Closed loop with Jebao DC pump

[Maximitsurugi]

Hi. I’m doing a 4x3x2 reef and I’m looking into using a closed loop vs wavemakers. I plan to put it all on the back wall.

Everything I’ve read is that I shouldn’t use DC pumps like the Jebao return pump I’m thinking of using. What are your thoughts? How would you set it up? How much flow in GPH pump.

My idea is to do outputs at 10, 2, 4, and 7 o clock from the center of the back wall. I can put the intake on the back wall at 6 o’clock. I’m trying to avoid the intake at the bottom in case I have sand. Can you guide me?

 

[me & my baby]

There is nothing wrong with the jeans pumps . I just swaped out my reeflo hammer head with a jebao dcp 20000 . I wish Inwoukd have done it sooner . It has plenty of flow and using less electricity. My only concern would be running it external . My pump said it could be run external but when I tested it out the front pump housing leaked a little bit .

 

[Maximitsurugi]

What’s your setup? Tank size. How many outputs, what size plumbing etc.

 

[bushdoc]

I think that close loop is not only very inefficient but also prone to lots of mishaps.
Why? I had one for 240 gal reef and it was before modern wavemakers. Intermittent leak, which I had to address often, high running costs, and you will never achieve random flow which certain corals like with close loop. With your size tank I would go for wavemakers even if initial costs might be higher. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Maximitsurugi]

I think that close loop is not only very inefficient but also prone to lots of mishaps.
Why? I had one for 240 gal reef and it was before modern wavemakers. Intermittent leak, which I had to address often, high running costs, and you will never achieve random flow which certain corals like with close loop. With your size tank I would go for wavemakers even if initial costs might be higher. Just my 2 cents.

I’m planning to use Random flow generators on the outputs. Also, I’m planning on using a single string Jebao to do all the heavy lifting. Ideas?

 

[me & my baby]

I think that close loop is not only very inefficient but also prone to lots of mishaps.
Why? I had one for 240 gal reef and it was before modern wavemakers. Intermittent leak, which I had to address often, high running costs, and you will never achieve random flow which certain corals like with close loop. With your size tank I would go for wavemakers even if initial costs might be higher. Just my 2 cents.

I have to disagree, I had a closed loop in my 300 using an ocean motion . I never had the first leak from any from the closed loop . With the right setup you can achieve plenty of random flow . But I will agree for his size tank he would come out better with some in tank power heads of some kind .

 

[me & my baby]

I think that close loop is not only very inefficient but also prone to lots of mishaps.
Why? I had one for 240 gal reef and it was before modern wavemakers. Intermittent leak, which I had to address often, high running costs, and you will never achieve random flow which certain corals like with close loop. With your size tank I would go for wavemakers even if initial costs might be higher. Just my 2 cents.

I’m planning to use Random flow generators on the outputs. Also, I’m planning on using a single string Jebao to do all the heavy lifting. Ideas?

What random flow generators are you going to use .

 

[bushdoc]

I remember I had some device changing flow through various pipes of closed loop, but when I added Vortech Powerheads, difference were striking. Literally infinity of various flow combinations, reef crest, lagoon, gyre, etc.
Additionally if you want to change configuration and adjust flow to a different part of your tank you just move powerhead. How do you do with a closed loop? Drill a new hole?
If you want to clean your pump you have to temporarily stop flow, with Powerheads you can do it one by a time and it's much easier. Failure of close loop pump creates bigger problem than failure of one of powerheads.
I think close loop makes sense in mega tanks, Coral farms, LFS etc, not in reef tank of volume below 200-250 gal.( my arbitrary size)

 

[me & my baby]

