Anyone still running a closed loop?

[speedstar]

Planning my next tank and trying to decide if I should go Ocean Motions and a CL with VCA nozles, or go the newer route maxspect gyre pumps. Any thoughts?

I'm kinda torn doing what I knew well a decade ago, compared to what may move water better and more efficient.

 

[Smprc]

I think it depends on the style of tank. I went CL because I have a peninsula and didn't want anything on the "open" end, but i ended up placing a gyre there so the CL isn't a factor anymore. Also, depends on type of tank, fish, reef, sps dom, mix, softies...etc.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

I don’t think there is anything wrong with a closed loop. It is just wave pumps and gyres are more easily added and customizable after install.

 

[ca1ore]

For me, it depends on the size of the tank. Smaller tanks, I would not bother with a CL; but for larger ones I think they can be useful. I do use one on my 450 - with an OM device and RFG nozzles. Is OM still in business though?

 

[Fin]

For me, it depends on the size of the tank. Smaller tanks, I would not bother with a CL; but for larger ones I think they can be useful. I do use one on my 450 - with an OM device and RFG nozzles. Is OM still in business though?

Yes they still make 4 ways and a new 6 way valve.

 

[speedstar]

This would be going on a 155g 60X30X20. The 30 width was my main reason for thinking CL, wasn't sure how well an intank solution would work without looking cluttered. This will be both long panels with the overflows on the ends.

Mixed tank but predominately SPS.

 

[mfinn]

I went with a closed loop on my 240 specifically to keep powerheads out of the tank.
Plus IMO a good external pump lasts much longer than most powerheads, with less care.
5 years later I'm still happy with my decision.

 

[speedstar]

I went with a closed loop on my 240 specifically to keep powerheads out of the tank.
Plus IMO a good external pump lasts much longer than most powerheads, with less care.
5 years later I'm still happy with my decision.

How did you screen your intake? Looking for ideas to keep from sucking up small fish or CUC.

 

[jda]

CLs are still very efficient and worth using on larger tanks. If you have a strong enough pump, eductors can really add a lot of flow to your tank.

I just used a T inside of the tank with screw-in 2" strainers that I could remove and clean when I needed to... so 2" on either side really kept the suction down going into the 2" pipe. If you screw in the strainer just hand tight, they will stay put and also be easy to remove.

 

[jogo]

I have a closed loop on a 4' x 3' tank using the 4 bottom factory drains, 2" and 1.5" inch plumbing, a Various -8 pump, and a 1.5" sea swirl. I may upgrade to a more powerful pump as the corals grow in. It's quiet, less in the tank, and moves water almost as well as my (2K GPH confirmed to the tank) Abyzz return pump set to 80% with a 12' head. The internal pumps are more efficient at moving water, cost effective, and easier to implement.. so i have read. :p I like my loop better.

 

[mfinn]

How did you screen your intake? Looking for ideas to keep from sucking up small fish or CUC.

The first one I made was as jda said. Just a slip fit ( no glue) 1-1/2" tee and 2 screw in strainers. I use black abs pvc for this.
BUT, a year or so down the road, I did end up losing a anemone that wandered too close and got sucked into it.
So after dropping the water level down to where I could unscrew the tee from the threaded bulkhead fitting, I made another strainer.
This time with a short piece of pipe coming out of the tee, that went into a short radius 90, then another short radius 90, a short piece of pipe and a cap.
I did this on both sides of the tee off the bulkhead fitting.
Then I drilled all the pipe, tee, and 90's with a few hundred holes.
And then last year when I did a complete tank re-boot, I bought a 12" x 8" plastic utensil box and cut long 1/8" lines in it and siliconed it over the pipe apparatus, just for added protection.
A friend of mine made a acrylic box like this years ago and I copied his idea using a plastic box I found at the dollar store.

 

[jogo]

Lifegard Aquatics
LOW PROFILE BULKHEAD OVERFLOW STRAINERS - LIFEGARD is what i use but i have 4 on a 2700 pump.

