How do I do a closed loop for Sea Swirls?

[Ben1]

Wow I really think Ernie nailed this one with his diagram, that is how I would do it. Or I would have a hole drilled directly in the overflow a bulkhead put in which connects directly to pvc pipe inside the overflow which goes directly to your closed loop pump through one of the 4 holes.

 

[Cappuccino Bay Aquarium]

I also have a tank where the return line is inside the overflow pipe.... a 3/4th inch pipe inside the 2inch drain pipe?

 

[Cappuccino Bay Aquarium]

Anther idea is to place the pump in the overhead canope? bolt a Dolphin pump on a rubber pad and its silient?

 

[esmithiii]

Chris,

Keep us posted, and be sure to take lots of pictures along the way!

Ernie

 

[John G]

It seems to me you would only need to add one extra hole in the bottom of your overflow for a total of three - one for the flow to the sump, one for the return from the sump to the tank and one for the return from the sump to the swirls. You might have to make the hole for the flow TO the sump larger. You must ensure you have enough capaciy for return flows (by gravity) to compensate for two pumps from the sump.

Not sure what type of pump you are using (external?) but I guess you would need an extra hole in your sump for the second pump. Is it possible for you to have just one pump and tee off its dicharge to the two systems?? Another question, since I must admit I'm not sure what sea swirls are, but can you eliminate the main (original) return and run all the return water through the swirls??

Assuming you want separate systems, it seems you would also need two additional holes on the top sides of your overflow chamber for the return lines to the swirls. This means there would have to be a tee somewhere in the plumbing inside the overflow chamber. If you do this, then you could run each line inside the tank along the top/back face. Now - how do you anchor this piping/tubing?? If your tank is acrylic with the edges on the top, I'm sure you could come up with some type of clip.

Hope this is of some help!!

 

[John G]

After posting found this website. Quite extensive plumbing on a 300 gal.

http://bobsreefermadness.homestead.com/300gal_plumbing_page1.html

 

[John G]

One last comment after reading the literature on the sea swirl. It seems that you can hook them up to an existing return. If this is so here is how I would do it on my tank.

My return line comes up from the sump through the overflow chamber then goes into the tank THEN it tees to two stationary discharges. I could remove the exiting discharge heads and connect plumbing to each side of the tee which would run to each sea swirl. I would still need to devise some method to attach the piping/tubing/swirls to the top/inside of the tank, but probably not a big deal.

Seems fairly simple - no holes to drill, no extra pumps, etc. I think this would work fine unless you want more discharges (returns) than just the two sea swirls.

 

[Anonymous]

Will do, I will post many pics of the process. It will be a huge learning experience for me, since all of my tanks to date have been plumbed with flexible tubing and only one return pump.