Closed Loop setups/designs???

wastedincome420 · 12-19-2001, 05:17 PM

I've been trying to take my time setting up my new 105g tank so tht I can do asmuch research aspossible BEFORE I start so that I wasted time/money.

I here a lot now about people setting up a "Closed Loop" recirulation on larger sized tanks. Which I think helps keep power heads out.
I would like to know how most are setup. Whaer to suck from?How do mot return, (spraybar?SeaSwirl?) Whats the best GPH?? Wht size holes do yo drill??
I'm still in the "gather parts and do research" part of my setup and I have allready drilled the top corner of my tank for an over flow. And I won't able to afford an big pump (I was thinking of an AMP 3000) before I start the cycle,etc. So I figured that Since its some I will be planning on doing in he future that I Should drill the back of the tank and add the bulk head fittings now and just plug them till I'm ready

PS: Since I've joined this BB I have had alot of good advice giving to me and want to say "thanks"

Starmstr · 12-19-2001, 09:32 PM

Use your search function on the BB and no doubt you'll beable to find the appropriate answers to your questions.

FISHme · 12-23-2001, 09:59 PM

While you are at it, it would also be a good idea to incorporate a cleanout set up on your closed loop while you put it together.
I built my loop without doing this but today was the day I added it to mine .
I have had my closed loop / chiller system running for at least a year and have never been able to clean it .
I noticed a reduction at the I" sea swirl outlet lately so today when I woke up and thought what might I do today I figured how to accomplish my task.
I thought it over for quite some time and came up with the system in the photo.
I added the ball valves to the existing system just before they enter the tank on the opposite side of the wall.
The way it is set up is that I can shut off the intake and outlet going to the tank by closing the top ball valves. Then I just plug my hoses into the fittings on the bottom ball valves , open em up , add bleach to the rubbermade tub and switch on the mag 18 .
I flushed out the system today and was able to notice the difference of the flow.
This works like a charm.
I rigged it so that I can do a water change and flush at the same time .
I used hoses connected to my change out tank and hoses running from the spicket to flush and refill the system.
I used the enviromentalsafe clorox bleach , found it at home depot today.It says once it is washed down it turns basically to salt water .
I'm just so excited that this turned out so well because there was quite a bit of GOBBITY GOOP inside the pvc and can imagine how the inside of the chiller and pump must have looked also.

FISHme · 12-23-2001, 10:02 PM

FISHme · 12-23-2001, 10:16 PM

I run my loop out to my patio where the chiller is . The distance round trip is about 40 ft.

wastedincome420 · 12-24-2001, 04:15 PM

Thanks for the tip FISHme

I'll remember that when I get to setting mine up.
I think found some great bulkhead fittings a work the other day. What is really kool is that they come with a drain cover that doesn't stick out too far like the ones I've seen at other places. They are black (which is great cause the back of my tank is painted black) and are bout 4" round and stick out less then 1". Plus the BH nut on the back can take either 1 1/2" or 2" .
I think I will use two BH's tee'd together bout half way down the backof the tank for the intake side of my closed loop

But I'm still unsure of what to do for the return side, Maybe I'll just run them up and over the back of tank.

FISHme · 12-24-2001, 04:30 PM

You can do it that way if you are on a budget, most people are going with sea swirl$ . A few more wastedincome again

http://community.webtv.net/MarkPelski/REEF

wastedincome420 · 12-27-2001, 08:40 PM

Well I would love to just run out and buy a couple of SeaSwirl's, but I am on a budget

. I figure I can always add the SS's later(which i do plan) Right now I want to spend the $$ on the things I can't change after I have water in it. (Like trying to drill the tank for a closed loop with 100g of water in it)( I can atleast drill it and install bulkheads now and leave them plugged off till I'm ready to buy everything)

