Hw to do this closed loop?

dcathey

dcathey

Member
I need some help guys and gals.... I am going to install a new sump and on my return I am going to do a closed loop. I like the one in this attached pic. Could someone tell me some things about it and how do you plumb the return outlets. I know that they are Ts w/ some sort of fitting prob screwed in but what are they and where to get them. I would like 4 outlets. Also I have an 80 gal w/ HOB overflow w/ 1"drain. 20 gal sump/fuge. Rio 2500 ret pump 3/4 " ret line to hopefully this closed loop. Any other advice would be awesome. Any advice on check valves would be beneficial as well.
 
coachklm

coachklm

Active Member
first of all closed loops are separate from your sump return. they have their own pump and air is never introduced to the CL usually done with 3 holes in tank or over the top system. one for drain and 2 returns.
 
moby

moby

Member
Seems to be a lot of confusion on this topic doesn't it coach?
I know we both have explained this on many occassions (you much more than I), I think we need a "tell all" thread to explain this in detail or folks need to use the search feature. That was not meant to be snotty, just this particular subject is really getting a lot of repeat questions/ explainations ( like lighting) Sigh. You up for a end all be all thread on this subject?
Moby
 
dcathey

dcathey

Member
Ok well I dont want a closed loop then.. Whatever it is called I am returning a loop over my tank and just needed some info on the plumbing fittings and such. Sorry for the wrong terminology and wasting your precious time. I dont understand what the big deal is. Couldnt you have said no dcathey you are just plumbing up a return from your sump and this is what you should use.....
 
murph145

murph145

Active Member
i dont think anyone was intending on being mean or harsh from how i gather it...
everyone is here to help we all started off as newbies and gathered info from other fellow reefers....
as far your your sump is concerned how many gallons per hour is your overflow box rated for?>?>?
id consider getting a different pump for your return pump instead of the rio u can get a Mag 7 pump or anotehr type that would be better for a sump return application
as far as plumming goes it just depends on what u wanna do....
are you going to hard plumb it with PVC pipping or soft plumb it with flex pipe
its better to plumb a sump return with soft piping of some sort at the beggining then use an adapter 3/4" hose bard adapter to 3/4" slip joint to convert to PVC to help aleviate any vibrations from the pump that can cause noise if hard plummed all the way through....
you can then return the 3/4" line to a 3/4" T from there use some smaller pvc reducer adapters to make the 3/4" T downsize to 1/2" pipping....
then return the two over your tank one on each side or where u want and go from there....
as far as check valves go in your situation i would deffinately get one get a 3/4" one and place it before u T off the return....
also i would make sure u have a ballvalve and a union joint u can do them seperately or one combo unit .... this allows u to remove the pump to be serviced if need be without undoing the plumming.... the ballvalve also allows u to throttle down and adjust flowr returning from your sump to the tank....
lots of times a pump can suck all the water outta the sump faster than the overflow box can refill so thats where the ballvalve is usefull
its a pretty simple thing to do once u understand it all but that should help somewhat if u need any pics of a setup let me know .... i have a lil bigger of a setup with an external pump but still the same kinda ideas
 
moby

moby

Member
Sorry if that sounded snotty dcathey. It wasn't meant that way.
What I was getting at is this particular subject gives a lot of new folks problems and is the subject of much discussion.
My intention was to maybe put all this plumbing info in one place on one post so as to make it easier for those looking for the info and an easy way for those of us who have explained it multiple times to just send the thread link and then if you have follow up questions discuss it then.

Moby
 
dcathey

dcathey

Member
Thanks everyone. I apologize for getting testy as well. Once again I appreciate it. Do yall know if you can get a check valve from a hardware store or do you have to order from aqaurium specific stores?
 
phixer

phixer

Active Member
You can pick them up at almost any plumbing supply store. Id check the local HD or Lowes also. Many of the LFS around here stock them but thier prices are much higher, try on line also.
And I too would also like to apologize now for anything that has not been said yet but might be said someday by someone to something that might hurt somethings feelings in someway somewhere, somehow.
Moby stop offending me :hilarious
 
moby

moby

Member
And I too would also like to apologize now for anything that has not been said yet but might be said someday by someone to something that might hurt somethings feelings in someway somewhere, somehow.
Hey phixer, can I put this at the top of every post I will make in the future!

I think it would save me a lot of typing from now on!
Moby stop offending me
Sorry. NOT!

moby
 
murph145

murph145

Active Member
i wouldnt use the HD or lowes check valves u need ones that dont have a metal spring in them those ones do.... ull most likely have to get one with a rubber gasket and those are made by

[hr]
do a search and ull find them they are clear and meant for applications like ours
 
moby

moby

Member
Hey murph, quick question.
Wouldn't the spring in the HD and lowes valves have a stainless steel spring since they are in a plumbing application. Otherwise they would not be suitable for anything aquarium or home application.
Moby
 
murph145

murph145

Active Member
yeah they are meant for water but mainly freshwater.... salt can do some crazy things to metal even stainless....
if i have this much money in my tank im not guna trust anything metal in it....
for the extra peace of mind id deffinately get one meant for saltwater applications....
also the HD and lowes ones are very restrictive since they are spring loaded it takes pressure to open the gate and those springs are pretty tough and can cause a lot of loss in your return pumps power....
if it were me id go with the clear pvc

[hr]
check valve
heres mine a 1" one on my sump return
 
moby

moby

Member
if i have this much money in my tank im not guna trust anything metal in it....
for the extra peace of mind id deffinately get one meant for saltwater applications....
I agree, thanks for the tip! I've used the others for years but never really thought that much about it.
I think I better look into this. I'm planning a 280 gal tank as we speak so this is a good time to get these other valves.
thanks again
Moby
 
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