 

[jda]

On larger tanks, CLs become much more efficient both with wattage and cost. I am getting a 10x3x3 going and something like 6 MP60s and a few more MP40s would be needed (or the Tunze Equivalent)... at say 50w for the 60s and 30w for the 40s, I am at 400-500w when I can use a 200-300 watt Ampmaster with eductors and a OM to get better water movement that does not fizzle out a few feet from the pump. Flow pumps are great, but they are not always great for large tanks. Even a gyre on a large tank just moves water a few feet from it... unless they start to make Gyres that are a few times larger.

The only real downside to CLs is that they are just on all of the time. Sure, you can use a DC pump and slow them down at night, but I have never met a DC pump that could move water like an AmpMaster.

I will say that a SeaSwirl with a Tunze 6200 on it can really make for some nice flow. I wish that they were tough enough to hold a Mag or Laguna pump - anybody ever seen how much these can move when you use them as a powerhead? They can blow sand away from the glass on the other side of a 8' tank.

 

[speedstar]

CLs are still very efficient and worth using on larger tanks. If you have a strong enough pump, eductors can really add a lot of flow to your tank.

I just used a T inside of the tank with screw-in 2" strainers that I could remove and clean when I needed to... so 2" on either side really kept the suction down going into the 2" pipe. If you screw in the strainer just hand tight, they will stay put and also be easy to remove.

Thanks similar to my old system, i did use eductors on it, but this time think i'll go with the VCA nozzles as I like them on my little AIO and think they will add to the randomness.

 

[speedstar]

On larger tanks, CLs become much more efficient both with wattage and cost. I am getting a 10x3x3 going and something like 6 MP60s and a few more MP40s would be needed (or the Tunze Equivalent)... at say 50w for the 60s and 30w for the 40s, I am at 400-500w when I can use a 200-300 watt Ampmaster with eductors and a OM to get better water movement that does not fizzle out a few feet from the pump. Flow pumps are great, but they are not always great for large tanks. Even a gyre on a large tank just moves water a few feet from it... unless they start to make Gyres that are a few times larger.

The only real downside to CLs is that they are just on all of the time. Sure, you can use a DC pump and slow them down at night, but I have never met a DC pump that could move water like an AmpMaster.

I will say that a SeaSwirl with a Tunze 6200 on it can really make for some nice flow. I wish that they were tough enough to hold a Mag or Laguna pump - anybody ever seen how much these can move when you use them as a powerhead? They can blow sand away from the glass on the other side of a 8' tank.

I always had a 6 hour off time on my CL, is this a big no no that I missed years ago?

 

[JoshH]

For me, it depends on the size of the tank. Smaller tanks, I would not bother with a CL; but for larger ones I think they can be useful. I do use one on my 450 - with an OM device and RFG nozzles. Is OM still in business though?

I'll be running a closed loop with OM, emailed them a month ago and asked if I could have one made cause it showed out of stock on there website and they responded with a most definately. So I do think they are still in business, but have moved to more of a made to order kindof setup.

 

[jda]

I would love to know how long those nozzles last... like months, years or what? They could get my vote for product of the year if they lasted a long time. They only had eductors when I had my last CL going. :)

Time off once a day is OK. Switching them on and off many times an hour is bad for the pumps... and so is slowing them down with an electronic pot (or it used to be). People new to the hobby sometimes expect their stuff to be 100% controllable at their whim and not don't yet understand that this is both hard on equipment but also hard on the inhabitants.

 

[speedstar]

I would love to know how long those nozzles last... like months, years or what? They could get my vote for product of the year if they lasted a long time. They only had eductors when I had my last CL going. :)

Time off once a day is OK. Switching them on and off many times an hour is bad for the pumps... and so is slowing them down with an electronic pot (or it used to be). People new to the hobby sometimes expect their stuff to be 100% controllable at their whim and not don't yet understand that this is both hard on equipment but also hard on the inhabitants.

Running them I would say years, I think you would need some serious particulate in the tank to wear out the vanes. I love the no moving parts / hence no maintenance.

 

[jda]

Thank you... going to get some ordered. We have seen all kinds of these nozzles and even SCWD and they work for a while and then make you want to burn them when they stop working... I have become a bit cautious.

 

[speedstar]

Thank you... going to get some ordered. We have seen all kinds of these nozzles and even SCWD and they work for a while and then make you want to burn them when they stop working... I have become a bit cautious.

Yes I don't blame you, I was the victim of a Squid. Then bought the OM squirt.