Help me build my 540 gallon

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
gavigan1;4754856;4754856 said:
Some draft plans for sump and plumbing.
Click to expand...
Just a comment (I'm sure you thought of this though), I don't see any check valves for your bottom returns. I decided against bottom returns for my tank because I didn't like the idea of check valve failure which could potentially drain my tank down to the bottom. If the power goes out, you need something that will stop the water all the time every time, otherwise, you could imagine what will happen :)

EDIT: just read, grey triangle = check valve. I'd get the best check valve money can buy. Don't get the cheap white PVC check valves from Lowes. Your fishes' lives depend on it :)
 
A TRUE closed loop system needs no check valves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Lq_Cx4tIw
more video to come.
I installed HIGH quality ball valves--I simply turn off the pump, shut the ball valve no mess.
If the power fails there is no mess as the water simply stops moving, because the loop is closed...no air can get in.

I also posted an album on this hope it of use.
 
H20Boy;4764113;4764113 said:
A TRUE closed loop system needs no check valves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Lq_Cx4tIw
more video to come.
I installed HIGH quality ball valves--I simply turn off the pump, shut the ball valve no mess.
If the power fails there is no mess as the water simply stops moving, because the loop is closed...no air can get in.

I also posted an album on this hope it of use.
Click to expand...
That's great and all, IF he decides to run a closed loop system. But if you see his plans, it's a sump, which will require check valves.
 
So, the idea of draining through the overflow and returning THROUGH the bottom of the tank is possibly the worst idea ever. No offense, but that is certainly asking for trouble, regardless of check valves and safety measures.. The design of the flow should be to drain through the overflow and return through the side or top. Either is acceptable.

A closed loop should be exactly that, closed.
 
Clay;4764714; said:
So, the idea of draining through the overflow and returning THROUGH the bottom of the tank is possibly the worst idea ever. No offense, but that is certainly asking for trouble, regardless of check valves and safety measures.. The design of the flow should be to drain through the overflow and return through the side or top. Either is acceptable.

A closed loop should be exactly that, closed.
Click to expand...

I have a wet dry filter that is on it's own return pump and it uses the overflow. At the same time if I you to add 3,000 GPH-my overflow box would soulnd like a waterfall.

I think that a closed loop has alot to offer, mainly you can move a high volume of water without introducing micro bubble, and heat to the display tank, the finished look is very clean.

I will post a video of my closed loop set up.
 
Closed loops are great. What was posted is not a closed loop.

As far as your setup, I'm sure it's fine. If you wanted to push 3k gph through, I'm sure it would be fine with some different plumbing.

The freshwater community is in love with Dursos, and tbh, they leave a lot to be desired. Siphons and safeties are the wave of the future. :)
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW_h_UB71rw

I hope that this video helps you build a closed loop.
A closed loop is just that closed.
What you have is not, but you have the right idea and a very cool tank (I like the step ladder in the tank)
The way my Barracuda return is plumbed it makes almost no noise-Take a listen in this video it is the only pump online (I turned of my wet dry/return and skimmer thus the low water line)
High volume of water in your overflow= High volume noise.
 
H20Boy;4764769; said:
At the same time if I you to add 3,000 GPH-my overflow box would soulnd like a waterfall.
Click to expand...

Not if you add a Herbie pipe :) I've personally seen a 600g tank that was doing about 6-7000gph with 3" Herbie pipes and you'd swear there was no tank in the living room at all. Dead silent. If you take the time to do it right (which most people here do not), then you can make a silent overflow/sump setup.
 
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