Plumbing on 120

[TacticalDumb***]

We recently got this 120 with a bulk head configuration that I’m not familiar with. What method does this use? Can I seal off the bulk heads on the back and use only the ones on the bottom? How should I plumb it?

We got it with the stand for $140.

 

[Peace River]

Congratulations on the good deal and on the new adventure! It looks like you have an aquarium that was plumbed as a closed loop system.

Here is a video from Tidal Gardens that provides an explanation of a closed loop system:

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Nice - pre-done Closed loop.
Lots of opportunity to create to create a dynamic tank that does not require any powerheads.

Based on the confirmation I see, I’m going to guess it was like a fresh water tank to begin with, but I can see how you could use this to your advantage.

Here's what iI think would work well. The only modification would need to make is to drill a new hole for a an overflow box.

On the closed loop returns , you could add stand pipes with Random Flow Generators on them ends like this.

Setup like this you would even need a power head for this tank - it would flow beautifully.

 

[TacticalDumb***]

Setup like this you would even need a power head for this tank - it would flow beautifully.

Do you mean I wouldn't need power heads or I would still need them?

 

[TacticalDumb***]

Nice - pre-done Closed loop.
Lots of opportunity to create to create a dynamic tank that does not require any powerheads.

Based on the confirmation I see, I’m going to guess it was like a fresh water tank to begin with, but I can see how you could use this to your advantage.

Here's what iI think would work well. The only modification would need to make is to drill a new hole for a an overflow box.

On the closed loop returns , you could add stand pipes with Random Flow Generators on them ends like this.

Setup like this you would even need a power head for this tank - it would flow beautifully.

Thanks for the info. I will take this into consideration.

 

[TacticalDumb***]

Congratulations on the good deal and on the new adventure! It looks like you have an aquarium that was plumbed as a closed loop system.

Here is a video from Tidal Gardens that provides an explanation of a closed loop system:

Thank You for the video. Had never heard of a closed loop before. I've got some research to do.

 

[Peace River]

Do you mean I wouldn't need power heads or I would still need them?

I think the implication was that you would not need power heads if you add RFGs to the closed loop outflows. Not that Antonio needs my support (he is a master at flow), but I agree with the suggestion.

 

[TacticalDumb***]

I think the implication was that you would not need power heads if you add RFGs to the closed loop outflows. Not that Antonio needs my support (he is a master at flow), but I agree with the suggestion.

That's what I thought as well, though it doesn't hurt to be sure.

 

[TacticalDumb***]

Nice - pre-done Closed loop.
Lots of opportunity to create to create a dynamic tank that does not require any powerheads.

Based on the confirmation I see, I’m going to guess it was like a fresh water tank to begin with, but I can see how you could use this to your advantage.

Here's what iI think would work well. The only modification would need to make is to drill a new hole for a an overflow box.

On the closed loop returns , you could add stand pipes with Random Flow Generators on them ends like this.

Setup like this you would even need a power head for this tank - it would flow beautifully.

Another question I have is how will the closed loop work with a sump? Do I need a pump in the sump and a pump for outside the sump? I've googled some pictures of closed loop systems but I'm still not sure what the external plumbing should look like. My dad want to keep thing as low profile as possible because the tank will be against a wall and there will be a couch that will sit to the right of the tank so he's not a big fan of plumbing outside of the stand. Although I'm sure we can cover it enough to hide every thing, convincing him is another matter.

Edit: If it helps, the inside stand dimensions are 46in L x 21in W x 21in h. we plan on using a 30 gallon tank as a sump. is that too big, too small or just fine?

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I think the implication was that you would not need power heads if you add RFGs to the closed loop outflows. Not that Antonio needs my support (he is a master at flow), but I agree with the suggestion.

...But I might need you help with typing though - LOL

Yes - I meant you "would NOT even need powerheads"

 

[TacticalDumb***]

...But I might need you help with typing though - LOL

Yes - I meant you "would NOT even need powerheads"

That's what I thought. Rn the main concern is that the stand is really short and my dad is worried that there won't be enough space for the closed loop and sump. We only have 2 ft to work with height wise. How you would you recommend we plumb this?

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Another question I have is how will the closed loop work with a sump? Do I need a pump in the sump and a pump for outside the sump? I've googled some pictures of closed loop systems but I'm still not sure what the external plumbing should look like. My dad want to keep thing as low profile as possible because the tank will be against a wall and there will be a couch that will sit to the right of the tank so he's not a big fan of plumbing outside of the stand. Although I'm sure we can cover it enough to hide every thing, convincing him is another matter.

Edit: If it helps, the inside stand dimensions are 46in L x 21in W x 21in h. we plan on using a 30 gallon tank as a sump. is that too big, too small or just fine?

A closed loop with need it sown ump, but it does not necessary need to be in the sump. IN fact, most closed pumps sit out outside sump, and are a separate system for the sump.

You return pump sitting in the sump is technically an "open" loop meaning it is not sealed. Water flows throgh your sump, which is open to the air.

Where as a "Closed" loop is sealed to the tank and the water in the loop is contiguous to the water in the tank.

There are a number of was to setup a close loop but and they it can even be two pump being fed by one drain (that's how I have mine)

In your case, i think I would go with two smaller pumps positioned close to the inlets, as opposed to one larger pump feeding the loops. Then both would be supplied by a single drain. That would get most of the at plumbing for the loops under the tank as opposed to hanging off the back

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

That's what I thought. Rn the main concern is that the stand is really short and my dad is worried that there won't be enough space for the closed loop and sump. We only have 2 ft to work with height wise. How you would you recommend we plumb this?

It would certainly be a challenge given the height restrictions. Especially since you would want/need shut-off valves and quick disconnects to make servicing easier.

That center brace right behind the would-be drain kind of complicates thing too. Based on the Hight restricts , I think I would go with a singled pump as opposed to dual close loop pumps.

Here is a very (VERY) rough drawing of how it might be setup with a Single pump.

 

[TacticalDumb***]

So do you think I should use a T fitting right after the pump to push water out the sides? Or have the T fitting right before the pump to push water out the center? I get the idea of how to do the rest of it. the diagram helps quite a bit but I'm confused with how you have the pump. I have some hardware stores nearby that I can use to get most of the parts but the pump will probably need to be ordered. What flow speed do you recommend this pump have if the tank is going to be LPS dominated with soft corals?

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

So do you think I should use a T fitting right after the pump to push water out the sides? Or have the T fitting right before the pump to push water out the center? I get the idea of how to do the rest of it. the diagram helps quite a bit but I'm confused with how you have the pump. I have some hardware stores nearby that I can use to get most of the parts but the pump will probably need to be ordered. What flow speed do you recommend this pump have if the tank is going to be LPS dominated with soft corals?

I would do a T fitting on the pump outlet.

And, if possible, to reduce inlet frictio you want as few bends or elbows as possible. To accomplish this, you can run the pump in a vertical orientation. - that's how I did our closed loops on our office tank, which you can see in our build thread here

The other important detail that is shown in that diagram are the shutoff valves and unions. This is paramount - you need to be abel to isolate the pump and have the ability to remove it without draining the tank for instances where you may need to service the pump. Ultimately - those fitting are what take up all the space and can make fitting something like this tough in smaller spaces - just takes some extra planning