Closed loop vs multi powerheads

[Tony Quinn]

Further to my post on Friday, closed loop systems have been suggested to me! any suggested plumbing guys, Ive not seen or used this sytem before. Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Try here--> http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=28069

He's got a really good diagram in there (even though he's having flow troubles) that should give you an idea of how a closed loop is plumbed. I hope this helps!

 

[ChrisRD]

Also, if you look down the page a bit, there's a thread going about a 300 gallon tank with two closed loops on it.

The author (steve F) posted his website address with lots of progress pics of the setup. You'll find images of his closed loops here:

http://stevesreefroom.com/new_page_2.htm

 

[clk2609]

are you going to do closed loop from back of tank? i did not have room at the back of my tank so did closed loop from side. Can see some PVC but as long as my corals and fishies are happy, so am i

 

[steve F]

Hi everyone,

I love the flow the closed loops are giving to my tank. Its just awesome flow, without the look of power heads.

It will be hard to do my set-up without having room behind the tank or a fishroom. But for one closed loop and the pump under the stand, it can be done.

Steve
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[Anonymous]

I am actually amazed that anyone who frequents these boards uses powerheads in a reeftank anymore. A simple closed loop is just so easy, looks so much better, is so much easier to maintain, and makes it so much easier to direct the water flow over in tank powerheads.

Go for it!

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
I agree with the pros of CL you mentioned, and I used it myself. However, keep in mind that CL involve drilling tank in most setup, and dropping a few powerheads here and there is a lot easier for some people.

 

[Anonymous]

Robin,
I know what you mean, and I think the drilling myth is what I am really going after. It is easy to plumb a pvc 'u' and avoid drilling altogeather for a CL.

 

[mountainbiker619]

I agree..here is a great example of a closed loop with no drilling of the aquarium
www.crownsoftware.net/Aquarium/Images/P ... _Inlet.jpg
www.crownsoftware.net/Aquarium/Images/P ... Return.jpg
Hat is off to King Jason for this design.

 

[bradsark]

It is easy to plumb a pvc 'u' and avoid drilling altogeather for a CL.

are there any negatives to doing it like that?

 

[ChrisRD]

are there any negatives to doing it like that?

You can get a cleaner look by drilling it, but functionally there's no real difference.

 

[ChrisRD]

FWIW, one of the things I really dislike about powerheads is the amount of noise and vibration they generate within the tank.

When I put my ear to the tank glass, my CL is much quieter (with little to no vibration) than powerheads (even small ones) despite the fact that it is moving many times the volume of water through the tank.

I'm not sure if this actually has any effect on the tank inhabitants, but the difference is very noticeable.

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

It is easy to plumb a pvc 'u' and avoid drilling altogeather for a CL.

are there any negatives to doing it like that?

hi.
Yeah, another one is that if the inlet is not low enough, the siphon may break during power off. But that usually does not happen in most CL since the inlet usually way below the water line.

 

[ChrisRD]

Yeah, another one is that if the inlet is not low enough, the siphon may break during power off. But that usually does not happen in most CL since the inlet usually way below the water line.

I've drained mine below the inlets with no problems. Enough water stayed in the pump and plumbing for it to restart. It did "burp" some air though for a few minutes...

 

[reefNewbie]

the thing i like about powerheads, seeing as i just bought 3 maxi jet 1200's and a wavemaster (from righty ) is that you can angle them to direct water where ever you need the flow. I was going to get another OR pump and a SS. I already have a 1in SS now and It doesnt direct water down, just at the surface of the tank. So by having the SS and PH's i get flow at the top of the tank, and wherever else i direct the PH's.

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

I've drained mine below the inlets with no problems. Enough water stayed in the pump and plumbing for it to restart. It did "burp" some air though for a few minutes...

.... you must have started the main pump before starting the CL pump, didn't you? Not everybody have this common sense, you know

 

[ChrisRD]

the main pump before starting the CL pump, didn't you? Not everybody have this common sense, you know

Yes, I made sure the loop intake was back under water before restarting the pump so it didn't suck any air and lose the prime. Good point...

 

[steve F]

I will never go back to powerheads.

Here are a few pics from the bottom of my tank before i filled it. These change back and forth with a motorized ball valves.

Steve
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[ChrisRD]

the thing i like about powerheads....is that you can angle them to direct water where ever you need the flow.

You can use flexible ball-socket tubing to direct hard plumbing or SS outlets to whereever you want. I actually think these are even easier to adjust than powerheads.

Don't get me wrong - I don't think powerheads are all bad. They are very cost effective and energy efficient.

This, like just about any other situation has it's +s and -s... :wink: