Need help with CL system.

[PotysGSXR]

Hi everyone.

I'm setting up a new tank. 26x15x14. The volume is only 22g and I'm setting up my first CL system but I need some advice on the pump.

The water will go through the overflow, into the pump, into a SCWD, and finally get split into 4 returns before heading back into the tank.

I've used an Ehiem1262 before and I love it because it's so quiet and doesn't get hot, but i think a 900gph pump might not be enough flow especially if it's going through a SCWD.

For all you Mag users out there:

1. How loud does a Mag12 get?
2. If run externally, does it add a lot of heat to your tank? (My Mag5 when running in the sump of my 35g tank bumped up the temp by 10 degrees!)

I was also thinking about a Quiet One 5000 but people are telling me that it's quite loud if running externally.

Can someone please point me out in the right direction? I'd like a pump that can push about 1200gph because I'll be doing mixed corals and need the push for SPS.

If all fails, then I may just go with the Ehiem and not install a SCWD.

Thanks everyone!

[McBeck]

I'm not sure why you want the SCWD w/ the CL? I think it might work better without the SCWD, but maybe I'm missing something in your setup.

[PotysGSXR]

Well, the reason I wanted to go SCWD is because my system is going to be all natural. No sump/fuge. I wanted something that would alternate the flow abit.

[McBeck]

Oops, sorry, I was envisioning a perimeter loop. :)

[Randall_James]

I have a Q1 6000 and it is in fact very quiet. (1100Gph)

Your idea of running 1100Gph thru the overflow will not work. Most max out at 600-800gph so nix that idea. I have never used a SCWD (I have Tunze) but hear they do work pretty nice.

You will need to plumb your CL seperate of the overflow at any rate and at 1100 gph you will have 2 decent flowing 3/4" outlets or 3 sort of weak ones.

As the tank dimensions are sort of small, the 3 might just work out for you. If nothing else you can reduce them to get velocity up if need be. Just not sure how that will jive with the 2 outets of the SCWD is all

Mag12 is not very loud either and the heat it puts in the tank is minimal when mounted externally.

I am not sure you will get 4 returns to work correctly at only 1100Gph but where there is a will, there is a way :)

[PotysGSXR]

Hmm.. ok. Well I guess what I had in mind was this.

if a 1200gph pump goes through a SCWD and loses about 40% flow, then its now pumping at about 750gph? Since each outlet is going to be divided into to returns for a combi of 4 returns, after all the 90degree elbows, I was hoping for about 250gph per return, which is about 12x turn over. Doesnt that sound about right?

[Randall_James]

I thought I saw the efficiency up around 90% after 750Gph?

250 Gph per outlet is really low unless you have small outlets, you are better off with a wider flow than a narrow high velocity flow.

You can add the outlets but make sure you can block them off if the flow is not up to your liking. I have one pair of 3/4" nozzles running at 400Gph each and they are just barely cutting it.

Turnover for an SPS tank is more 30X to 50X so you would want at least 650Gph. I think this puts you in a good range..

The only short coming I see is running on a single pump. I do not like all my eggs in one basket so to speak.

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html is a nice setup and then you could add an additional amount of flow as a powerhead or some other way so that you do not have a catastrophic event if the one pump quits while you are at work or something..

edit found it
Flow into SCWD SCWD Output Efficiency Switching Duration
150 gph 90 gph 60% 22 seconds
180 gph 120 gph 65% 16 seconds
240 gph 180 gph 75% 12 seconds
270 gph 210 gph 80% 10 seconds
330 gph 240 gph 80% 9 seconds
400 gph 360 gph 90% 7 seconds
600 gph 540 gph 90% 5 seconds
720 gph 660 gph 90% 4 seconds

[PotysGSXR]

hmmm.. 2 pumps.. thats a great idea. i might just give that a go.