PDA

View Full Version : Closed Loop pump on timer


CorbetJackson50
02/20/2009, 07:11 PM
I am thinking about running my CL pump (gen-x pcx55hp) on a timer to conserve energy. Does anyone see any reason that i shouldnt do this. I have a gen-x pcx40 as a main return pump. I was thinking about putting the CL on about the same as the lights.

tkeracer619
02/20/2009, 07:57 PM
I wouldn't want water sitting stagnant in the plumbing for 12 hours. If you want to conserve energy use energy efficient powerheads.

Vortech, Tunze, Maximods, and Koralias all use minimal wattage to provide a lot of flow.

CorbetJackson50
02/20/2009, 08:09 PM
well i am locked in with the closed loop, the pump is 170 watts just a thought. i figured tons of flow at night wasnt as important with corals being closed and fish "sleeping"

tsprice82
02/20/2009, 08:25 PM
I don't have mine on a timer, but I turn it off at night. Haven't had a problem with the water sitting for 12 hours, but that is a good point.

CorbetJackson50
02/21/2009, 07:51 PM
any other thoughts?

noahm
02/21/2009, 08:19 PM
You could always break it up with a multi on/off timer and do 4 6hr segments or something to avoid 12 hr dead time, or even just kick it on for an hour in the middle of the night.

gilweb
02/21/2009, 08:54 PM
I have kept my dart on my closed loop off from 10pm untill 10am everyday for the last 4 months. Have seen no ill effects but I never thought about the stagnant thing either. Corals and fish all are healthy and growing. No algea either.

surge19us
02/21/2009, 08:57 PM
I wouldn't want the water stagnant for more than an hour or so. Plus at night is when oxygen saturation in the tank is at its lowest. You want to keep the flow up to increase gas exchange.

gilweb
02/21/2009, 09:03 PM
Just to be clear, I keep everything else on, skimmer, return pump, fuge, calcium reactor. At no time is the tank stagnant. I run 780gph through my sump.

MeuserReef
02/21/2009, 09:08 PM
Do 1 hour on, 1 hour off. This cuts your kWh usage in half, and reduces the chance that you will get stagnant water inside of the CL. I would use a digital timer for this.

Mr. Brooks
02/21/2009, 09:10 PM
Most water pumps aren't design to turn on and off like that. Check with the manufacturer to make sure you aren't going to wear out your pump prematurely.

tkeracer619
02/21/2009, 09:42 PM
yeah, I don't mean the tank stagnant I mean the water inside the closed loop plumbing.

Also, just like surge19us said, oxygen is at its lowest (at night) it is better to have more flow.

What temp do you run the display at? Does your heater run all night? Things like this can really suck the power down more then the pump.