I remember I had some device changing flow through various pipes of closed loop, but when I added Vortech Powerheads, difference were striking. Literally infinity of various flow combinations, reef crest, lagoon, gyre, etc.
Additionally if you want to change configuration and adjust flow to a different part of your tank you just move powerhead. How do you do with a closed loop? Drill a new hole?
If you want to clean your pump you have to temporarily stop flow, with Powerheads you can do it one by a time and it's much easier. Failure of close loop pump creates bigger problem than failure of one of powerheads.
I think close loop makes sense in mega tanks, Coral farms, LFS etc, not in reef tank of volume below 200-250 gal.( my arbitrary size)

Well in my 300 I had 8 holes in the bottom . So I had plenty of flow options . As far as pump maintenance it took my a grand total of is them 2 mins . I turn off two ball valves undid two unions and swapped out the pump . Clean the pump I just took off line and wait till it was time to do it again . Plus always had a spare if something happened . In large tank closed loops are very useful . On smaller tank they have there pros and cons . On my 5 foot tank I am building I am using multiple controllable pumps

 

[bushdoc]

Well in my 300 I had 8 holes in the bottom . So I had plenty of flow options . As far as pump maintenance it took my a grand total of is them 2 mins . I turn off two ball valves undid two unions and swapped out the pump . Clean the pump I just took off line and wait till it was time to do it again . Plus always had a spare if something happened . In large tank closed loops are very useful . On smaller tank they have there pros and cons . On my 5 foot tank I am building I am using multiple controllable pumps

I see that you are a Close Loop Aficionado. Good for you and good for this forum, so we have an expert willing to share his opinion. Life would be boring with everything uniform and the same.

 

[me & my baby]

I never said that , I am just stating how I did mine . Also back 39 years ago when I started saltwater tanks we didn’t have many option for flow . So you came up with all different kind of ways to get your flow better .

 

[mfinn]

I'm pretty happy using closed loop's on several different tanks over the years.
My current 240 has a closed loop using a couple different Red Dragon pumps.
I'm currently in the process of installing a new RD5 eco 200 watt, that replaced a RD3 150 watt pump.
I've used Vectra L1's and L2's, and several other ac pumps on different tanks.
Being the quietest pumps I've ever used is my main reason for going dc.
On my current closed loop I have a 1-1/2" suction bulkhead, and 4 returns. Each return is split into loc-line Y's on the inside of the tank for flow in 8 directions.

 

[Maximitsurugi]

I'm pretty happy using closed loop's on several different tanks over the years.
My current 240 has a closed loop using a couple different Red Dragon pumps.
I'm currently in the process of installing a new RD5 eco 200 watt, that replaced a RD3 150 watt pump.
I've used Vectra L1's and L2's, and several other ac pumps on different tanks.
Being the quietest pumps I've ever used is my main reason for going dc.
On my current closed loop I have a 1-1/2" suction bulkhead, and 4 returns. Each return is split into loc-line Y's on the inside of the tank for flow in 8 directions.

Can we see it??

 

[mfinn]

The one in back is the RD3 150 watt.





The pvc pipe with the red line on it is the return header for the closed loop.

 

[Maximitsurugi]

The one in back is the RD3 150 watt.





The pvc pipe with the red line on it is the return header for the closed loop.

Excuse me good sir, those are red dragon pumps. They ain’t Jebaos. lol. Would you trust J’s to do the same job? Cause that’s what I’ve got available

 

[mfinn]

Excuse me good sir, those are red dragon pumps. They ain’t Jebaos. lol. Would you trust J’s to do the same job? Cause that’s what I’ve got available

I mentioned in my first response that I used several different pumps for closed loops over the years, and said I was using RD pumps now.
I remember when the jeboas first came out and a few of my friends tried them with dismal results. So I never really had much of a urge to try them on critical positions. I have tried jeboa powerheads and for me the failure rate has been pretty high. In fact 2 that I use for mixing saltwater failed me today.
I have seen alot of people use them and have good luck. I won't be.

 

[LunchboLobster]

Hijacking, has anyone successfully run the MDP Jebao pump externally without leaks?

 

[me & my baby]

I haven’t heard of anyone for long term . I hat size are you trying to run on the closed loop