[shaywood]

Do closed loop systems use sumps? I'm having a new 125g tank plumbed with a closed loop system, but I don't understand how skimmers, sumps, and refugiums come into play? Are they part of the closed system, or does a separate line have to be run from the tank?

[Randy1]

Closed loop runs separate from your sump. The sump is an external tank, the water from your over-flows from your main tank. Skimmers usually run from the sump. Try to search for some pictures on the Internet.

[Reefland]

And a closed loop is just that, a drain from the tank connected to the pump input and the pump output going straight back to the tank.

[kevinpo]

Here is a picture showing both open and closed loop systems. The pump in the center of the tank draws water from the tank and delivers in back through the four Sea Swirls across the front of the tank. This is a closed loop system.
The pipes on either side of the tank drain down to the sump which is then returned to the tank. This is an open loop system. The difference is that when the power is turned off, water in the closed loop system stays in the pipes, but in the open loop system the water in the tank and pipes drains down until the slots in the overflow are above the tank water level. This causes a rise in the sump of several inches which if not planned for can cause a wet floor.

Regards,
Kevin

[BubbaWPB]

Sorry for the thread hijack, but hey, Kevin, how do you like the Sea Swirls? How do they compare to a Tunze stream/controller?

[kevinpo]

I use both but I prefer the Sea Swirls. They are better built and easier to install. They also cover a greater area and are less obtrusive. The Streams move a lot of water but are unidirectional. I have 2 - 6100's and a 6200 on my home tank along with 4 - 3/4" Sea Swirls. They total about 15,000 gph but I could use more of course . I may add another 5,000gal/hr or so. The branchy type corals are sure good at stopping water flow.

Regards,
Kevin

[golfish]

I broke one of my 1" SS's two years ago when I setup the new tank. I tried to replace the barb fitting with a 1" pipe PVC fitting. At the time they were already 3 years old. I sent the broken SS back for repair. They pretty much replaced the whole inside along with a new motor for 40.00 (shipping included) It worked so well plus made less noise that I sent back the other one.

Great customer service along with a great product.

[BubbaWPB]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I appreciate it. Hard sometimes to compare claims in advertising.

[canada55]

Closed loop system check it out

Oceans Motions