closed loop system ???

[sittnon18s]

i hear alot of people using closed loops iv looked around a bit but i cant find anything on what they look like and how u make them. can anyone help me out on the issue

[James77]

Te basic idea of one:
http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

You can have numerous inlets and outlets- around the rim or anywhere in the tank if you can drill. Pros- can be no visible pipes/cords, can make random flow with controlled valves cons- large pumps needed to run, lots of out of the tank plumbing

[sittnon18s]

thanks for the info sounds like a good idea then i could ditch my power heads

[albano]

definately worth looking into...requires planning, not as easy to change flow (like moving powerheads), I think more people are NOT using CLs in their big builds. I'm upgrading to a 450g DT w/200g sump/prop. w/out CL, will be using 3 sea swirls, 2 surge tanks, and 3 vortecs, for water movement

[03sonicstang]

I'm considering (2) CL systems around the rim of my 180 Build. I think I'm also going to use Mele's design for the external type. I would just hate to drill close to the bottom and have a leak. The whole system would have to be drained!!! It would be my luck

[das75]

loads of pictures at OM's WaterPix forum (http://www.oceansmotions.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=fbd93bf699839e79e5309dedf6c9be31)

As for drilling the bottom, if the bulkheads are correctly installed, no worries for leaks (I've got 5-1" and 3-2" bulkheads on the bottom and not a drip in 5 years).

[sittnon18s]

i cant drill my tank so i will plumb it outside. any help on that

[zachtos]

Zachtos' reef (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1097194) - I have a video tour of my display on the latest update talking about my closed loop. I will never ever go back to power heads again. My flow is insane and I love not having to clean jammed up powerheads.

Of course you can drill your tank silly... It's easy. Just don't drill the bottom.