Closed Loop Or PH's

kdblove_99 · #1 01/08/2008, 04:12 AM

Closed Loop Or Ph's?
Well with income tax money i plan on treating myself to a 60 cube it will be a custom job

Also was debating wheather to do the overflow internal or external?

Wasnt sure if i wanted to do a closed loop or just continue to use powerheads.

I know one Pro for Ph's is energy effiecient

I know one pro for Closed loop would be no more of my shrimp will get mangled.

i would more than likely use a Sequence pump. Not sure which one though. It would be in the garage anyways. So not worried about noise or leaks, etc. Would just want to get one that would be appropriate size for tank

BiscayneA1A · #2 01/08/2008, 09:33 AM

The beauty of the closed loop is that you won't see all the units and power cords. I think in a smaller tank that would be a distraction. Plus, with a CL you can run multiple outlets/jets with only one pump. I'm ordering a Sequence Reeflo Snapper for my CL in my 100g. I think that would be more than enough for your 60g. Or if you wanted to save some $$ you could go with an Ocean Runner 6500....about $80 less.

dougchambers · #3 01/08/2008, 11:11 AM

I'm a huge fan of closed loops and Sequence pumps. We are rebuilding our 4200SEQ12 for our CL right now. As for overflows, we really like our off-the-back overflow. It leaves a lot more space in the tank for aquascaping and IMHO, just plain looks better.

In our old system, we had power heads stashed behind rocks and they were a pain to clean and rebuild. I also hated all the cords running into the tank.

For reference, this is pretty close to what we did for our closed loop and off-the back overflow.

MattG · #4 01/08/2008, 11:17 AM

IMO closed loops are a huge pain in the butt. In a smaller tank though it's worth it to keep the equipment out of sight. On a 60 gallon cube i would go with a closed loop.

dougchambers · #5 01/08/2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattG
IMO closed loops are a huge pain in the butt. In a smaller tank though it's worth it to keep the equipment out of sight. On a 60 gallon cube i would go with a closed loop.

Matt,

Just currious why you think Closed Loops are a pain? If setup properly (no HOB overflow, etc) we've found ours to be extremely successful.

-Doug

MattG · #6 01/08/2008, 12:49 PM

Just the plumbing involved and maintenance of the pumps. Even with tons of unions and valves i still get water everywhere. If you have a fish room the water mess becomes much less of a hassle.

Also, electricity on a large closed loop can get expensive compared to stream style pumps.

steve the plumb · #7 01/08/2008, 01:01 PM

I have a cl on my 300 (dart pump with 8 way) and I like it but I do have some 1/4" holes drilled into the intake pipe and I have had a fish get stuck there.I do have a screen on the top of it.I recently went and placed egg crate all around the intake pipe and yet my fox face got stuck(twice).I like the fact that you don't have wires and pump everywhere.It does make it more clean.I do however dread having to fix or clean the pump in the future.It would be a pain because I have an OM 8 way on it.I don't know how often the pump needs to be cleaned.I do find that for my size tank the dart isn't enough flow.I also have some of my returns split.I have the drum with 2 holes.I may decide to switch that out later.I just added a Tunze wave box and that has helped with flow.I think the dart on a 60 cube would do the job fine.I would go with 4 way(split the returns) plus a decent return pump.You would have crazy flow.

sjm817 · #8 01/08/2008, 01:15 PM

CL may be cleaner looking in the tank, but not the outside. I've seen some setups with an octopus of plumbing in the back of the tank that is visible, unsightly, and hard to service. This would be a nice setup for an in wall where the rear of the tank is not visible, and is also accessible. A stream type pump typically has a larger intake grill than a CL, which may have stronger suction to cause a tank inhabitant to get stuck to it.

As far as noise goes, both can be noisy, or not depending on your choice of equipment. CL will use more power. Powerheads are more easily repositioned if you need to change flow patterns.

dougchambers · #9 01/08/2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm817
CL may be cleaner looking in the tank, but not the outside. I've seen some setups with an octopus of plumbing in the back of the tank that is visible, unsightly, and hard to service. This would be a nice setup for an in wall where the rear of the tank is not visible, and is also accessible.

Ahh... The beauty of in-walls with dedicated support rooms.

kdblove_99 · #10 01/08/2008, 04:25 PM

Thanks guys and great set up Doug!

I think I'm leaning just to keep the Ph's. The main thing for me not liking the PH'S are like i said before i lose shrimp in them and i want to keep several, Like Cleaner and fire. I have two K3's a K1 and Maximod 400. They are all kinda open all around i wonder if the Seios would not suck in things as bad?

maybe like 2 1100's or 2 1500's?

Opinions?