last minute critique before tank is sent to glass shop

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:00 PM

hello im about to send my 25 gallon all glass tank off to the glass store tommorow morning to have closed loop and return holes drilled as well as removing part of the lip for the external overflow box. here are my specs:

closed loop: mag 12 powering a OM Squirt with 8 outlets and 2 intakes.
Intakes will be two 1inch holes which will be plumbed together with a single drain to the pump intake

there will be 3/4" outlets, 4 on the back,one on each side and two on the bottom near the front pane.

also the overflow will be cut 8inches long and a 1/4 inch below the black trim. the overflow will fill a 8x4x4 inch box with a single one inch drain. will i have troubles controlling the water height at a reasonable level?

Will there be any head loss on the pump for the closed loop?

please voice your opinions before i drill and possibly ruin the tank, thank you!

shag26272 · 05/27/2008, 08:08 PM

get a different pump , like a panworld

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:11 PM

will the mag drive burn up?

shag26272 · 05/27/2008, 08:16 PM

it will heat up your tank, thats for sure its not very efficient. You shouldnt have any head loss from a closed loop only a little restriction from your plumbing and such

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...H~vendor~.html

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:18 PM

alright, i will switch pumps out. will the 3/4 inch outlets be to large for the closed loop?

shag26272 · 05/27/2008, 08:20 PM

im not sure how it would act with so many outlets, hopefully someone else can answer or post on the OM forum or call them

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:27 PM

anyone have a similar closed loop setup?

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:47 PM

i will post a diagram shortly

humbugy · 05/27/2008, 08:49 PM

seems like your going to turn this tank into swiss chease?
and I'm sure you want to run a closed loop for the look, but a mag12 is not the greatest choice for that.
a sequnce snapper with a valve, twice the flow, same wattage.
I would highly suggest small propeller pumps in place off.
would save on drilling, bulkheads, plumbing, heat, electricity, etc.
my 2 cents
I used to have external magdrives, but after the first time off taking em apart for cleaning, I could never stop the water from dripping.
//

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:50 PM

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:51 PM

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:55 PM

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 08:58 PM

well, the problem is that i want a clean looking, full blown sps tank, but with living on the third floor of my apartment building, a nice 90 gall. is kinda out of the question. i would like to have the closed loop to help declutter the tank for more coral and also take avantage of a switching device and probably a small surge device

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 09:26 PM

has anyone had expereince with closed loops on a tank of this size?

smcdonn · 05/27/2008, 09:32 PM

I put a velocity T2 on a SQWD on my 20gal and I love it although I had to add a chiller. The only reason I used a velocity is because they are dead silent, and this tank sits about 2 ft from my bed so noise was a concern. Other than that though I don't have any experience with the system your wanting to do. PM me if you want to know more as I will probably loose this thread as I don't get on here much.

Cheers

shag26272 · 05/27/2008, 09:41 PM

have you considered a vortech? It would make some pretty nice wave action in a 20 gallon and you wouldnt have to drill it or plumb tons of pipe together.

fishnut321 · 05/27/2008, 09:51 PM

they are a bit pricy, i dont really know much about them

shag26272 · 05/27/2008, 09:53 PM

well it comes with everything you need, you just put it on the tank and plug it in, you couldnt have to do all of that plumbing or anything , get your tank drilled, or buy a pump. You will save alot on electricity and no heat will be transferred to your tank. Check it out.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rLPmea2II-A

Esquare · 05/28/2008, 05:06 AM

That's a whole lot of holes fishnut. I would question whether or not they would affect the structural integrity of such a small tank. Take my comment with a grain of salt as I have no idea if it is an issue or not.

coralfragger101 · 05/28/2008, 05:35 AM

All that work for a 20 gal tank? That's absurd.

Someone mentioned using a Snapper. On a 20 gal tank? That's absurd.

With an 8" overflow, about the max you are going to put through there is 500 gph. Look for a pump accordingly.

This is exaggerated but you are going to spend $1000 to keep $50 worth of corals.

fewells · 05/28/2008, 05:59 AM

Nothing is absurd. He said it is going to be a full blown sps tank. We are not worrying about an overflow as we ar talking about the closed loop. A snapper may be alittle overkill but there are great pumps in the 1500 gph range and that would give him great turn over.

