Closed Loop Water Flow Systems for Reef Aquariums

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Closed Loop Water Flow Systems for Reef Aquariums

Рет қаралды 30,062

Күн бұрын

This video is all about closed loop flow systems. We use closed loops extensively at the coral farm, and it may be a water flow design that makes sense for your future build. In this video I want to go over what closed loops are and the pros and cons of using them.
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This video was shot and edited by Tidal Gardens. Tidal Gardens owns all intellectual property rights to this content.
0:00 Introduction
2:27 Pro #1 Pump Servicing
3:10 Pro #2 Cooler Operations
3:34 Pro #3 Aesthetics
4:20 Pro #4 No Voltage Leaks
5:02 Pro #5 Monster Pumps
5:53 Con #1 Holes in Tanks
6:36 Con #2 Leaking Bulkheads
8:21 Con #3 Plumbing Complexity
8:57 Con #4 No Liquid Cooling
9:33 Con #5 Pump Head Pressure
9:53 Con #6 Intake Strainer
10:24 Con #7 Intake Restriction
12:11 Tip #1 Backup Strainers
12:29 Tip #2 Unions
13:06 Tip #3 Drip Trays
13:36 Tip #4 Wire Management
14:03 Final Thoughts

Пікірлер: 76

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

Have you guys ever tried closed loop pumps to provide flow?

@ThePthinker Жыл бұрын

Nope, but am seriously thinking about it on my new 350 gallon. My thoughts are, on a peninsula, it might keep the power heads off the display.

@northeastcorals Жыл бұрын

I've never used closed loops due to the cons you mentioned, plus some other big cons which probably affect the UK more than the US are: Energy efficiency, powerheads usually create a lot more flow per electrical watt required due to their design & not having the frictional loss created by pipes etc & electricity is EXPENSIVE in the UK. Plus any heat transferred into the water is usually a good thing in our climate, for around 10 months of the year anyway 😆 Space is always at a premium in the UK (high rents/small spaces etc) so all that hard plumbing under & behind the tanks is taking up valuable real estate. I also like the fact that if a powerhead dies when I am away from the tanks for some time theres will still be several other powerheads working until I return, although you could of course use multiple closed loop pumps on a system as well but it'd take up yet more room & require more plumbing etc. I can see why closed loop makes sense in the land of plenty though 😁

@Alen_D Жыл бұрын

Been running a closed loop for 5 years now no regrets

@spicyreef Жыл бұрын

So closed loop has nothing to do with external filtration, it is only a means to provide flow in the tank instead of using "wavemaker" type impellers w/in the aquarium?

@Alen_D Жыл бұрын

@@spicyreef that’s correct. You are essentially using an additional return pump that’s providing flow to spaces in the tank that you would normally see dead spots in

@Aqua_noob Жыл бұрын

Your facility is a true masterpiece. Thanks for informative video!

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

So nice of you

@RogueAquariums Жыл бұрын

Closed loops are very functional when applied properly. Great job on the installs Than.

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

Thanks! 👍

@seancolinclark Жыл бұрын

For intake strainers look into Spears foot valve strainers like this 1-1/2 version CFVS7-015. They offer a nice balance between the profile and suction dispersion.

@joeyballz7679 Жыл бұрын

I love Andrew's Scoly tank! Beautiful addition to the video

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

I am thinking of doing a short video on it.

@joeyballz7679 Жыл бұрын

@@tidalgardens there are too many short videos we made in that house LOL. It's like Disneyland for Reef Junkies in there

@lakeshiamills1454 Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate this video. I've been trying to find good conclusive/informative videos of information on closed loop systems and the pros and cons for years! I wanted to try something similar on a smaller scale and see how it works out but now I'm reconsidering that as an option. It could still work, but since my largest tank is only going to be 25 to 30 gallons going with a sump or other filtration method might be more sensible for my needs.

@lisariggio6916 Жыл бұрын

I LOVE this!! Some of the best tips EVER lots of things I've given thought to, but you tested it for me

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

You are welcome. Good luck with your project.

@doghousereefer Жыл бұрын

Farm is so nice I don't even want to call it a farm, It's BEAUTIFUL!!! I've noticed you have a wide variety in lighting in your place, I'm very interested in knowing your experience with each and your preference for each application, I think it would make a great video! Love your videos

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Right now we use mostly Ecotech Radion lighting. We aren't the best place to do any technical testing comparing fixtures unfortunately. A lot of what we like about lights is more to do with user experience than lighting performance.

