mister crabs Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Ok so i just picked up an acrylic 60 gallon cube with external overfow box. going to run a mag 7 as my return but before I fill it for the first time im thinking of drilling it for 1 drain in the back and 4 returns for a closed loop. my questions are is a closed loop worth it for a non sps dominated tank or should I just stick with my koralias? and what pump would you reccomend for this? I was told around 1000 gph was what I should shoot for but looking for second opinions. thanks for input. will get pics up when I finish the stand and start the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I don't like CL's because eventually the build-up in the pipes will reduce the flow and they will have to be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I'm still going to use 3 tunzi's hidden in the rock work on the 210. Not CL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I vote no for the closed loop. Add a Tunze or two or stick with your Koralias. Later ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Can you not clean the lines in a CL system? Seems like you would be able to.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Yes, bottle brush, disconnect, lower water level, corals out of water. Any questions? If i did do one i would put it in the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Ive seen some bad buildup. Especially systems running high amounts of variables. Bottle brush wouldnt really do the trick on those I dont think. maybe if you were really religious about it, maybe. Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I have seen them set-up and running with little maintanence for many years. Some are done very nicely and really make things look nice. That being said, I still wouldn't do it. I like the ability to have a bit more control of my flow. I also don't like to worry about leaks, clogs, overgrowth getting in the way, draining the tank, or reaching in areas way out of normal arm length. Garrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I just went with a closed loop. I personally like the clean look (so far) of no power heads. As for the build up...it will occur in EVERY piece of plumbing you have whether you like it or not (trust me when I say I have figured this out the hard way)! Pipes get down right stinky and slimy....closed loop, return, or overflow! Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 If I remember right......... I heard that when S.W. took his tank down that the CL lines were half plugged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I don't see how the CL plumbing would get more clogged than your overflow and return plumbing??? How often do all of you clean your drain and return pipes?? I've never done it. If you put the shutoff valves and unions in the right spots it would be very simple to clean those pipes. I would go CL for the clean look. Powerheads are just as difficult to position the flow and take up room. I would make sure the input to the pump is twice the size of the outputs, ie 1.5" intake with 4 - 3/4" outlets. Plus wouldn't you have to clean the powerheads anyway?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 thats kind of why i wanted the cl. because i went to the trouble to get the overflow external to avoin any plumbing or distractions in the tank. I was going to put unions on each output from the pump. I was going to go with a 1.5 drain returned to four 3/4 return nozzles. I just need to figure out which pump to run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 That sounds like a great setup. Use those valves with the union to give yourself more room if you can afford the extra $$ of course. A dart would work great on that. Quiet, and you can throttle it back if you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 +1 for the closed loop, poweheads, vortechs, tunze, (forgive me for saying this) they are all huge eyesoars and distract from natural beauty of a reef tank, grant4d i know they serve a purpose, use 2 koralias on my frag tank, but they would never ever make it into the reef, Furthermore i agree with miles, i don't see how they could clog up any faster than the rest of your plumping, which is not fast, and if they did clog up that fast then the same would happen to a powerhead in fact i regularly have to clean my koralia's as it is to compete with coralline algae, granted it is easier to to remove a powerhead than to disassemble a cl system, butit is still a pita. I say set it up correctly in the first place, with the correct amount of flow, whether you do that through a cl or an oceancs motions plumbed into your return, I just think there are prettier ways of getting maximum flow without cluttering up your tank with a bunch of powerheads. Don't hate me all you tunze and vortech diehards! I'm not saying they don;t serve a purpose, just that IMHO they are an eyesore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 i looked at a dart and the only one i saw was over 300 bux and was like 2000 gph. any other decent pump suggestions? Im only looking to get about 1000 gph at most and that price is a little out of my budget. I may just set it up with the koralias for now as I am moving in 3 months and then I could drill and setup the CL while its drained. I want to get it setup soon cuz i am runninga 29g biocube with no skimmer or sump and want the benefits of a sump /true fuge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Waves has them for less then that. Plus the Dart comes with a 3 year warranty. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I am going with a dart on my new cube closed loop system - good flow and great warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidalsculpin Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Could one over engineer their closed loop to compensate for buildup? His system is a 60 so he could use 1 and half inch pipe instead of 1"" and then routinely clean out his nozzles that were reduced for higher flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I vote closed loop as well. and I vote for the (little brother of the dart) Snapper as a closed loop pump. We spend all this time trying to make our tanks look good,, why not do it without putting a big box, or small football in the tank when you dont have too? the Snapper does 2500gph but can be throttled back to 400gph safely. why not choose a pump that has an amazing track record, runs almost silently, has an awesome warrantee, excellent customer service, all for a reasonable price that can be purchased locally for less than the minimum advertised price of $229.99? Hey Mike you wanna place a bet to see if Steve W puts a loop on his next tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 well I live in vegas so it wouldnt really be locally....lol.....but sending you a pm ondetails joel. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Hey Mike you wanna place a bet to see if Steve W puts a loop on his next tank? I dont know last time I heard he wasnt going to. But things do change. I will bet you Joel a ...........snickers!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I dont know last time I heard he wasnt going to. But things do change. I will bet you Joel a ...........snickers!!! YOUR ON! YOUR ON! YOUR ON! Had to say it 3 times, cause YOUR ON! is too short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Hey Mike you wanna place a bet to see if Steve W puts a loop on his next tank? No as I'm not a betting man!! (laugh)(laugh)(laugh) I know he will. I'm just stating that his lost a lot of volume over time due to it. But on something that large you almost have to have a CL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I have a snapper pump on my 60 gallon cube and love it. I will never have a tank again without one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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