closed loop w/ heater chamber (pico size)

dhoffroad · 01-15-2005, 02:05 PM

ok so this is what I did, to solve a prob of getting flow and a heater into a pico tank, even though this is for a pico it would work for larger systems also. the pump being used is a MJ 400 (106 gph) smallest they (MJ) make. the plumbing going in and out of the tank are made out of 1/2" CPVC. the heater chamber is made out of 2" PVC with threaded caps ( and female fittings ) I drilled and taped two 1/2 " NPT ports input ( higher ) and output (lower) used hose barb fittings , hose (3/4" in, and 1/2" out ), and hose clamps to connect the MJ to the system. to install the heater into the 2" PVC chamber I drilled a hole just larg enough for the cord of the heater to go though into the top cap ( I cut off the cord end and re spliced the wires once routed thru the hole in the top cap) I tightened the bott cap totaly tight and the top cap left loose till ready to run so I could fill the chamber with water so it would prime the pump. oh yea almost forgot I also put a ball valve after the MJ so I could turn down the flow so meet my needs, and I also made a "safty" container out of plexy that the whole system sits in just in case the MJ develops a leak. well hope this helps someone I had'nt seen anyone do this before and thought is was a good idea to share. ENJOY

dhoffroad · 01-15-2005, 02:08 PM

oldred67ford · 01-15-2005, 05:12 PM

wow thats a good idea what r u planing to keep in there and what is the tottal water volume?

dhoffroad · 01-15-2005, 11:29 PM

jsut what ever I can keep got 18w pc going over it and the tank holds 1 gal empty (no LR or sand )

Geoff · 01-16-2005, 12:30 PM

very nice!!

FYI- aquaticeco.com sells cord grips that will give a good watertight seal around power cords that have to go into a sealed chamber. sillycone does not stick well to PVC.

G~

dhoffroad · 01-16-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff

very nice!!

FYI- aquaticeco.com sells cord grips that will give a good watertight seal around power cords that have to go into a sealed chamber. sillycone does not stick well to PVC.

G~

thanks for the info on the fitting if it starts to leak I will get one. heck maby I should just order one and have it on hand

dhoffroad · 01-16-2005, 03:35 PM

a little something I did'nt mention if you are going to do this and have it set up like I did make sure the top port (inlet) is below the water line of the tank and the chamber is just above the water line of the tank that way you can fill the tank and fill the chamber (the water level will equalize between the two), then put the top cap on the chamber and it will start right up.

cytranic · 01-16-2005, 09:28 PM

Can someone explain to me what the purpose of a closed loop is? I'm assuming it has to do with the water current or a replacement for power heads in the tank... Is this correct?

dhoffroad · 01-16-2005, 10:09 PM

you are correct it is for directing (or making) water current. mainly I think that people (me included, have it on my 10 gal with a SCWD) are doing it to get those ugly power heads out of the tank . I did this set up for a 1 gal pico tank and in a 1 gal tank there is no room for anything but a few corals so a power head and heater were definatly out of the question.