Just dont use a mag external. If you choose to use a snapper they are great pumps and you can valve them down and save electricity.

Esquare · 05/28/2008, 06:02 AM

Oh, I don't know if nothing is absurd. I have certain skills when it comes to being absurd.

coralfragger101 · 05/28/2008, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fewells
Nothing is absurd. He said it is going to be a full blown sps tank. We are not worrying about an overflow as we ar talking about the closed loop. A snapper may be alittle overkill but there are great pumps in the 1500 gph range and that would give him great turn over.

Just dont use a mag external. If you choose to use a snapper they are great pumps and you can valve them down and save electricity.

You are correct. I was "thinking" overflow when I made my comment about the snapper.

I still think it's crazy to do this entire set up but I've done some crazy things as well in this hobby. Not trying to rub anyone the wrong way.

What I would seriously be concerned about is a point that Esquare brought up and that being the integrity of the tank with so many holes drilled in it. A 20 gal tank isn't going to have thick glass to begin with. Making the back look like swiss cheese and then add the weight of the plumbing coming off that back side and I think there is a real possibility that the back of the tank will simply blow out at some point. I'm no engineer either so I don't know this for sure but it sure looks scary.

hebygb · 05/28/2008, 08:26 AM

My first thought was over engineered for the size of tank. And I also question the integrity of the tank after drilling som many holes, not to mention removing the top trim on such, likely, thin glass.

This said I will offer this... A couple of Koralias, (nanos or #1s) and you will have plenty of flow for SPS. Chances are, you will upgrade tanks, long before the corals need the room.

I am the first person to admit that in this hobby, half the fun is going over the top in builds, and turning these glass boxes into a laboratory of pipes, pumps, and peripherals... but sometimes simplicity is best.

Horace · 05/28/2008, 09:30 AM

I dont think 1500gph is obsurd for a 25g at all actually. I would try to split that into atleast 3 different nozzles, but not much more. You want atleast 500gph coming out of each nozzle or it will be like a trickle and wont give you the real flow your looking for.

I would be worried about the external overflow, so you better make sure that glass is reinforced.

05/27/2008, 08:08 PM	#2
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	get a different pump , like a panworld __________________ .

05/27/2008, 08:16 PM	#4
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	it will heat up your tank, thats for sure its not very efficient. You shouldnt have any head loss from a closed loop only a little restriction from your plumbing and such http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...H~vendor~.html __________________ .

05/27/2008, 08:20 PM	#6
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	im not sure how it would act with so many outlets, hopefully someone else can answer or post on the OM forum or call them __________________ .

05/27/2008, 09:32 PM	#15
smcdonn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 925	I put a velocity T2 on a SQWD on my 20gal and I love it although I had to add a chiller. The only reason I used a velocity is because they are dead silent, and this tank sits about 2 ft from my bed so noise was a concern. Other than that though I don't have any experience with the system your wanting to do. PM me if you want to know more as I will probably loose this thread as I don't get on here much. Cheers __________________ 180g IN WALL, REEF Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

05/27/2008, 09:41 PM	#16
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	have you considered a vortech? It would make some pretty nice wave action in a 20 gallon and you wouldnt have to drill it or plumb tons of pipe together. __________________ .

05/27/2008, 08:00 PM	#1
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	last minute critique before tank is sent to glass shop hello im about to send my 25 gallon all glass tank off to the glass store tommorow morning to have closed loop and return holes drilled as well as removing part of the lip for the external overflow box. here are my specs: closed loop: mag 12 powering a OM Squirt with 8 outlets and 2 intakes. Intakes will be two 1inch holes which will be plumbed together with a single drain to the pump intake there will be 3/4" outlets, 4 on the back,one on each side and two on the bottom near the front pane. also the overflow will be cut 8inches long and a 1/4 inch below the black trim. the overflow will fill a 8x4x4 inch box with a single one inch drain. will i have troubles controlling the water height at a reasonable level? Will there be any head loss on the pump for the closed loop? please voice your opinions before i drill and possibly ruin the tank, thank you!

05/27/2008, 08:11 PM	#3
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	will the mag drive burn up?

05/27/2008, 08:18 PM	#5
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	alright, i will switch pumps out. will the 3/4 inch outlets be to large for the closed loop?

