Need help with some plans

DevilBoy · 08-03-2006, 12:08 AM

I have a 75RR with a 20g sump. I am intrested in building a closed loop for this system. I have no idea on what brand or what size pump i would need for my return pump from the sump. or what kind or what size pump for the closed loop. I will be purchasing a MR2 skimmer from MRC in the near future. I will attach a photo of a closed loop i found that i would like to almost duplicate. On this photo the PVC outputs will be going over the top of the tank. like on a HOB CPR skimmer or HOB CPR fuge. I would rather not try do drill holes in the tank. But the tank does have on corner mega overflow. and 2 holes drilled on the bottom.

here is a photo of the tank and stand without the canopy

and here is the photo of the CL i want to duplicate

any help would surely help, since i am not a good DIY person so this should be an intresting project for me to attempt. What size PVC should i use???

three90s&125sump · 08-03-2006, 12:42 AM

I would run a mag 24 and not use that SCWD. I would have 4 out puts 3/4 inch PVC and one intake 1 1/4 inch PVC.

Fly Guy · 08-03-2006, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by three90s&125sump

I would run a mag 24 and not use that SCWD. I would have 4 out puts 3/4 inch PVC and one intake 1 1/4 inch PVC.

I agree.

To be sure though.....Do you mean two holes IN the overflow??? Or two other holes???? In either case..how big are the holes?

three90s&125sump · 08-03-2006, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilBoy

I will be purchasing a MR2 skimmer from MRC in the near future. I

Wow, Nice for a 75 gallon system. As far as the return pump for your tank it will depend on your skimmer pumps (in my book) and you will want to run slightly less return than your skimmer can process.

DevilBoy · 08-03-2006, 01:28 AM

you both would run a mag24 ? i wanted to get a mag also. but some people have told me the mags have 2 problems with them.

1. when ran externally (like i will) they leak
2. they use alot of electricity

ok so my intake tube should 1 1/4 pvc? how long should i make the input?
the 4 3/4 ouputs wouldnt be overkill? i already will have 1 output from the corner mega overflow kit. what size pvc should i use for the rest of the CL ? 1" and reduce down to the 3/4 outputs?

No, the holes are not drilled in the overflow, they are drilled in the bottom of the tank. as for the sizes of them i have no idea, since they both have bulkheads attached them.

Andy from MRC has been helping me to decide on a skimmer for the system. I was considering going with the MR1 and Andy told me the skimmer would do great for the 75, but if decide to upgrade tank size in the future i would probably need a bigger skimmer. So i looked into the MR2 and started talking to Andy again and told him i would have a problem running the MR2 with the inside height of my stand only 24 1/2". Andy told me he can mod the height down on the MR2 to about 22 1/2" minus the quick disconnect, so i would not be able to have this feature on the skimmer. Pump for the MR2 Andy suggested to me the mag 18 or the gen x PCX 40 would be fine. so one of them pumps i will use for my skimmer. And knowing that what size pump for the sump return would work

three90s&125sump · 08-03-2006, 03:10 AM

Yes, a mag 24 with ball valves on each of your out puts. 4 out puts.. your corals (and you) will love it. I have mag 18's on mine and I wish I would have gone with 24's.

None of mine leak, I have been using mag drives for 7 years.

They are not the cheapest to run but they are compact and easy to work with.

I think the biggest problem is noise and I have 3 mag 18s under my tank and they are not that loud at all. My over flows are louder and they are quiet.

I would use a 1 1/4 in pipe off the pump to a T with 2-1 1/4 in T's to 4-3/4in out puts.

As far as the lenth of the intake I would make it the entire lenth of your tank to reduce localized suction. Put it about mid way down so you can access it but still have it out of sight.

If you run a mag 18 on your skimmer I would run a mag 18 for your return. You can have 4 return out puts as well. You will have a very versitile flow pattern.

Are you going BB or sand?

DevilBoy · 08-03-2006, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by three90s&125sump

1. I would use a 1 1/4 in pipe off the pump to a T with 2-1 1/4 in T's to 4-3/4in out puts.

2. As far as the length of the intake I would make it the entire lenth of your tank to reduce localized suction. Put it about mid way down so you can access it but still have it out of sight.

