and mine only runs at 1537gph.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by 1911_Guy
Can someone please explain what closed loop is. Where is the pump mounted?
Closed Loop= One intake, one return. Pump mounted in cabinet, intake runs to a filter canister of some sort, then goes directly to tank, not a sump.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by king4345
Do you think I should go to 3 intakes to try and cut down on the power of the suction. i would hate to see anyone get sucked fast...

I get bristle worms sucked into my filter all the time, I can see em swimmin around in there once in awhile. It happens.

 

[1911_guy]

Originally Posted by SaltFan
Closed Loop= One intake, one return. Pump mounted in cabinet, intake runs to a filter canister of some sort, then goes directly to tank, not a sump.
Thanks

 

[turningtim]

No need for filtering a CL. Water in the pump water out. Mount the pump behind the tank will reduce head pressure.
Only purpose of a CL is water movement, to replace powerheads in the tank.
JMO
Tim

 

[king4345]

Originally Posted by SaltFan
Your top intake is going to be the fastest, and It'll slow as it gets farther down, but yea, I'd go with the 3, sounds good. Anyways i have 2 on mine, and mine only runs at 1537gph.

Here's my thinking in black and white... Pictures are always my fav...

 

[king4345]

OR :notsure:

 

[dogstar]

IMO, do it like the first one but up to you. Have you planed your rock layout and know where it will be and not be in the way of bulkheads ?? Is there going to be a wave maker involved ??

 

[king4345]

Originally Posted by Dogstar
IMO, do it like the first one but up to you. Have you planed your rock layout and know where it will be and not be in the way of bulkheads ?? Is there going to be a wave maker involved ??
Further review and I am switching the intake and the returns. Intakes midway down and the returns on the top. :happyfish

 

[turningtim]

One advantage of having the intakes high and output low is you will be taking highly oxygenated water from the top and putting lower in the water colum.
Not a bad thing!
JMO
Tim

 

[king4345]

I think with the 220 gph flowing through the sump system and the 4500 gph through the closed loop there really won't be much problem with it. I was afraid that the intakes up top would cause cyclones and suck air all the time plus my tang like to swim the top of the rock and they would be in the super suck zone. Plus all that water blowing into the back of my rockwork may cause some minor problems... We'll see what happens.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by TurningTim
No need for filtering a CL. Water in the pump water out. Mount the pump behind the tank will reduce head pressure.
Only purpose of a CL is water movement, to replace powerheads in the tank.
JMO
Tim
Its alot cheaper to put power heads in the tank than to buy a high flow pump and split the returns........

 

[turningtim]

Originally Posted by SaltFan
Its alot cheaper to put power heads in the tank than to buy a high flow pump and split the returns........
But not quite as neat/clean looking though...........

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by TurningTim
But not quite as neat/clean looking though...........
Ah, but this is true. But some people go for the cheaper way to do it things, because of the total cost of actually doing it asthetically correct.