Closed loop / powerhead combo no wires

[hmmmmm]

Just thinking of a flow plan for my build, looking for some input. Basically i just had a few beers, started messing around with my l33t paint skills and came up with something, which might be dumb, so dont hesitate to shoot it down ;Happy First time designing a system from scratch and no experience with closed loop.

I have 2 major requirement: no wires anywhere and redundancy. The plan is to build a shallow lagoon style mixed reef. With a center column instead of a normal overflow. The reason being the tank will be visible from all 4 sides, so i want something without powerheads or any equipment on the glass. I can hide some stuff around the column with the rocks/aquascape.

Here is the plan:

And the theory behind it:
- Use a closed loop system with random flow generators to provide the main flow, more output on the right side where the sps will be after the tank has settled in. Intake just below the main drain, so the water level will never be lower than this. Thinking of an aqua medic dc pump, as it has a 0-10v input, so i can control the flow using my apex.
-Return pump from the sump, will also provide flow, so if the closed loop pump fails or vice versa no problemo. This means i dont need redundant return pumps, which would not provide any extra flow. And i can use different brands and techniques (AC return) for further redundancy.
-Sealed off chamber in the top of the the column with an MP40 to provide more flow when needed, or run at low speed for extra surface agitation. Hooked up to ups for when the power goes out. So a backup for both the power hungry return and closed loop pump, while also adding a third layer of redundancy for flow.

Please feel free to add any comment or suggestion!

 

[Ron Reefman]

I think your plan is pretty good. I like the design. I wish I had a room where I could do a 4 sided tank! I have a new 90g build and have been considering a closed loop as well. I had a serious CL system on a 180g tank a few years ago.

The one thing I'd can see that I think you need to consider is 1 more drain. I full flow open drain with a gate valve, 1 durso and a big emergency drain. Your drawing shows 2 of the 3 (I think).

 

[Mical]

Very cool concept - following.

 

[ca1ore]

Buddy of mine did something very similar years ago, including mounting a vortech dryside in an isolated chamber within the overflow. Closed loop worked great but the vortech quickly failed. He just could not keep it dry enough. We then dumped the vortech, and put a larger hole in the weir so that a more conventional power head could be used with the motor and wires hidden. That worked pretty well.

 

[hmmmmm]

Alright so not as mental of a plan as i thought

Ill keep that failing mp40 in mind and make the space as large as possible.

 

[Ashish Patel]

I remember years ago my favorite tank was Pauls large 400+ gallon 4 sided tank. Link below

Tank of the Month - December 2008 - Reefkeeping.com

www.reefkeeping.com

Seeing how Paul was getting the SPS growth form/ symmetry with pumps only coming from the middle was enough for me to ask him for advice. He said he would have few Tunze pumps on that would move water one direction, Then the 2nd group of pumps would move flow in a different directions. He was moving water clockwise for X amount of time (maybe 10 minutes) then counterclockwise. I really was expecting something complicated but you can definitely use the 4 view able panels to your advantage.

 

[hmmmmm]

Not a fan of the stand, but hotdamn thats a beautifull tank

 

[Ashish Patel]

I used to use that picture as a desktop background in 2009. I imagined how awesome if would be to relax in this room.

 

[Pntbll687]

Just thinking of a flow plan for my build, looking for some input. Basically i just had a few beers, started messing around with my l33t paint skills and came up with something, which might be dumb, so dont hesitate to shoot it down ;Happy First time designing a system from scratch and no experience with closed loop.

I have 2 major requirement: no wires anywhere and redundancy. The plan is to build a shallow lagoon style mixed reef. With a center column instead of a normal overflow. The reason being the tank will be visible from all 4 sides, so i want something without powerheads or any equipment on the glass. I can hide some stuff around the column with the rocks/aquascape.

Here is the plan:

And the theory behind it:
- Use a closed loop system with random flow generators to provide the main flow, more output on the right side where the sps will be after the tank has settled in. Intake just below the main drain, so the water level will never be lower than this. Thinking of an aqua medic dc pump, as it has a 0-10v input, so i can control the flow using my apex.
-Return pump from the sump, will also provide flow, so if the closed loop pump fails or vice versa no problemo. This means i dont need redundant return pumps, which would not provide any extra flow. And i can use different brands and techniques (AC return) for further redundancy.
-Sealed off chamber in the top of the the column with an MP40 to provide more flow when needed, or run at low speed for extra surface agitation. Hooked up to ups for when the power goes out. So a backup for both the power hungry return and closed loop pump, while also adding a third layer of redundancy for flow.

Please feel free to add any comment or suggestion!

Design looks ok to me.

But if you're going the custom route, why not have holes drilled on the bottom for more closed loop options? This would get you the "no wires" in the tank look you want, and the oultets and inlets can easily be hidden within rock work.