flow for closed loop

[The Grizz]

The way my CL is done is how it was reccomeded by the owner of Oceans Motions right down to the size of pump, I believe it's all in my build thread. Spent several hrs talking to him on the phone & got some great info.

[whatcaneyedo]

I love my OM 4 Way which is fed from a Reeflo Dart on my 120gal. 2" into the pump, 1-1/2" out into the 4 Way and then four 1" returns. Its been running problem free and dead silent for several years. The back pressure/ head loss of it is no different than that of a T fitting.

I don't like the idea of having large aquarium pumps or even cheep power heads switching on and off constantly. I know Danner Mag Drives handle this poorly as I've wreaked a number of impellers this way. I've wreaked quite a few maxi jet impellers by switching them on and off too. Perhaps the higher quality pumps would handle it better but I'd do some more research.

I've always personally believed that LPS should have no less than 20x turnover. There are at least a dozen different LPS with 30x to 60x turnover around them in my system and they all appear to be doing great. Except for those that were preyed upon by my fish... There are plenty of pictures for proof in my Tank Journal.

Obviously I'm also very pro closed loop. Big ugly power heads stuck to the glass ruin a display in my opinion. Especially when they become plugged up with algae and debris. Yes the electricity consumption of a big pump sucks but I feel that its worth it.

[randy123]

I've heard that the newer OM's have small grooves built into the drums that allow a little bit of water by...they say this helps with the sticking that can result when sand or whatever gets in there. The plan for my setup puts the OM in a fairy accessible place as well, so I'm not too worried about that aspect of it too much. The OM is already ordered a few days ago...I got drum #3 for now.

I'll have to look at your thread later tonight Grizz, sounds interesting. I'm at work on nightshift, so I should have plenty of time to go through it...

While I have the tank down and drained for the install, it might not be a bad idea at all to add the plumbing for a second pump, but I don't think I will buy one for now. My wife has been understanding up to this point, but I don't want to push my luck.

[randy123]

I was think of 4 inch outlets as well, maybe for a back and forth wave effect?

[mark]

I'm another using a Dart with a 4way (single 2" inlet and 4-1" outlets). In the 6 years running had to replace the Dart once but 4way has been going non-stop.

[sphelps]

Dart and similar pumps are no different in design than most hot tub pumps, they will work perfectly fine turning on and off every so often. Would also give the motor a chance to cool. But I digress.

Not sure what your install plans are but if you can put the OM sideways and over the sump it makes maintenance a lot easier and less messy.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

The way my CL is done is how it was reccomeded by the owner of Oceans Motions right down to the size of pump, I believe it's all in my build thread. Spent several hrs talking to him on the phone & got some great info.

This one?

[The Grizz]

Yep that one

And this one that shows the intake manifold but what I didn't get a pic of is the loc-lines that are attached to the returns. I put 3 - 3/4" on each return.

[sphelps]

So what size lines are those and what size pump exactly?

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by sphelps

So what size lines are those and what size pump exactly?

Intake is a 2" line & returns are 1" so when running its a even ratio of 2 - 2. The pump is a Dolphin 3600 GPH. Loc-lines calculate out at 2 1/4" per return.