closed-loop system for dummies?

[cdeakle]

I generally know what a CLS is as in you drill a tank, plumb it, and use a pump for your circulation thus replacing your needs on using powerheads.

Can you guys/gals provide me with links and info breaking it all down for someone that knows nothing about plumbing and setting one up?

I have no Idea on what plumbing is needed, how big to drill the holes, what bulkheads to use. Do I use flexible hoses or pvc? How to hook the pump to it?

Basicly I need a walk through from start to finish. I hope somone out there has pics and descriptions of the process from start to finish.

I will be purchasing a new tank/stand/canopy combo from Kritter Aquatics in Cali and I'm hoping to have them pre drill the holes for me so when I get the tank I can hook up the rest.

Thanks, this forum rules!!

 

[reefland]

The plumbing is no different than plumbing anything else. Just instead of the bulkhead for the pump being on the sump it's on the display tank.

The goal of the closed loop is to bypass the sump for increased flow. The overflows can limit how much water you can process. Bigger more massive return pumps can't help ya if you max out the overflows. In addition since the source and destination body of water are the same the pump really operates at close to zero head.

As to bulkheads, I like to size them up a bit. If the pump has 1 inch fittings, then I use 1.5 inch bulkheads. This will insure the pump can get plenty of water.

As to flex hose or PVC, you can do either or both - they make flex PVC. I think flex tubing vibrates less than ridgid PVC. Then it is just getting the fittings to connect.

Dry fit everything together first to make sure you have enough elbows, etc. Then use PVC cleaner and then PVC glue on the fitings. As you slide the parts together give it a quarter twist. In about 30 seconds you should have a good connection.

It really is very simple. The hard part is drilling the tank.

 

[Modo]

Can't really link to any sites I know of. But, I will try and spell it out for you on how I have mine set up.

First off, when it comes to ordering a tank, make it very clear of the size of hole you want for whatever size bulkhead you will be using. I ran into a problem, because I stated I wanted the holes drilled for 1.5" bulkheads. Well, this meant the holes needed to be much larger. Well, when I got my tank the holes where drilled at 1.5" and now I'm stuck with 3/4" bulkheads. Wasn't really thrilled with that one, but I've worked around it.

Anyway back to topic...decide on how much flow you want and where it's going to be pointed. For example, My main return was going to be coming in from the back wall. So, I constructed my closed loop to be coming in from the front of my tank. This meant less holes in the tank glass! I've attached a pic of my setup right after I plumbed it.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphot ... thecat=500

1) Notice the white pipe lower to the right on the back wall. This is the INTAKE with strainer. It's lower so I could hide it with LR. This goes through the bulkhead to a PVC 90 and union then PVC down the back to a ball valve and tube fitting. From there 3/4" tubing is twisted to the intake on my pump with Union.

2) From the pump OUTPUT, another union (add unions so you can clean, replace the pump if need be) then to a gate valve (to control flow) then to a tube fitting. 3/4" Tube is then ran up the center of the back of the tank and connects to a SQWD for wave action. The SQWD acts as a tee and more tube is ran from each output and over to tube fittings that are attached to 1" PVC. The PVC is ran and attached to the inside of my conopy with zip ties up to the front corners of the tank, 90 down into the water and then a 45 is used to direct the current in the directions I want.

I will try and take some pics and post for you to give you a better idea of what I'm talking about. I've seen some systems where the intake was just some PVC rigged to hang on the back of the tank. It really all depends on how you want to set your tank up.

Hope that wasn't too confusing

 

[Modo]

Okay, I took some shots of my setup and posted them over on Reefcentral. Go HERE to check it out.

The green pump is my closed loop pump in the updated photo (check dates on photos that pump used to run my skimmer). Also, I have a photo of the return lines in my canopy going to the front of the tank. Then there is a photo where I highlighted the plumbing on the back of the tank.

RED = Return
GREEN = Intake.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[jims47]

Try Marc's site from DFW, here is the link http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/tank/closedloop.html

 

[Modo]

Damn! Should have thought of Marc's site. Maybe he won't notice.