Help. How to setup Closed Loop

[Reedman]

OK. I am finally going to get a 3/4" Seaswirl and an 1100 gph pump for my 75 gallon reef. Now I need your help to guide me through the details.

1) What else do I need(i.e. ball and gate valves, etc.)?

2) What should I or should I not do based on your personal experiences.

3) Any other helpful tidbits you can offer.

Here's the details of the tank as it stands now:
75 gallon (not drilled)
2 25W MH (10K)
2 40 NO actinic
3 powerheads for circulation
CPR backpack skimmer
4-6" DSB (about 3 months old)
2/3 volume of the tank is LR
1 yellow tang, 1 6-line wrasse, 1 blue tang
a few assorted snails and critters

Thanks in advance for the help.

-Reed

[Reedman]

^Bump^

Still need help

[Mnemic]

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...ht=closed+loop

in the Archives is an excellent thread about just this.

Look up "Closed Loop" and you can find alot more information.

I'm currently setting up a CLS, but I'm doing it in the hood of my aquarium.

[thebigblue]

reedman

im in the process of planning the same thing...

i plan on going over the tank with the drain line using black ABS pipe 1.5"...(or ABS for at least whats viewable in the tank)...then to regular PVC down to a mag1800 pump under my tank (about 4' head)...then back up to the tank probably using 1" or 3/4" PVC...

i think i will have union fittings and ball valves on both in and out of the pump...and any other unions i may need to make it easier to take apart the whole CL in needed...

theres some good info here...

http://reefcentral.com/vbulletin/sho...ht=closed+loop

this is also some good advice i got about starting the siphon...

"I would put a valve on either side of the pump and a union between the pump and valve just to make servicing the pump easier...To prime the pump use a tee in place of the elbow on the suction side...set the tee so that the through piece is vertical and the branch is horizontal. Before you start the first time just fill the pipe. Make sure you cap the pipe when done filling. I would use some type of threaded cap."

HTH

brad

[Reedman]

Thank you both for the input. I did the search for previous info and gathered alot from that before posting this thread, but I thought there might be some new info to be had.

Thanks again and any other input would be greatly appreciated.

[oregon_gorge]

"I'm currently setting up a CLS, but I'm doing it in the hood of my aquarium." quote


MN, How does that work? I have seen a pic of someones mag drives in the corner of the canopy then out to spray bars. I liked that, but how do you get it to lift? I put a 2" T on the back of mine and then 3/4 T off of that so the mags sit below the waterlevel of the tank, but they cannot pick up enough

I want a closed loop on my 240, just have to get the right way. If I could keep the pumps up high like yours, I could use the 2 900 gph pumps for circulation, no head loss this way. Otherwise, I am going to have to buy another LG or Dolphin type pump for undeneath. Less pump $ = more coral $

Thanks, Chris

[Mnemic]

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...ht=Closed+Loop

is the link to the Pic you are thinking of Chris.

I'm going to be using a Mag18 as well for my setup. I really don't know how its all going to work yet, as I've got the canopy built, and the pump is getting ordered today, but I'm basing my idea on the same concept in that thread. I've heard lots of good things about Mag Pumps, and They are also fairly power efficent, so I decided to to with them all the way.


-Paul

[thebigblue]

mnemic

i love mrok12's pics of his CL in that post...i wish i could do that, but i have to take my whole canopy off everytime i need in my tank (which is several times a week it seems) so that design is out for me....

i was thinking of rigging up a shelf or something that would hold the pump just off the back of the tank...you really get alot more head that way (insert joke here)...

i also thought that maybe there was a way i could strap the mag18 to one of the two plastic supports that run across the top of my all-glass tank...then i could take the canopy off easily and not disturb the pump...(my canopy has an open back)...

the mag18s are pretty heavy and i think theres a decent amount of vibration too...

brad

[Mnemic]

Brad, with an open back like that could you design some kind of hang on system to support the pump? I'm sure you could rig up some kind of support system to do that.

Or create a pvc rail thats held up from the back of the tank, and have it support the pvc for the exaust of the CLS.

with PVC, zip ties, and a little imagination, I'm sure anything is possible..

I'm going to try and use some kind of rubber matting to place the pump on it, and see if that will prevent too much vibration, Just in case it is an issue. Hopefully I'll be able to plumb the CLS into the canopy this weekend, and I'll be sure to post pics of it.

[thebigblue]

mnemic

yea, post em up!...

i think your right on with the rubber pad and zip tie idea...now i just gotta find some time to do it...

goodluck

brad

[mojoreef]

Reed if you want we could design something up at the meeting on Saturday. Just grab me and we will draw up a little design and a shopping list.


mike

[Reedman]

Sounds like a plan Mike. I am really hoping to make it to the meeting. I have a wedding earlier in the day, but will try.

Thanks again for coming to my rescue.

[billc]

I also have a hang on skimmer. And thought about a CLS but nixed it. At the moment I am working on putting together an overflow and sump with a beckett type skimmer.. After what I have tried and seen and read about. A large sump with a powerful skimmer and good return pump is hard to beat.. JMHO

[Reedman]

I understand and respect your opinion Bill. I too was looking at that option, but I am still a little leary of the overflow & a closed loop doesn't contribute to that concern for me. That's for your thoughts on this and good luck on your project.

[Mnemic]

I'm going with a CLS to elliminate the need for Powerheads in the tank. I don't want to have to worry about doing regular maintence on PHs inside the tank, so I opted for a External CLS.
also not having to worry about hiding the PHs and conceal its cords and whatnot is more appealing to me.

the CLS is more for circulation then anything.

I think these are the main factors when people are choosing CLS based systems. I've found there are hundreds of ways to do anything in this hobby, and the community is very avid about helping others, and that is The main reason I can't wait to get my tank setup. I'm not worried about doing it wrong with so much ready help with other aquarists.


-Paul