Closed loop

marinelife · Jul 21, 2016

I am working on designing a closed loop for my tank.

The inputs will be on the end because it has a cabinet. So question is do I go 2 drains or 1 drain.
Option 1 - a 3" drain thru a valve then reduced to 2" to go into the pump.
Option 2 - 2 2" drains, right out of the bulkhead would be a 3" pipe from each T'd together down thru a valve then reduced to a 2" pipe before entering the pump.
Option 3 - 2 1.5" drains, right out of the bulkhead would be a 3" pipe from each T'd together down thru a valve then reduced to a 2" pipe before entering the pump.
Return pump will be a Red Dragon 230W Pump.
The drain(s) will be half way down the tank wall and the returns will come in from the top.
I only have about 1 foot from the middle of the tank to the shelf the pump will sit on.

Which would be best or is there another option that is better. This is going on a tank that has been running for years with powerheads that are gonna need replaced.

Reefing Madness · Jul 22, 2016

Pepcrylic · Jul 22, 2016

I run a HammerHead @ approx 6000gph I instaled 2 1 1/2'' drains T'ed into a 1 1/2'' pipe. I would suggest nothing less than that. IMO the 2 2'' is overkill.

marinelife · Jul 22, 2016

The reason I was thinking 2" is because the pump has a 2" input and my buddy has the pump with a 2" pipe and strainer and the pump errors because is a intelligent controllers and sense restrictions
so maybe 2" bulks with 2" pipe all the way to the pump could work

Pepcrylic · Jul 22, 2016

By all means do NOT restrict the pump in take. IMO I would go with 2 1 1/2'' bulkheads Y'ed into a 2'' line.

reef_ranch · Jul 22, 2016

In my closed loop, I plumbed 2 - 2" drains teed together then into 3 - 1.5" pipes to feed three 240W DC pumps. Never had a problem. I since changed it up and am only using 2 of the RD3 230W pumps now, each are being fed by 1.5" lines. If you know you will stick with 1 RD3, I agree with Pepcrylic -- 2 - 1.5" drains Y'ed into a 2" line into the pump. The more surface area in the tank, the less chance the intake screen gets clogged. Heck, I would go with 2 - 2" and leave open the possibility of adding another rd3 in the future, each fed by its own 2" intake.

mfinn · Jul 22, 2016

marinelife said:
The reason I was thinking 2" is because the pump has a 2" input and my buddy has the pump with a 2" pipe and strainer and the pump errors because is a intelligent controllers and sense restrictions
so maybe 2" bulks with 2" pipe all the way to the pump could work

I would go with a single 2" bulkhead. On the inside I would put a 2" tee as close to the bulkhead as possible. Then put strainers on each side of the tee. Plus, maybe a few dozen 1/4" holes all over the tee to keep the suction from coming from 2 points. Make a larger area. Help keep small fish from getting caught?

I like the two 1-1/2" bulkheads idea also, but like to keep the points of possible leaks down as much as I can.