[crimsoncoral]

I'm STILL setting up my Oceanic 180...and having read many posts on various BBS's I'm worried that default overflows that came with it won't be enough for GPH for healthy corals. I was wondering if anyone has ever supplemented the built in overflows with hang-on overflows like one from lifereef?

[Ninong]

You should be able to get 1600+gph through the sump with the standard dual 1" drains. You don't need to rely on just what goes through the sump. You can supplement with powerheads in the tank or with SeaSwirls on a closed loop. This will increase your total water movement.

I recommend you look into getting two 3/4" SeaSwirls, one mounted at each end of the tank. You would need a dedicated pump to run them. Each 3/4" SeaSwirl can take a maximum of 850gph, so you probably would want a pump capable of at least 1500gph. This pump would draw water directly from the tank and run it back in a closed loop through the SeaSwirls.

Two 3/4" SeaSwirls plus your sump return pump would give you a total of about 3000gph, which should work out fine on a 180-gal tank.

Ninong

[crimsoncoral]

That sounds like a good idea. I was however planning on using 2 1" SS on the sump return, can you see any issue with this? (other than the fact I won't be using the built-in return lines. Also do you have a picture of the closed loop SS solution? how many feet of tubing do you use for that(I'm guessing flex)? Also, what kind of pumps do you use on the closed loop? thanks!

[Ninong]

If you haven't already purchased your 1" SeaSwirls, I would suggest that the 3/4" size would be better for your size tank. Also, the 3/4" size accepts the regular 3/4" black fittings on the discharge end. The 1" size can take 1150gph each... 2300gph total, which is more than you can run through your original equipment corner overflows.

I don't have a picture of the closed loop SS solution but I can tell you the names of a bunch of people on this board who do use that approach and most of them have pics on their websites: npaden, RWD, Ltspd, Aragorn, Golfish, y mucho mas.

http://www.padens.homestead.com/tankplumbing.html

http://bobsreefermadness.homestead.c...ing_page1.html

Why not utilize the factory returns for your sump pump and then another pump for the SeaSwirls?

Ninong

P.S. -- Oops! Ltspd doesn't have a site, Golfish hasn't updated his site in ages--it doesn't show his new 150-gal tank, and Aragorn's site has been altered.

[Aragorn]

Ninong is right, IMO. And yes, I run 2 3/4" SS's on my tank w/ excellent results. The output is definitely strong enough to get water movement completely across the tank and even to the bottom. With the 1" SS's you may suffer from the output just "trickling"...so to speak...out from the SS's. I encountered this effect even w/ my 3/4" SS's when I attempted to connect them to a Mag12(1200GPH). As a result, I upgraded to a Mag18(1800GPH) and the results were awesome. Still running this same configuration. HTH

[crimsoncoral]

wow, thanks for the help. I haven't bought the 1" SS's yet and now I'm convinced to use the 3/4 in a closed loop (I've used the 3/4 before on my 75Gal). Then I'll use the built in returns for sump return. Thanks for the wisdom.

[Ninong]

Here's another tip for ya:

Jeff's has the 3/4" SeaSwirls on sale for $135 ea (most places charge $155 to $159): http://www.exoticfish.com/

Click on "Sale Products." This is his end-of-the-year sale and it ends in two days. It would be a good idea to register for the Exotic Fish Club first (if you're not already a member). Just click on Exotic Fish Club and enter your e-mail addy. That might get you a $10-off-your-first-order coupon--anyway, that's what I got when I registered last year sometime.

Ninong