Closed Loop vs Tunze

[TimberTDI]

If you had to do it over again which way would you go? In my current tank I had no choice but to go with tunze. In my next tank I think I want to go with a closed loop. Maybe use an Oceanmotions. The only drawback I see with a closed loop is the energy consumption and heat from using a pump. Is it a fair trade off in keeping a clutter free tank. I've always loved the look of "natural" looking tank. No powerheads or power cords in the tank. What do you guys think?

 

[TimberTDI]

Bump.

 

[zxcvJ123]

I would choose the closed loop.
I really dont like the look of powerheads and cords in the tank.

If you pay a little more for good, energy efficient pumps (sequence..... etc..), it will be worth it compared to other power hungry inline pumps.
It will pay for itself

 

[qy7400]

No question, Tunzes again. IMO the best choice for random high GPH water movement, plus at 45 watts no external pump compete. If you're worried about the looks of a powerhead the Tunzes do have a 'rock' to hide them in. I have one of mine also connected to a UPS so power outages are not the same concern they used to be.

 

[steveo32]

I think the natural look is great too, however when it comes to a closed loop you have to think about all the restrictions on the pump and when you figure it out, to get a good flow you have to go with a big pump. Now sequence pumps are great for the low watt high out put but then you have to figure in the noise factor. I purposely bought a big pump and ran everything in the basement for that reason and also to have room to play with different setups. If you take your time though I think you can hide all your pumps in the rock work and snake the cords through. But thats just what I think.

 

[Dace]

i've always used tunze and vortech pumps and i will tell you that if your going sps, a closed loop is good. personally would just get a tank with two big drains 1 1/2 to 2" drains and get a dart or even better a barracuda pump with a high flo sump and just have a Ocean motion on the return. i have notice the with sps corals in my case it's more important to have a very high water turn over then to have incredible flo in your tank but a low turn over. i have two tanks on one system and none with the high turnover has double the polyps extension the high flo low turn over tank. with the same corals in the tank

 

[TimberTDI]

. If you take your time though I think you can hide all your pumps in the rock work and snake the cords through

I did this on my old 150. I hid all the PVC in the sandbed and had a whole bunch of 90s & 45s sticking out of the sand and behind the rockwork. The problem was that the pump eventually died out and it was too much of PITA to replace it.

Steven