Plumbing design for my 75Gal Closed loop - need opinions

[andro]

This is the first drawing of what I am planning on doing for my closed loop. Please let me know if you would make any changes to it. If you think it is terrible, please let me know so I can make any needed changes. If you think it is a good idea let me know also. I am still new to all of this and would like to hear the advice of others more experienced.

The tank is an All-Glass 75EE 4'w x 20"t x 18'd. I am planning on using 2 SQWD for wave movement (don't know if it is overkill for a 75)

Since the bottom glass can't be drilled, I have two 1 1/2 in bulkheads drilled in the corners, one for the closed loop and the other for the sump.


I am planning on keeping SPS, Clams and some soft coral I have now.


Thanks in advance,
Ian

 

[Anonymous]

Hello Andro, and welcome to reefs.org. You can find plenty of info here on closed loops and I am sure plenty of folks will post great suggestions in this thread. I have not personally plumbed a closed loop myself, so my opinion is based on what i have read. I think your plan looks pretty good.

Check out the library by checking on the link above. You could also do a search for "closed loop" and get plenty of good reading material as this question has been posted many time before.

Your avartar and drawing is way cool! What program to use use for the drawing?

Louey

 

[CptnJack]

Welcome to RDO...

IMHO
Looks good except for a couple of small things to consider.

1. Drop the input for the loop lower. I made mine about 2.5" below drop off level for the return so when I do water changes, or shut off the sump return to work on it (clean skimmer etc), I still have flow in the tank. Don't go too low or you'll have a hard time reaching the strainer and may suck up substrate. Get 2 strainers for quick switching to ease cleaning.

2. I would put valves on the outward side of the "Y" This will allow you to set one side higher, shut one side off, or to adjust for even flow between the two sides.

3. I would raise the loop pump as high as I could, less head = more current.

4. Whatever pump your thinking, get a bigger one. I had a MAG 18 on mine, thought that was a lot. Now I have a MAG 24 and should have went with a 36.

5. Just a tip incase you were thinkng otherwise... Use black hose to plumb it or PVC. Clear hose will grow algae like a mutha.

Hope this helps, good luck with your new set up.

 

[Len]

Ok, not to rehash the point over and over again, but .....
WELCOME TO REEFS.ORG!

I'd also consider halving the number of returns from the sump. It looks like you're planning on 4 returns, which, with the closed loop, seems a bit extraneous. A simplier system is a better system. Other then that, Cptn got it pretty much covered

 

[ChrisRD]

I'd also consider halving the number of returns from the sump. It looks like you're planning on 4 returns, which, with the closed loop, seems a bit extraneous.

You lost me here Len. I don't think he's showing any returns from the sump, this is his closed loop plumbing, right?

I would raise the loop pump as high as I could, less head = more current.

CptnJack raised some good points, but I'll have to respectfully disagree here. It's a closed loop, so position of the pump (ie. gravity head) shouldn't be much of a factor in performance. That is the point of a closed loop system - to basically eliminate gravity head.



I'd agree that you'll want a valve on each side of the "Y" so you can control flows to either side.

Don't forget some shutoff valves/unions so you can remove your pump for maintenance too.

Personally, I think I'd extend the inner two returns up to the front like the outer two are.

IMO it looks very good - don't think I'd change much...

 

[andro]

Thanks for all of the replies. I forgot to mention it in my original post, but I am planning on putting in some unions as well as ball valves to make maint. a lot easier.

CptnJack,

Yes, black is better, I used to have clear tubing to a Fluval and it was a bi$%h to keep clean. I was originally thinking of a Mag24 to get 2400gph, but then I was reconsidering with an Iwaki, I like the flow out of the Mag24 so I might keep it for a bit and if it is just not right, it will be the pump in my salt mixing tank.

Louey,

The drawing was made in Visio and then saved as a JPG. When I get back home after the weekend, I will modify it to include unions and ball valves. My avitar was a lot of fun playing around with photoshop and Finding Nemo.

Len,

Since this is my closed loop, it is not going to be near my sump, and when I do water changes, since I am going to stop the flow to my sump and change the water in there, the closed loop will still be on to maintain flow in my reef.

ChrisRD,

I might extend the inner returns like you suggested, I will post my return from my sump on Monday and you will see that I am going to have my sump returns on the inside, to give break up the sirface of the water, so it might be in my best interest to have the closed loop returns on the outside, this way it also makes the lines out of the SQWD the same length.



Again thanks everyone for your replies, if anyone else has any comments, please let me know. I am going to start buying some more stuff next weekend. I am also going to post pics of the construction.