3. Are you going BB or sand?

1. I really dont think i understand what you are trying to explain here? Whenever you get sometime would you be able to make a drawing of what you mean? i understand the 1 1/4 off off the pump to a T. You confuse me with the rest.

2. You mean the length , or height of the tank? If you are referring to length how in the heck would i make it 48" long? and wouldnt the be a problem plumbing it that way?

3. I will be using Oolitic sand as my sandbed. This is why i must watch my flow rates as i do not want any sandstorms. So for being such a pain.

Do you know if they make pvc in black? Since i painted the back of my tank black, and the white pvc will clash to much for my liking.

aproximately how much more electricity do mags take up? if they take up alot then i dont know if i want to run 3 of them

DevilBoy · 08-03-2006, 03:38 AM

And then when this project is over and completed you can help me with a DIY on my canopy with a retro fit kit....

three90s&125sump · 08-03-2006, 04:10 AM

Not me, I have only done one retro and it was a pre wired Ice cap 660 VHO. I wish I could help with that.

click here and read post number 46

Just make the intake as long as possible

I recommend using aragonite special grade sea floor sand. It is what I use. I love it and it is extremly easy to keep clean.

As far as the electricity goes: I have 3150 watts of lights (on timers), 1 mag 36 pump, 3 mag 18 pumps, 3 sedra 9000 pumps (skimmer) and 2 fans that run all the time (not to mention my central air) and my electricity bill has only risen about $100 per month. I think electricity is moot unless you are... Hmmm, like me.

Alot of people "paint" thier PVC with purple PVC primer. Either way it will be covered in coraline before too long.

DevilBoy · 08-03-2006, 03:33 PM

i have been doing some reading and i just probably ran into a situation here, or maybe i didnt. My Mega overflow can only support 600gph? so would i still be able to use a mag 18 as a return ?

Fly Guy · 08-03-2006, 04:34 PM

no you cant. you could get away with a mag 12 IF you were T'ing off of it and running a canister filter and a chiller off the pump as well. You need would need a way bigger overflow otherwise......recircing the water in the skimmer is not a big deal and IMO a mag 18 is WAY too big of a return pump for a 20 gallon sump. Im willing to bet that 3-90's didnt catch the 20 gallon sump part. You would have to do some SERIOUSLY creative water routing in the sump to not have massive air bubbles in your display torquing that much water through a 20 gallon sump. I say either get a bigger sump or go with a mag 5 or 7 for the return pump . Recircing the water through your skimmer isnt altogether a bad thing. It will definitely process all of the water that way.

Another idea is to get a mag 9.5 or 12 and run a chiller and canister filter(for carbon and or phosban) off of it so you dont have to have other smaller pumps to do so.

I for a long time ran a mag 12 with a overflow that could do 1200 gph on a 80 gallon system with a MR-2. That mag 12 also ran a chiller taking 300 gph or so off of the return flow.

i need to dig for them but i can find you some pics of the set up....might help a little......

three90s&125sump · 08-03-2006, 06:56 PM

My mega flows are rated at 1300GPH. I should have caught the small sump with it being in the cabinate for a 75 gallon tank. I would run a mag 9.5. Just put a ball valve on the return line so you can control the head.

I would also concider getting a 30 long tank for your sump. It will give you 12 more inches to work with on your baffles.

Geoff · 08-03-2006, 09:14 PM

there you go ruining a perfectly good tank by putting sand in it.

i would have suggested getting a Velocity T3 for the closed loop and putting a couple of eductors on the outputs. no problems with flow then. you would be getting close to 2500 gph out of a 1000gph pump. yeeehaaawww.

G~

three90s&125sump · 08-03-2006, 09:25 PM

Techy Gee-Off.

He is right though.

DevilBoy · 08-04-2006, 01:41 AM

oh boy now yall have confused the heck outta me. I bought the system used and a return pump was in the purchase of the tank,stand, and canopy. The return pump i never have heard of so i would like to change it. Its a CustomSea Life. He told me he thinks it was a 700gph pump.

So now if i go with the MR2 skimmer the mag 18 pump would be to big even for the skimmer?

Dont the velocity pumps give off alot of heat?

There already is a ball valve on the return line with the spa flex hose. i think it will show it in the picture i posted.

Geoff, why would i ruin it by putting sand in it?