who's got closed loops

[LA-Lawman]

Hi,

Who has got a closed loop plumbed and how did you do it? what type of tubing is best and how did u rig the return?

any pics would be great too.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a simple one involving no drilling. 3/4 pvc with a strainer in the tank, goes up to a U outside the tank where its attached to flexible tubing to the Mag9 that sits on the floor. Back up flex tube to the sea-swirl.

You just have to fill the loop with water before you start it the first time- I held a small powerhead against the outlet of the seaswirl and that did it.

 

[King Jason]

Mines explained on my website with some pictures too.

What are you looking at doing?

 

[LA-Lawman]

what pumps do you guys suggest?

i was thinking a quiet one, or maybe an ocean runner.... I havent used a mag in a long time. can u plumb them externaly?


how are the sea-swirls made now. i now before there was problems with the motors...


anywhoooo

 

[Anonymous]

I have a couple of Mags running externally- on the Marine Depot site it says you shouldn't but I don't know why. All other places I've see say they can be either. Mine seems fine.

 

[King Jason]

The Quiet One pump worked fine for me as my chillers pump. But I have heard stories from others about them breaking. How many GPH do you want from this closed loop?

 

[LA-Lawman]

i am looking for 700-900gph. i am might split the return to two 3/4 sea swirls.....

 

[King Jason]

With 3-4ft head I don't think the Quiet One will produce 700-900 gph. You may want to look into a larger Mag or Iwaki pump.

 

[Tinker]

I just ordered a Mak-4 for a closed loop on a 125g. I pondered using a stream pump for a while but decided on the pump and sea swirls. No one complains about the SS but the stream pumps get mixed reviews. I just need to poke a couple of holes in it for the suction lines. Cheaper sea swirls wouldn't hurt either.

 

[LA-Lawman]

why poke wholes. the whole idea is to plumb them externaly so you dont have to worry about flooding your sump.


unless i am getting the wrong idea.

 

[Tinker]

Most of the closed loops I see have 1 or 2 holes somewhere in the middle of the back of the tank feeding the suction side of the pump. Then discharge up and over to sprayers or sea swirls. The water never goes through the sump.

 

[LA-Lawman]

ahhh, got ya.

just took it the other way.

i was thinking of making a 1" PVC "J" tube and the splitting it off for two feeds if needed. I don't think i will need two feeds.