Circulation for a 210 gal

[mark]

My understanding is that you were planning the Dart as the return from the sump with it's outlet in the tank pointing to the Tunze. If that's the case, the Dart is not on a closed loop, it's just a return pump (and with the Tunze lots of turbulent currents)

Closed Loop (CL) implies zero head. The inlet to the pump is directly from the tank and the returns are below the tank water level.

Here's a link to the manifold (with picture) http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pbh2oret.htm


If you do consider a CL, can do one without OM products but the Waterpix section have lots of pictures of CL:
http://www.oceansmotions.com/forum/v...5afba39b2335f1 (mentioned before I'm bias to CLs, I'm DAS75 with the 4-way and Dart)

Don't have a Tunze and they seem like great pumps but if you want to keep your tank clean of powerheads and since you have such a large tank, might consider the Dart on the CL with a smaller return pump. Really then the only flow required through the sump is enough for the skimmer. Some people have problems with high flow through the sump causing micro-bubbles though I'm okay at about 1000gph with a 75g sump.

Things I enjoyed about starting my new tank was researching through all the different options but then all the choices and opinions can also be a bit frustrating.

[TheReefGeek]

I think he is now thinking of going with the Dart on a closed loop manifold like I do.

You are going to have much more than 1 foot of head pressure on the manifold though. First you need to suck water up out of the tank (I use a 1/5" pvc length for this, with slits cut all in it to diffuse the water flow so the pressure per square inch is reduced to a decent level.

You get some head pressure from sucking water up, then for every 10 feet of so of pipe you have 1 foot more, plus 1 foot more for each 90 degree turn.

Try the dart on a closed loop manifold, go 1" all around, with 5-6 t's that are 1" going down to 1/2" threaded so you can thread in 1/2" loc line with nozzles. If you want to test cheaply, start with 1/2" 45" elbows instead of loc line to see if the total flow is good enough, this is what I started with, then bought the loc line later.

[ed99]

Yep, I think I wll do the closed loop with a manifold and a Dart as you suggest. I can see why there would be some head loss if it is 1" pipe. Is there a reason to use such small bore pipe? Also Rory- what do you mean by a 1/5" PVC length? And are all the fittings you suggest available at places like Home Depot or are they more specialized parts?

So what I am looking at now is a 500-1000 gph return pump to get the tank cycling and then adding the CL. If that's not enough flow I'll add the Tunze later.

Yep, there are a lot of options and I'm sure most of them will work but it is interesting to read about what others have done. I'm hoping to minimize the amount of money spent on re-doing something so it is good to be able to bounce the ideas off some of the more experienced folks out there.

Ed

[TheReefGeek]

Sorry I meant 1/2" pipe.

I used 1" because that was recommended to me, and it works, but Im not worried about head pressure because I throttle back my pump anyways.

[EmilyB]

Oh my Ed, that is simply gorgeous ! Nemo is very healthy and happy and waiting to go home. He is an incredible fish, and we will probably replace him.

Did I mention he's totally hosting a GSP rock......... You may have to take that too !!

[albert_dao]

Another option is the WavySea unit. Those really cut out on your dead spots.

[ed99]

Thanks Deb, and thanks for taking good care of Nemo. The rest of house has turned out great too and so I am finally getting the tank started. I hope to get the sump ordered in the next week or two and then get circulation started and hopefully Nemo can come home soon. And if 6 foot of tank isn't enough for 3 clownfish I'm not sure what I will do!

And thanks all for the suggestions. I'm working on details now and will follow up on your product recommendations. I'll be posting more pictures and more questions as I make progress.

Ed