Talk to me about closed loop systems

Andy- do you have a closed loop?

right now I have my return T and then push about 1500 gph from the back of my 100 gallon to the front. I have most of the plumning
(need to buy a pump) for the closed loop system which breaks into 4 heads pushing water from the front of the tank back to towards the rock. should I do this? I already have a mp40 but the cost of doing this would be also the same as another mp40 (thinking panam pump)

 

I'd go with the MP40. Closed Loops are fine in certain situations. My new build is going to consist of 4 MP40W and a closed loop.

 

At our last club meeting (NextWave), one of the speakers discussed closed loop systems. He set up a very large tank that way & ended up adding powerheads because the corals and other things overgrew his pumps so that they stopped working and there was no efficient way to maintain them without breaking everything down. Just something to think about.

 

yes thanks lol

 

Could the closed loop been implemented wrong in this case? just asking cause what i was thinking is setting it up on the opposite end of the tank to almost create like a wave hitting the reef effect.

 

That's the first time i have heard corals out growing a closed loop system sounds like he has a flaw in system design? Both ways work and have a place in our hobby, but if your thinking about buying two MP60s why play with toys when you can have a Hydro Wizard.

The End

 

lol this didnt really break down the pros and cons. Anyone that has experience with closed loop or i also heard surge system mentioned here please advise. Thank you

 

Pros of close loop to me

Hello again

You asked for pros & cons regarding close loop systems. I have used closed loops on several large tanks one 750 gallon and this is my second 300 gallon all reefs.

1. Able to control flow out each inlet with gate valve.
2. Able to have inlets at many heights and angles even pointing down.
3. Able to install overflows at different levels big plus for large tanks.
4. Able to hide inlets in rock work and forget as nothing to break or clog.
5. Able to create different flows patterns at different parts of tank.
6. No wires or powerheads in tank.
7. Can be hooked up to OMs or not.
8. Pumps can be plumbed inline with small mag pump to run at night in lieu of larger pumps for calmer night time flow.
9. Nothing for marine life to get suck into and killed.

That's a good start with the pros, will let other members add to them and deal with the cons

 

I would think a con would be noise levels, depending on what pump you use, and location of the pump. If your doing it right and have the right pump then i think it be okay, but some pumps may let out a bit of unwanted noise.

Another would be the extra $ in electric. but seems to me man, money isnt too much of an issue with you. but could be for a guy with a budget. so i guess i could thow that in.

The risk of something leaking or breaking would be elevated, as you have more seals and pvc to deal with, but thats not too big of a con, but i could be, you never know.

I think in your case the pros out weigh the cons, and you could also donate a mp40 to my new tank haha What are the dimentions of this new project tank?

 

The new tank will be 72x36x27 and I would be using a second reeflo pump like a hammerhead something that is silent like the dart hybrid i have also.