Plumbing a Closed loop

[Koadog]

I am getting back into the hobby. I have been out of it for about three years now and got bit by the bug ,again. Anyhow, I am planning a 180 gallon reef tank and want to include a closed circulation loop. My question is how to plumb it? Should I have the back drilled for intakes, intakes/returns etc. or is there a better way? What do you all recommend, use etc.? Also what is the rule of thumb now a days for circulation, 10x-20x?

Thanks!

 

[LFS42]

Welcome back.
IMO, I would have the intake hole drilled towards the bottom of the tank.
and have the returns run over the top.
I would run closer to the 20x/hour circulation. Pumps always slow down over time.

 

[Bio]

Koadog,

I had the same exact issue... getting back into the hobby and tried to do things right... this is what I have got going now....

closed loop measurements:

three drains connected by a 1 inch Cross PVC Socket Fitting

forth hole goes to the pump inlet:

the return is split by a Y , which feeds 2 3/4 sea swirls.

All plumbing uses flex line for ease of use and installation>

hope that helps

 

[King Jason]

Just finished my closed loop on my 190...check out my site (link in signature)

 

[Koadog]

Is there any concern for putting bulkheads in the main tank? How do you ensure that the seals never go bad and leak? Is there somehow to make them permanent so that they never leak?

 

[King Jason]

I seal mine with Silicon.

 

[Koadog]

KingJason,

I didn't see any bulkheads on the back of your tank. Where did you install the bulkheads with silicone? I was thinking of drilling the back of the tank for outlets and returning them to two sea swirls. I just don't want to create problems down the road and find my tank emptied on the flow!

Scott

 

[King Jason]

I have 1" two holes drilled inside two overflow boxes on each side of the tank. I also have a 1.5" holed drilled into my sump connected to an AmpMaster 2100, and another 1" hole drilled in the sump for doing easy water changes (all are sealed with silicon for protection).

When I filled the tank up with fresh water to test my plumbing the 1.5" bulkhead in the sump and the 1" bulkhead in the sump leaked! I then put silicon around the bulkhead to seal it. Once I put silicon around the bulkhead my leaks went away.

 

[Koadog]

What brand of aquarium do you have? All-Glass? If so, how well is the overflow handling the high turnover? I was thinking that if you drilled the back about 1/3 off the bottom and used it as either an intake or return, you would get good turnover throughout the tank and also decrease the flow throught the overflows. By the way, I am planning to use an All Glass Aquarium.

 

[King Jason]

My tank is made by Visio (local tank maker). I can't drill my overflows because they are plated with glass! I tried to drill it and couldn't figure out why my bit was so dull . Because behind the black Plexiglas was glass!!! I was lucky I didn't crack the glass.

The overflows handle the high flow rate really well. During my testing the overflows kept up with flying colors. The return flow is an AmpMaster 2100 so I’m pushing about 1500+ gph (figure loss from 2 elbows and about 4ft head).