Snails vs. Closed Loop

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by ZachB, Jul 8, 2009.

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  1. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    So, I've noticed that my closed loop intake is slowly becoming a snail graveyard. I have a 2" intake that's got a fairly large and long strainer on it. However, I've noticed that my snails seem to enjoy crawling onto it, and the suction is too great for them and by the time they decide it's time to get off, they're unable and die due to the suction.

    Anyone else have this problem? What did you do to solve it?
     
    ZachB, Jul 8, 2009
    ZachB, Jul 8, 2009
    #1

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  2. Geoff

    Geoff Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    could you use one of these on the intake? If the grate is still too big maybe you could put some kind of course filter media along with it,just change the filter media out every so often.
    Product Listing - PVC-Couples-Unusual

    Here is a 2" bulkhead vertical screen that says it fits a female pipe thread fitting also(scroll down the page near bottom on right).
    Product Listing - BulkheadFittingScreens

    Check the site out, you may be able to find something to help.
     
    Geoff, Jul 9, 2009
    Geoff, Jul 9, 2009
    #2
  3. Screwtape

    Screwtape Tonozukai Fairy Wrasse

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    Put a T on the input and a strainer on each side of the T, it will reduce the suction on each strainer a ton.
     
    Screwtape, Jul 9, 2009
    Screwtape, Jul 9, 2009
    #3
  4. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    I may do the T - I already have one of the large vertical strainers on there.

    Anyone else here with a closed loop have this problem?
     
    ZachB, Jul 9, 2009
    ZachB, Jul 9, 2009
    #4
  5. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    This is why when I set up tanks for guys I always employ 2 ,3 or 4 inlets around the tank to lessen the vacuum pull on just one inlet .. When I did my pool yrs ago I had 5 inlets just for that reason , There was a guy not far from use that had a pool installed and had only two inlets one on the bottom deep end and one skimmer in the sidewall a kid dove in put his foot on the inlet plate and damn near drowned .. 25,000 GPH is a strong suction pull . After that child nearly drowning I installed a flow sensor switch on my pool pump and on my next door neighbors pump also .

    What size pump are you using for the internal open loop circulation system ?
     
    Tangster, Jul 9, 2009
    Tangster, Jul 9, 2009
    #5
  6. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    Using a Reeflo Dart with a 2" intake with 2" vertical strainer.
     
    ZachB, Jul 9, 2009
    ZachB, Jul 9, 2009
    #6

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  7. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

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    I've the same pump set up with 2 - 1" intakes.
    The snails do go on the strainers, but I'm not sure if they make it off or not - I wondered that myself. I've seen my conehead astreas and a few nerite snails on the strainers.
    Also what I did to increase the flow was drill a few small holes in the end of the strainers.
     
    Bogie, Jul 9, 2009
    Bogie, Jul 9, 2009
    #7