05/27/2008, 08:27 PM	#7
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	anyone have a similar closed loop setup?

05/27/2008, 08:47 PM	#8
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	i will post a diagram shortly

05/27/2008, 08:49 PM	#9
humbugy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: bloomington, il Posts: 464	seems like your going to turn this tank into swiss chease? and I'm sure you want to run a closed loop for the look, but a mag12 is not the greatest choice for that. a sequnce snapper with a valve, twice the flow, same wattage. I would highly suggest small propeller pumps in place off. would save on drilling, bulkheads, plumbing, heat, electricity, etc. my 2 cents I used to have external magdrives, but after the first time off taking em apart for cleaning, I could never stop the water from dripping. //

05/27/2008, 08:50 PM	#10
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763

05/27/2008, 08:51 PM	#11
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763

05/27/2008, 08:55 PM	#12
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763

05/27/2008, 08:58 PM	#13
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	well, the problem is that i want a clean looking, full blown sps tank, but with living on the third floor of my apartment building, a nice 90 gall. is kinda out of the question. i would like to have the closed loop to help declutter the tank for more coral and also take avantage of a switching device and probably a small surge device

05/27/2008, 09:26 PM	#14
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	has anyone had expereince with closed loops on a tank of this size?

05/27/2008, 09:51 PM	#17
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	they are a bit pricy, i dont really know much about them

05/27/2008, 09:53 PM	#18
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	well it comes with everything you need, you just put it on the tank and plug it in, you couldnt have to do all of that plumbing or anything , get your tank drilled, or buy a pump. You will save alot on electricity and no heat will be transferred to your tank. Check it out. http://youtube.com/watch?v=rLPmea2II-A __________________ .

05/28/2008, 05:06 AM	#19
Esquare Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lorain, Ohio Posts: 1,954	That's a whole lot of holes fishnut. I would question whether or not they would affect the structural integrity of such a small tank. Take my comment with a grain of salt as I have no idea if it is an issue or not. __________________ Eddie Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder with Dwarf Lionfish

05/28/2008, 05:35 AM	#20
coralfragger101 Gone Postal Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 5,461	All that work for a 20 gal tank? That's absurd. Someone mentioned using a Snapper. On a 20 gal tank? That's absurd. With an 8" overflow, about the max you are going to put through there is 500 gph. Look for a pump accordingly. This is exaggerated but you are going to spend $1000 to keep $50 worth of corals. __________________ Views expressed by this person are not neccessarily the views of any other person and may never be. Apology extended to any member who takes offense to any post. Offense is not meant nor intended. Current Tank Info: NONE - Sold - Can't afford it right now!

05/28/2008, 05:59 AM	#21
fewells Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO Posts: 356	Nothing is absurd. He said it is going to be a full blown sps tank. We are not worrying about an overflow as we ar talking about the closed loop. A snapper may be alittle overkill but there are great pumps in the 1500 gph range and that would give him great turn over. Just dont use a mag external. If you choose to use a snapper they are great pumps and you can valve them down and save electricity. __________________ When you look this good you don't have to know anything. Current Tank Info: 90 reef

05/28/2008, 06:02 AM	#22
Esquare Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lorain, Ohio Posts: 1,954	Oh, I don't know if nothing is absurd. I have certain skills when it comes to being absurd. __________________ Eddie Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder with Dwarf Lionfish

05/28/2008, 08:26 AM	#24
hebygb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Elmhurst, IL Posts: 2,207	My first thought was over engineered for the size of tank. And I also question the integrity of the tank after drilling som many holes, not to mention removing the top trim on such, likely, thin glass. This said I will offer this... A couple of Koralias, (nanos or #1s) and you will have plenty of flow for SPS. Chances are, you will upgrade tanks, long before the corals need the room. I am the first person to admit that in this hobby, half the fun is going over the top in builds, and turning these glass boxes into a laboratory of pipes, pumps, and peripherals... but sometimes simplicity is best.

05/28/2008, 09:30 AM	#25
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	I dont think 1500gph is obsurd for a 25g at all actually. I would try to split that into atleast 3 different nozzles, but not much more. You want atleast 500gph coming out of each nozzle or it will be like a trickle and wont give you the real flow your looking for. I would be worried about the external overflow, so you better make sure that glass is reinforced. __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress