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Help putting together the overflow and closed loop systems for the new 150g.

Hog Head

By Hog Head
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Hog Head Shark

Hog Head

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Well I have never done a closed loop or drilled before, but I am only into the tank for $175 so why not. First, I decided to use a glass-holes 1500gph overflow which will have two 1.5" drains. That brings up the first ?, what size should I run for the return? I was leaning toward an iwaki md40rxt or a snapper pump. I will have about 5-6' head pressure.

 

Second, I was planning on using a dart for the closed loop. I am not sure what sizes to use. 2" for the suction side and 1/2"-1" for the return side? Any help designing this will be appreciated. Thanks

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MVPaquatics Zoanthid

MVPaquatics

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Dart pumps are 2 inch suction, 1.5 return. I like to do two 1.5 inch bulkheads for suction to spread it out. For return, you can do 1-1.5 inch (not common) to as many as say like 6 if you used 3/4 inch locline.

 

As for return pump you really need to have more of an idea the exact size to know what size you want it to be.

 

Spray bars are easy and dont require drilling

 

What are dimensions of tank? And glass or acrylic?

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Hog Head Shark

Hog Head

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The tank is 1/2" glass by marineland. Dims are 48x24x30.

 

Well I have never done a closed loop or drilled before, but I am only into the tank for $175 so why not. First, I decided to use a glass-holes 1500gph overflow which will have two 1.5" drains. That brings up the first ?, what size should I run for the return? I was leaning toward an iwaki md40rxt or a snapper pump. I will have about 5-6' head pressure.

 

Second, I was planning on using a dart for the closed loop. I am not sure what sizes to use. 2" for the suction side and 1/2"-1" for the return side? Any help designing this will be appreciated. Thanks

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impur Poseidon

impur

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Dart pumps are 2 inch suction, 1.5 return. I like to do two 1.5 inch bulkheads for suction to spread it out. For return, you can do 1-1.5 inch (not common) to as many as say like 6 if you used 3/4 inch locline.

 

As for return pump you really need to have more of an idea the exact size to know what size you want it to be.

 

Spray bars are easy and dont require drilling

 

What are dimensions of tank? And glass or acrylic?

 

This is a good suggestion, and kinda what we talked about when you were at my place. I'd go for the 2-1.5" intakes.

 

I've drilled several tanks, so when you are ready i'd be glad to help out.

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wanareef Zoanthid

wanareef

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This is my current CL set-up. On the bakc wall there are 2x 2" BH's for intake to the pump (have screens for the Bh's to keep fish and snails out) the return is in each corner 1"

 

The pump is a 4200 something with a Hayward 3-way ball valve and a 1 rpm motor on top my version of an Ocean's Motion. There will be lots of flow with this pump. I always use to 2" BH for the suction and this is to "soften" the suction so the scales won't get stripped off the fish or the anemones getting sucked thru like meatballs

 

back-.jpg

 

pump-cl.jpg

 

It's too hard to feed the CL thru a overflow unless you pump it right even then trouble can happen , It's best to take it from the tank back wall.

 

hope this helps

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Hog Head Shark

Hog Head

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This is a good suggestion, and kinda what we talked about when you were at my place. I'd go for the 2-1.5" intakes.

 

I've drilled several tanks, so when you are ready i'd be glad to help out.

 

Cool, if I wanted to use the drill press I found a place that rents them plus shipping. It would be about $100 total. They are supposed to drill nice square straight holes with out chip out/damage. Do you just use a hand held drill?

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Hog Head Shark

Hog Head

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It helps me alot, thanks for the pics.

 

This is my current CL set-up. On the bakc wall there are 2x 2" BH's for intake to the pump (have screens for the Bh's to keep fish and snails out) the return is in each corner 1"

 

The pump is a 4200 something with a Hayward 3-way ball valve and a 1 rpm motor on top my version of an Ocean's Motion. There will be lots of flow with this pump. I always use to 2" BH for the suction and this is to "soften" the suction so the scales won't get stripped off the fish or the anemones getting sucked thru like meatballs

 

back-.jpg

 

pump-cl.jpg

 

It's too hard to feed the CL thru a overflow unless you pump it right even then trouble can happen , It's best to take it from the tank back wall.

 

hope this helps

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impur Poseidon

impur

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Well the pros for the vortechs would be no plumbing, variable flow patterns, and ease of cleaning. Plus if you ever want to sell the tank later down the road, some people don't want holes in the back wall.

 

The pros for the closed loop is no equip in the tank, directional flow wherever you need/want it, and maybe less power usage depending on the pump.

 

Those are just some things off the top of my head.......

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reef165 Acropora

reef165

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The pro's for vortex is everything, there will be just as much, well more in the tank with a closed loop with 2 supply's to the pump, and at least 4 returns, plus all the plumbing parts and pump cost allot, and the pump will prob run at about 100 watts, and yes the selling factor when/if you decide to sell the tank with holes in it, all there is with the vortex is a couple small turbines in the tank, one mp40 will be more flow than one dart, no potential for leaks down the road, and together they use what, 20 watts. to me the price for doing either is a wash, it comes down to ease of maintinance, flow, reliability, and leak factor.

 

JM2C

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Hog Head Shark

Hog Head

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This is kind of what I have been reading on other forums. Plus I do like the idea of less holes in the back of the tank. One MP40 would be abOut the same cost as the Dart. The tank is not a cube but would it work with the vortices mounted on the back of the tank? The reason I was going to go CL was to help prevent a nem from being sucked into a power head but I guess it would be about the same as one getting sucked into the strainer on the CL inlets.

 

Well the pros for the vortechs would be no plumbing, variable flow patterns, and ease of cleaning. Plus if you ever want to sell the tank later down the road, some people don't want holes in the back wall.

 

The pros for the closed loop is no equip in the tank, directional flow wherever you need/want it, and maybe less power usage depending on the pump.

 

Those are just some things off the top of my head.......

 

The pro's for vortex is everything, there will be just as much, well more in the tank with a closed loop with 2 supply's to the pump, and at least 4 returns, plus all the plumbing parts and pump cost allot, and the pump will prob run at about 100 watts, and yes the selling factor when/if you decide to sell the tank with holes in it, all there is with the vortex is a couple small turbines in the tank, one mp40 will be more flow than one dart, no potential for leaks down the road, and together they use what, 20 watts. to me the price for doing either is a wash, it comes down to ease of maintinance, flow, reliability, and leak factor.

 

JM2C

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