closed loop without holes, bulkheads or drilling

[Ron Popeil]

ok this is what i have:
50 gallon tank. pressed next to it is a 29 gallon refugium. i have 4 powerheads right now running current and circulation.

this is what i want:
more circulation. less powerheads. a closed loop or comparable system.

i wont drill. and im hesitant about overflows. i was thinking an external pump sucks water from a J shaped syphon thing inside my tank instead of an overflow down into it. and then a return with two sea swirls, or a scwd or just pvc inlets inside my tank giving a large amount of flow, and irregular random flow to all points in my tank.

if an overflow is a must...would i just drain that into an external pump, and then design some form of return with pvc? is it that simple?

if anyone has any ideas for a tank and a closed loop without drilling, id severely appreciate the guidance if someone can help walk me through this and/or just give me ideas/point me in the right direction.


thank you very very much

[Trackz]

You are just talking about a closed loop. Take a look at this page...I think it is EXACTLY what you are talking about:

http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/tank/closedloop.html

[Ron Popeil]

so what would be a good pump size for a 50 gallon tank? would a mag drive pump be appropriate? or is there a better suited pump for this? would i be able to make more outlets into the tank instead of two?

for my tank would it be recommended that i use a scwd or sea swirls?

thanks!

[Ron Popeil]

any more ideas?

[North Bay 101]

I saw that someone posted this about a year and a half ago and I liked it so much that I saved the pictures. It looks inexpensive and very do able. I do not remember who came up with the idea but it wasn't me. To prime the unit, the whole thing needs to be put under the water and the pipes plugged, raise and put on brackets.

http://www.qrp.net/fish/cl1.jpg

http://www.qrp.net/fish/cl2.jpg

[Ron Popeil]

thats beautiful. im thinking thats the route ill go...but what size mag drive to push enough circulation for sps corals and high current loving anemones?

[bler]

Originally posted by North Bay 101
I saw that someone posted this about a year and a half ago and I liked it so much that I saved the pictures. It looks inexpensive and very do able. I do not remember who came up with the idea but it wasn't me. To prime the unit, the whole thing needs to be put under the water and the pipes plugged, raise and put on brackets.


WOW, simple yet VERY functional.....

[partagas]

Originally posted by North Bay 101
I saw that someone posted this about a year and a half ago and I liked it so much that I saved the pictures. It looks inexpensive and very do able. I do not remember who came up with the idea but it wasn't me. To prime the unit, the whole thing needs to be put under the water and the pipes plugged, raise and put on brackets.

http://www.qrp.net/fish/cl1.jpg

http://www.qrp.net/fish/cl2.jpg

I was looking at this and then started laughing. I know who the person is. His name is Vin Miller, he can be found on http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=209. He does not have that set up any more. If you follow this link you will see why. He has an out standing set up and two amazing tanks.
http://www.vinmiller.net/aquaria/index.html

[partagas]

Also just an update, if you see him on line. Tell him to update his site. Right now his site only has his old 120. He has a 125 and a 180 set up in one room both making an "L" shape in one corner.

[melev]

That would work, as long as the siphon is never broken.

For a 50g, you could use a Mag 12 and a 3/4" SeaSwirl if you like. The SCWD would work as well, and is quite a bit less expensive. In a little over a month, 3iQ is supposed to be releasing the 1" model of the SCWD.

[Ron Popeil]

a mag 12 and one sea swirl for my return? or would i have enough flow to branch off and have one sea swirl and two or so outlets into my tank? or even two sea swirls?

im looking for enough flow to get everywhere in my tank, be random and/or current-like and keep sps corals saturated with flow.

[melev]

I've never owned a SS, but I know one guy with a 1/2" SS that couldn't take more than 500gph. I'd guess a 3/4" would take a decent amount of flow, but I don't know how much.

[CatDog]

I like these ideas, these are good approaches, but please comment on another idea of mine and tell me where my logic is wrong.

To increase flow in the back of the tank, why can't I just place a submersible pump (Mag 9.5), plumb with multiple outflows in a spray bar fashion, and simply set it in the rear of the tank behind the rockwork.

I know the first objection will be preventing debri from getting into the pump, but with a filter sponge on the intake, I think that would take care of that.

What am I missing here?

Thanks,
CatDog

[sdmike]

Originally posted by CatDog
I like these ideas, these are good approaches, but please comment on another idea of mine and tell me where my logic is wrong.

To increase flow in the back of the tank, why can't I just place a submersible pump (Mag 9.5), plumb with multiple outflows in a spray bar fashion, and simply set it in the rear of the tank behind the rockwork.

I know the first objection will be preventing debri from getting into the pump, but with a filter sponge on the intake, I think that would take care of that.

What am I missing here?

Thanks,
CatDog

Getting to the back of the tank to change the filter... Can you say Nitrates?

Mike

[musicsmaker]

I can say phosphates. :)

[ErikS]

To increase flow in the back of the tank, why can't I just place a submersible pump (Mag 9.5), plumb with multiple outflows in a spray bar fashion, and simply set it in the rear of the tank behind the rockwork.

1. Big pump would be hard to hide
2. Cleaning the sponge

The first idea is the best (the linked one). I belive the 2nd one (inline pics) would need to be primed EVERYTIME power was lost - not my idea of fun (out while @ work & the pump would burn up).

[melev]

Another thing to consider is the heat a Mag 9.5 will add to your water 24 hours a day.

[musicsmaker]

You don't have to have a sponge on a mag 9.5. Just run it with a strainer.

[CatDog]

Regarding the heat issue, does anyone know how Mag drives do on a Wavemaster?