closed loop or Tunze

[fiji2000]

Need advice on circulation system. I have a 240 gallon reef tanks that is 8 feet long. The system has been set up for about 6 months. I’m ready to install closed loop system. I have 4 holes (1 inch plumbing) drilled in the rear tank, I originally thought that I would use an oceans motions 4 way system. But I have a few questions. Can I run the pump inlet over the top, that is can I feed the pump with 2 inch PVC over the back of the tank? I know that priming may be a problem. Looking at Sequence Pumps, any recommendations. Or I could abandon this idea and go with a Tunze system, but I don’t know anything about them. Any advice would be appreciated.

Russell
Fiji2000

[RobertG]

I am a Tunze fan all the way. They rock. Less power consumption, no heat transfer. Better widestream flow.

HTH

[::pete::]

You could use one of the holes for the pumps inlet and bring one of the returns up and over.

[ansonluna]

i have a 125gal, w/a closed loop Dolphine 3000 with five outlets. I primed mine once and have never had a problem with it starting up again. even when i empty the tank half way. i will draw a pic and show you how i have mine set up.

[don-n-sa]

I am no expert in this but if you have the holes for a closed loop drilled already then you might as well use them...one closed loop pump is a whole lot cheaper then a couple of tunzes and a multi-controller.

[Polkster13]

Why not both? ;)

You can't have too much flow if you are keeping sps corals.

[::pete::]

Closed loop with eductors (http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings.categories/ssid/460) they might not be controlable, but with the 4 way you will get random wide GOOD flow like a Tunze.

[GaryP]

I know that Aquatic Whse built a closed loop on their reef tank with no holes drilled at all. They had the pump sitting on the center brace with a small length of pvc at the top acting as the pump suction. The discharges were similarly piped over the top of the tank.

[pickle311]

if you do go with a Sequence pump, I would use 2 of the holes that you already have and tee them to 1 1/2". For a tank the size of yours, I would deffinately use eductors. I set my eductors up with threaded fittings so I can turn them in any direction I want.

[brewercm]

Closed loop with eductors they might not be controlable, but with the 4 way you will get random wide GOOD flow like a Tunze.

That makes me wonder if I can use these eductors with my 3/4 inch sea swirls on the new tank I'm setting up. Anyone see any problems with this?

[::pete::]

TexasTodd has them on his sea swirls.

[fiji2000]

Thanks everyone, I still need to know if yall think I can run the pump inlet over the top with 1 1/2 -2 inch pipe.
Thanks again

Russell
fiji2000

[JesterGrin_1]

Yes you can run it over the top.
But if you do so please remember that the pump will not pull water to it. You will have to prime the line.

[::pete::]

Thats why I suggested using one of the holes ... its always under water :skeezy

[fiji2000]

Oops,
Found these photos on the ocenasmotions web site. The last time I looked they werent there. Ok what pump should I consider? Looking at Sequence

Russell

[::pete::]

Paul at oceansmotions is SO helpful its not even funny!! He spent hours on the phone with me as I dremmled my drum ... amazing and on a Sunday!! They have a forum and you can ask there and get replies from people that have either done it or/and Paul himself.

I have a super squirt and the dart is too much, after the fact I was told I should have purchased a 4way for that size pump ... full open.

A few mods and it works fine .. not perfect because of the pressure but...

[Tim Marvin]

All that plumbing looks horrible! Do the Tunzes.

[TexasTodd]

TexasTodd has them on his sea swirls. ;) Works great and is NOW indorsed by Ed at SeaSwirl as "o.k." Just watch your max volume GPH for the SeaSwirl.

Another opinion------Lots of money and a large tank=Tunzes but only because of lower heat transfer.

Small tank and less money=closed loop.

The eductors are pretty big. You can cut the bell off taking about 2.5" off and they pump the same amount (5-7x pumped line flow) but seem to have their current disperse a little faster---which to me is good. I've been running one "cut" and one factory stock and will soon be getting the Dremel out again.

Todd

[brewercm]

Thanks for the info Todd.

I doubt that I'll need them due to the size of the tank (100 gal)acutally. I'm already running two returns out of my boxes that should be around 300 GPH each. Then I'm going with the closed loop on my two seaswirls just inside the overflows and those should be between 600 and 800 each.

[::pete::]

Or penductors (http://www.kthsales.com/website/Misc/hello_salt_water_enthusiasts.htm) as they are shorter.

[fiji2000]

Ok,
Looks like I'm going for it. Oceans motions 4-way with a Barracuda. Any recommendations on what drum to order?

Thanks again for your help.
Russell
fiji2000