closed loop question

D

dp1416

well i set up the 300 this weekend and i elected to go ahead and use the closed loop set up that was drilled in the bottom of the tank. There was a 1.5 drain and 1.5 return bulk head and what i did was run the drain via 1.5 inch plumbing to a 1 inch reducer to the iwaki xrlt40 pump and go back to the tank via a 1 inch reducer to a 1.5 inch pipe to the 1.5 inch bulkhead at the bottom of the tank. From the tank i went with a 1 inch pipe with a tee and made a bar that comes from the left side of the tank to the right. so from the left i have a linelock that is covered in the rock and in the middle i tee'd off and made a small spray bar running between the two overflows and on the right i used a line lock hidden in the rock. The pump is rated at 1200 gallons per hour and i do like the flow of it, but my question is.

Other than heat and having pumps in the tank, what are the advantages. It seems as if the iwaki pumps are running about 130ish watts and i can get the same random flow with a koralia 4 (1200 gph)? It seem seems that the postion is the only advantage that i can think of. I am debating on not using it since i will have two tunze 6100s on a multi controller. Seems like a waste of energy to me.

Please offer suggestions and comments. I would agree to anyone in advance that the planning and layout of the two holes is less than favorable, but i had to work with what i had.

Her is a simple version of what i had (crude drawing)

xxx = overflow
o = hole for the return
O = 3/4 line lock hidden in rock
+ = tee used to come off main line to create spraybar
- = 1inch pvc

________________________________
l XXX o --+--- XXX l
l l l l
l O
<hr class="bbcode_rule" />
l
<hr class="bbcode_rule" />
+
<hr class="bbcode_rule" />
O l
l__________________________
 
big reason i like the closed loops is so you do not have to see the big bulky koralias in the tank...agreed it is a big power reducer, but i like a clean looking tank. and the added heat as well, it is cheap to heat a tank, not necessarily to cool.
 
the downside is to get some really good flow 3-4k you need like a sequence pump and that think runs like 170w and runs 300 bux!
 
not much better than the route i am taking on my tank, i got 2 vortecs for my primary flow, $900 so far for them
 
i just looked, and i didnt realize it either, but the pump im using for my closed loop is 140 watts...geeez, those pumps are hogs...but, anyways, one other big reason i am using my closed loop, is not necesarilly the primary flow, but to direct some flow behind and under the rock work where a powerhead may not necessarily fit
 
i agree, i think i am going to go with a smaller pump and use the spraybar to do the same thing. you should stop buy and see the new 300, looks much bigger than my 210! Go figure!
 
yea, ill have to find some time, so busy here lately, allthough, u r like 5 mins from me now...so maybe i can get time, lol...is everything done?
 
yeah for the most part. i need to finish the raised panel doors and set up the skimmer and build a canopy, but it is up and running
 
closed loops probalby lost some desire with low wattage high flow pumps like mj mods and the hydors. but closed loops do offer optionms on moving water from one space to another especially if you run some in tank plumbing

i happen to run both and they both serve a purpose - good luck with your build and post pics as you go
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top