i need some ideas
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Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27769
Printed Date: August 04 2025 at 8:55am
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Topic: i need some ideas
Posted By: john hill
Subject: i need some ideas
Date Posted: August 31 2008 at 9:57pm
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i need to start plumbing my new tank it is a 224 with duel over flows with two returns in the top back corners and one hole in the midlle of the bottom i have never had to do any of this before the sump will be in the basment so the hole in the bottom i am thinking of some type of spray bar or some thing like that if i had one more hole i could do a closed loop so what do you think ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Replies:
Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 7:45am
That is one looong sentence! 
There are so many ways to do this- what do you plan to put in the tank? |
Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 10:02am
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mostly sps ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 11:25am
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Closed loops used to be a great way to go. I'm sure that was the original intent of the hole in the bottom of your tank. However, with the newer Korallia and Vortech options, closed loops are quickly loosing their appeal. I would consider plugging the hole in the bottom to avoid a potential catostrophic leak. Or, another option would be to plumb a stand pipe through the bottom (hide it behind the LR of course) and use it for quick, siphon free water changes. With a ball valve, some hose and a floor drain, you could have a super convenient water change method!Good luck - please let us know how you decide to go. |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 1:03pm
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I'm with Shane on this.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 3:37pm
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Yeah, the newer powerheads are good for the money, energy efficient, and decently reliable. However, they are still a powerhead. I agree with Shane- closed loops are losing their appeal (for smaller tanks).
Another flow option would be to get a flywheel-like current going in the tank, and this could be done using two powerheads or a closed loop system. |
Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 7:11pm
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how would i do the flywheel ? i would like to do a surge tank but just not going to hapen with this tank . do you think i can put a squid on a closed loop with a blue line 40 pump ? or will that be to much flow? ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 7:34pm
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Check out my new tank blog in the DIY forum.
An squid may not work really well on that pump. Squids are designed for less flow. I would do a bunch of Korallias before that, personally. |
Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 9:03pm
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the only problem with the korallias is you have to have the controler ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 9:23pm
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My tank is a 225g and I have a closed loop on it. I have no compaints whatsoever with it and like you said, no powerheads to look at. If I was to do it over again I probably wouldnt have gone with 8 returns, I would of gone down to 6 or 5, but I'm still very happy with my flow. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 9:40pm
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i need to see your tank on the tour and get inspiration brad.
corey do you think that the surface skimmer in that link would be loud ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 10:28pm
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I bet it would, actually.
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Posted By: kgross
Date Posted: September 21 2008 at 3:15pm
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I would say do not try to use that bottom hole as a return unless it is on a closed loop. As a return in the case of a pump failure, power outage, etc, you will end up draining your tank. Putting a check valve on it, will not stop it from draining unless you clean that check valve constantly, any critter that gets into the valve will stop it from closing all the way and it will leak when you need it to seal. I would say use it as a closed loop intake, and do your closed loop return as a manifold over the top of the tank, or plug it off. Kim |
Posted By: john hill
Date Posted: September 21 2008 at 9:52pm
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that is what i was going to do use it for a drain to the closed loop and also for suport for a raised rock ------------- out with the large and in with the nano |
Posted By: kgross
Date Posted: September 21 2008 at 9:55pm
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One neat thing you could do with it is use it for a closed loop return to put some water out under the rock structure. Then you would not have to worry about sand going down the drain into the closed loop... Kim |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 22 2008 at 8:53am
Very dangerous to use the plumbing to support rock. Unusual stress on the bulkhead and a mess if it breaks. If it leaks and needs to be fixed, what to do with the rock sitting on it?  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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john hill wrote: