Multiple closed loops???

[Tonycass12]

Understood, I don't care for the look of Pumps in the Tank either. My Red Sea Tank has a weir in the back that hides all the pumps, but my New Tank that's on order doesn't have that so I'll need to use visible Pumps.

Yeah this is why im looking at so many closed loop returns around the top. I could care less that I'll have 18 RFG nozzles hanging a little below the waterline. Its worth it to have good flow over the whole length of the tank and not have anything between me and viewing the corals.

 

[bob88884]

its currently trailered up until we have a lot of our snow melt. I purchased it used, was only set up for about a year by the previous owner. He told me it was built by advanced acrylics and was a little difficult for them to get the 10' sheets of 1" acrylic. Hopefully in a couple weeks with the warmer weather were starting to see in northern michigan I can get it into the garage and start buffing the interior of the tank. Once this thing gets put of the trailer ill be starting up a build thread.

I can't say for sure, but I think I am speaking for several of us when I say, " Quit making excuses, and battle the snow, we want to get started.

 

[bob88884]

I have 3 loops on my main display. In a couple months I’m building a man cave fish cave in my garage. This will host a 800g peninsula with 4 loops. Clearly I’m a big loop fan. If you go with loops, any holes drilled below the waterline I would only recommend using Hayward bulkheads. Also, proper install is important. No grease. Glass cleaned with alcohol and left to dry and degas. I would use thread thread, the bulk head itself is reverse thread. Than has a videos on the topic. Ensure you understand the opening size. They are much bigger than a standard bulkhead. Reefers who were using loops 20y ago will advocate against loop use. But, they were using the $4 bulk heads 20-25 years ago. I’ve broken those in overflow boxes. The thickness of the EPDM gasket alone is about as thick as the flange on a conventional bulkhead. My early posts on my build thread should have pictures.

What is a closed loop? And what are the advantages?

 

[mfinn]

Ok I think were losing a little bit of info in the way its being written. The drains for the closed loops will be to each side of the overflow. 2 1.5" drains on each side for each closed loop return. See attached photo. Grates would go from the end of overflow box to the outside of the tank. The grates would just help keep the fish away but not effect water level or flow into the original overflow. Here is a picture of the overflow, the orange lines are where I would place the grates, the blue is where the closed loop drains would be plummed in. Shouldn't effect flow into the original overflow at all. The grates would be something like 1/8"x1" slots top to bottom with a little gap in between for some support but still allow plenty of flow and be removable for cleaning.

You say drains, I call it the suction side of the closed loop pump. Same thing.
Are the bulkheads going in the bottom or back wall?

Do not skimp of quality true union ball valves on each side of the pumps.
Don't skimp on unions. Make every part removeable.

Plus, not sure what size bulkhead you are going to use on the suction side make sure it's the same as the pump. I even think going a size larger. I bought a RD5 200 watt pump thinking I could get away with a 1-1/2" bulkhead on my suction side, but re-plumb all of the pipe to 2" ( the size of the RD5 suction side) NOPE. Big fail on my part.
Now I got some guy trying to rip me off on the RD5 pump I sold here.

 

[Tonycass12]

You say drains, I call it the suction side of the closed loop pump. Same thing.
Are the bulkheads going in the bottom or back wall?

Do not skimp of quality true union ball valves on each side of the pumps.
Don't skimp on unions. Make every part removeable.

Plus, not sure what size bulkhead you are going to use on the suction side make sure it's the same as the pump. I even think going a size larger. I bought a RD5 200 watt pump thinking I could get away with a 1-1/2" bulkhead on my suction side, but re-plumb all of the pipe to 2" ( the size of the RD5 suction side) NOPE. Big fail on my part.
Now I got some guy trying to rip me off on the RD5 pump I sold here.

They will go through the back wall. Pump intakes are 1.5" i was going to do 2 1.5" bulkheads for each pump just to reduce suction a little in each drain.

 

[Tonycass12]

I can't say for sure, but I think I am speaking for several of us when I say, " Quit making excuses, and battle the snow, we want to get started.

Build thread begins! But honestly I figured I'll be lucky to have it all togeather by the fall. We will see how this year goes.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/northernmichiganreef-300gallon-sps-peninsula.1151053/