Closed loop set up

[fatman]

So with that Barracuda running through the oceans motions device how many return lines will be putting out water for the pump at one time. The velocity will be extreme unless your pumping through at least enough nozzles to reduce the velocity as that pump will deliver a velocity around 70 ft/sec out of a 1.5 inch diameter pipe. That is at least double what you would want for a velocity. Four 1" pipes running at one time would probably be about right with that pump. I would have to calculate it to know for sure, though. I get about right at 880 gallons per hour at about 32 ft/sec out of each of four 3/4" pipes with a Dart pump. I run over sized return pipes from the pump to the bulk heads and reduce down to the proper size at the nozzles so as to not lose much flow or velocity. I would get the some flow with out the reduction at the nozzles but a lower velocity (down in the low 20's).

[sagent3000]

the oceans motion has 4 outlets that are all going to be 1.5" outlets

[NewbReefer]

KISS, keep it simple stupid. dont take that wrong. I love awesome ideas like this and i often think the same way and would love to see it as you get it all together, so pics pics pics but im gonna mention that keeping it simple is gonna prevent POSSIBLE heartache later on. I can see you understand just how important flow and circulation is between a sump. so if it were me on this setup i would have 2x 2" plumbing overflows for maximum circulation possible between the DT and the sump and have simple adjustable nozzles on the returns coming into the DT and for flow inside the tank i would get a Vortech system *newbreefer druels* if i were starting a new and larger tank i would fork out the cash for one of these systems and I still may in the future but not sure it's necesarry in my 72, those things are insane, Check out the vid. they make a wave like action that nothing else can generate. they take less power and will save you money in the long run versus if your running that many pumps out of your sump. And there such a small profile that they dont stick out in your tank,.you have no cords submerged in the water and the actual motor is located on the outside of the tank so no heat heat transfer. they completely controlable so one pump can put out 100-3,000gph so they can be used in 20-500 gallon tanks. You can also get a battery backup so that if the power goes out it will power the vortechs for 30 or more hours. here they are for sale at marinedepot.com

[fatman]

Vortechs are just grossly over priced magnetic drive versions of Koralias. They are also till large enough to be considered still obtrusive and gaudy like a Koralia or other power heads. They have a few advantages over Koralias such as: very little heat transferred to water, no chance of stray voltage and it comes with electronic controller/reastat (which really is no better than a Wave maker). They are a very much over price newest fad. Lets see 8 Koralia #3's or 1 Vortech. Or a complete cloased loop circualtion system with great volume and velocities. I will stick with closed loop systems rather than gimmicks such as the over priced Vortech. As far as two 2" bulkhead overflows. That wiil easily provide over 3500 to 4000 gph. Why would anyone want to move that much (or even half, if one bulkhead is blocked) water through a small sump. I have two 2" bulk heads for a horizontal over flow but that is in case I want to run 3400 gallons per hour through an attached frag tank and then to a large sump for return to the display tank. The sump would have nothing in it but two skimmers and bubble baffles, and heaters. It would be way to turbulent for any other use such as a refugium, growing macro algae or a deep sand bed. Using a 40 gallon breeder tank holding 30 gallons as a sump would mean exchanging all the water in the sump almost twice per minute.

[sagent3000]

i don't want powerheads in my tank at all. i am also thinking about using the pond foam for a rock wall as well as some DIY live rock

[Hornet]

Originally Posted by NewbReefer

i would get a Vortech system *newbreefer druels* if i were starting a new and larger tank i would fork out the cash for one of these systems

Man that thing is expensive. For the price of that thing you could buy a reeflo dart, plumb the thing and have plenty left for beer.

Sagent I like your route. Once I pick up my tank I will be going the route of no powerdeads in the tank too

[RyanG]

Expensive and Ugly is a bad combination.

[Bifferwine]

Originally Posted by RyanG

Expensive and Ugly is a bad combination.

Especially in a girlfriend

[Hornet]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

Especially in a girlfriend

ROFL !!

[RyanG]

Even worse in an escort!