Closed loop

[mrok12]

Here are a few pics of the closed loop I am going to use on my tank. It is 120 gallon. The return pump pushes 1500 gh at 4 foot of head. I am going to drill the tanKk or the return and dowlines and build a manifold on the return.

I am top mounting so to speak a mag12 so as to ruduce an extra head pressure so I can get the mos flow from it. Thi is what I have come up With ith some help from MYREEF.

[scubadude]

Nice!!....I like how you have 3 outputs....Where is the intake drawing water from? Can you take a pic or two of that too?

[mrok12]

The irstelbow nning paralell to the glass is the intake on this one. This was simple, less than 1 hour to construct. Leaves me with one problem. WHAT TO DO WIT THE WAVEMASTER AND POWERHEADS I BOUGHT? I got those months ago too. I will see How this works before I sellThat set up though. I tested it in the basement n an old tank and it screams with flow even with the elbow.

MROK12

[wastedincome420]

That looks real good Mrok12

Are you planning on using some sort of intake screen???

Maybe I mis read but are you saying you have a Ampmaster that you are not going to use Is it an am3000?? If you want to sell it let me know, I will be intrested in it. I'm not sure if you've seen it or not but have a long thread going about closed loops and using an Ampmaster;)

[scubadude]

Originally posted by mrok12
WHAT TO DO WIT THE WAVEMASTER AND POWERHEADS I BOUGHT? MROK12

Definately keep them for a while til you see how it works....You can never have too much flow....especially if you are going w/ SPS.

I have a few tips/questions I would like to adress on your setup though mrok...the first is what wasted brought up....you will definately want an intake grate...second is you may want 2 intakes...your gonna have a heck of intake curent through there...I have that same pump powering my skimmer, and before I put the grate on it I was haveing snails get stuck in the intake all the time! Thats a fairly powerful pump...your outputs are fine as far as I can see...since you have 3 of them...but the intake issue definately needs to be addressed....also im curious as to why you put that elbow on the intake?.....IMO I would put a tee on there then put 2 intake grates on the tee....im just kinda thinking out loud here....that way you wouldnt have some much velocity on the input side.

[scubadude]

Actually if you really wanted to get the most out of this pump....I would mount the pump on the opposite end...right in the middle (instead of the corner) and use PVC to go down halfway through your water column and then use a Tee and 2 intake grates. This here is what I think is what alot of ppl miss when seting up a closed loop (the Intakes) they are just as important as your outputs....they are causing current too.

[mrok12]

Thanks for the advice scuba, never even considered the intake. A tee seems like a good idea too. This loop is on the left and the return is on the right. I figure I can get some turbulence this way. In the furure when I win the lottery I m going to install some sea swirls. If this works I may trade my wavemaster setup for a couple at the LFS. Ill keep ya posted. No I must go and pay Dick Perrrin's Mortgage ScubaDude

MROK12

[myreef]

Looks good! Looks familiar! Glad I could help. I would definitely use a strainer on the intake, so no little fishies will gat caught or snails muck up the works. Let us know how it works. Look at my personal site, if you need a description on how to prime it. Great JOB!

[mrok12]

Thanks ,

I did add a tee so the intake flow is split. I am going to use strainers too.

MROK12

[myreef]

My only concern would be with all those elbows, how much flow will you lose? Did you decide on the MAG 12?

[mrok12]

I am going with the mag 12 and the 18 on the return.. What is the advantage if I use the mag 12 as the return and the 18 for circulation?


MROK12

[myreef]

I know lots of people that have large closed loops than circulation pumps. Just depends what you are trying to achieve. If you want more flow in the tnak for SPS, etc, then I would have the MAG 18 as the loop and the 12 as the circulation.

I think this will be your best option, based on how you have the loop, with multiple returns. It will give you more flow, but not blow fish out of the water. I would definitely put unions and gate valves on your return pump, so you can swap it out easily if you change your mind down the road.

[mrok12]

Thanks for the advice Andy. I think I will put unions and gates on for maintenance issues. This is fun. I never thought I would care about plumbing but it is cool.


MROK12

[crimsoncoral]

mrok12, is that 3/4" or 1" PVC in your closed loop? Thanks.

[organicreefer]

fwiw, the mags(at least the 12 on up) require 1" plumbing for max flow rates.

[golfish]

I like it, very simple and clean. I agree with scuba about moving the pump to the middle but try it and see how it works. Adding some Loc-line might help.......

Great job. This is one for the Archives.

Mark