12-19-2001, 05:17 PM	#1
wastedincome420 Council Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NH Posts: 270	Closed Loop setups/designs??? I've been trying to take my time setting up my new 105g tank so tht I can do asmuch research aspossible BEFORE I start so that I wasted time/money. I here a lot now about people setting up a "Closed Loop" recirulation on larger sized tanks. Which I think helps keep power heads out. I would like to know how most are setup. Whaer to suck from?How do mot return, (spraybar?SeaSwirl?) Whats the best GPH?? Wht size holes do yo drill?? I'm still in the "gather parts and do research" part of my setup and I have allready drilled the top corner of my tank for an over flow. And I won't able to afford an big pump (I was thinking of an AMP 3000) before I start the cycle,etc. So I figured that Since its some I will be planning on doing in he future that I Should drill the back of the tank and add the bulk head fittings now and just plug them till I'm ready PS: Since I've joined this BB I have had alot of good advice giving to me and want to say "thanks"

12-19-2001, 09:32 PM	#2
Starmstr Citizen Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 170	Use your search function on the BB and no doubt you'll beable to find the appropriate answers to your questions. __________________ Eat the meat and spit out the bones

12-23-2001, 09:59 PM	#3
FISHme Council Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida Posts: 495	While you are at it, it would also be a good idea to incorporate a cleanout set up on your closed loop while you put it together. I built my loop without doing this but today was the day I added it to mine . I have had my closed loop / chiller system running for at least a year and have never been able to clean it . I noticed a reduction at the I" sea swirl outlet lately so today when I woke up and thought what might I do today I figured how to accomplish my task. I thought it over for quite some time and came up with the system in the photo. I added the ball valves to the existing system just before they enter the tank on the opposite side of the wall. The way it is set up is that I can shut off the intake and outlet going to the tank by closing the top ball valves. Then I just plug my hoses into the fittings on the bottom ball valves , open em up , add bleach to the rubbermade tub and switch on the mag 18 . I flushed out the system today and was able to notice the difference of the flow. This works like a charm. I rigged it so that I can do a water change and flush at the same time . I used hoses connected to my change out tank and hoses running from the spicket to flush and refill the system. I used the enviromentalsafe clorox bleach , found it at home depot today.It says once it is washed down it turns basically to salt water . I'm just so excited that this turned out so well because there was quite a bit of GOBBITY GOOP inside the pvc and can imagine how the inside of the chiller and pump must have looked also. Last edited by FISHme; 12-23-2001 at 10:19 PM.

12-23-2001, 10:16 PM	#5
FISHme Council Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida Posts: 495	I run my loop out to my patio where the chiller is . The distance round trip is about 40 ft. Last edited by FISHme; 12-23-2001 at 10:32 PM.

12-24-2001, 04:30 PM	#7
FISHme Council Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida Posts: 495	You can do it that way if you are on a budget, most people are going with sea swirl$ . A few more wastedincome again http://community.webtv.net/MarkPelski/REEF __________________ FISH, FISHme or [\[\ark Last edited by FISHme; 12-24-2001 at 04:33 PM.

12-23-2001, 10:02 PM	#4
FISHme Council Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida Posts: 495	>

12-24-2001, 04:15 PM	#6
wastedincome420 Council Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NH Posts: 270	Thanks for the tip FISHme I'll remember that when I get to setting mine up. I think found some great bulkhead fittings a work the other day. What is really kool is that they come with a drain cover that doesn't stick out too far like the ones I've seen at other places. They are black (which is great cause the back of my tank is painted black) and are bout 4" round and stick out less then 1". Plus the BH nut on the back can take either 1 1/2" or 2" . I think I will use two BH's tee'd together bout half way down the backof the tank for the intake side of my closed loop But I'm still unsure of what to do for the return side, Maybe I'll just run them up and over the back of tank.

12-27-2001, 08:40 PM	#8
wastedincome420 Council Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NH Posts: 270	Well I would love to just run out and buy a couple of SeaSwirl's, but I am on a budget . I figure I can always add the SS's later(which i do plan) Right now I want to spend the $$ on the things I can't change after I have water in it. (Like trying to drill the tank for a closed loop with 100g of water in it)( I can atleast drill it and install bulkheads now and leave them plugged off till I'm ready to buy everything)

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