@casualreefkeeping Жыл бұрын

@@tidalgardens I think gallery would be a great way to describe the farm. Like. Jewelry store almost.

@ou812reefing Жыл бұрын

A true explanation thanks for sharing

@RobBoryckiGolf Жыл бұрын

Great video as always Than and I like info about the differences

@AFCRichmond2782 8 ай бұрын

Thank you very much👍🏼🐟🐠

@CescaTheDarkHorse Жыл бұрын

Nice update 👍 enjoyed watching 👀 👍

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

@Trickmanii Жыл бұрын

To reduce risk...I would think it would be smart to have the intakes at the bottom of a overflow boxes. Still can be a closed loop but this fixes your strainer issue. Also fixes the issue of massive failures. It also hides all your ugly plumbing.

@jussless2834 Жыл бұрын

No I haven’t i finished the video and you explained the closed loop with a little tweak I think this would work on my new build at least the lower section but I have question how do the ( out) drain get to the sump or do you use two pumps from the tank to the sump and another closed loop from the sump back to the tank

@cresento 3 ай бұрын

If i use abyzz 100 n keep distance within half a meter hope the pump can handle the suction. Hopefully can do priming manually once n subsequent usage might not require priming

@justinderange4078 Жыл бұрын

What I have always done after the bulkhead is in place on the bottom for the closed-loop and it's tight and snug I silicone around the bulkhead to the glass in the aquarium never had a issue

@MrMittens1974 4 ай бұрын

What's the gorgeous big red fish @4:42? Looks a real character.

@shirtdirt1874 Жыл бұрын

What kind of intake strainers are you using?

@tamaghnajoardar3125 6 ай бұрын

Do I need more head height or more lph for closed loop system?

@schukls993 Жыл бұрын

does Than do his own plumbing? I wonder if the plumbing parts cost more than the aluminum extrusion stands.

@mathiaswagner2968 Жыл бұрын

At 04:35 what is that big red fish? I’ve never seen anything like it!

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

It is some rare deepwater anthias.

@TuanPhan-bp3ht Жыл бұрын

If you use flex hose the pump won’t send all the vibration to the bulkhead and will be more forgiving when your tech service the pump.

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

I used something called spa-flex in the past but went away from it. I liked how flexible it was but it maintained a curved shape as a result of it being in a roll for so long in storage. Also, spa flex is a difficult material to glue so over time it would spring leaks on us.

@michaelross5674 Жыл бұрын

Is that big red fish a hawk fish at like 4:30 in video???? If so wow that's big

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

It is an Anthias

@davidcalkins8087 Жыл бұрын

awesome video. where did you get your screens from

@cresento 3 ай бұрын

Can we do closed loop from intaking water from display tank through a pipe plumped over top of tank

@tidalgardens 3 ай бұрын

Possibly. It depends on the height of the display tank and the pump because most pumps are not great on the suction side and require priming.

@jussless2834 Жыл бұрын

Hi I have a question how do you quit your overflow I’m brainstorming a new build and I’m searching for quiet overflows and I saw a video of a tour of your farm and it was mentioned how quiet it was

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

Do a search for "bean animal overflow." We like that design to quiet down overflow systems.

@carllindqvist6790 Жыл бұрын

Hey Tidal Gardens, what lightning settings do you run on your radions? Thanks for the content, love it.

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

It is a slightly more blue AB+

@rolisreefranch Жыл бұрын

Excellent video and information. From where do you source these cool drip trays?

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

They were custom made locally by Aqua-Crylic

@TreasureCorals Жыл бұрын

Why is there two 90 angles on the return going into the tank? Seems like a strait up pipe would be more efficient, what am I missing? Thanks.

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

Long story short it is for ease of install and maintenance. The additional 90 provides much needed flexibility and takes a lot of strain off of connections/bulkheads when screwing or unscrewing unions and turning valves.

@TreasureCorals Жыл бұрын

@@tidalgardens Thank you, makes sense. Have you considered doing spa flex going up and rigid down? Should achieve something similar but with no 90x2 loss.

@Blue-Tang-Clan Жыл бұрын

Where did you acquire those white drip trays? They look great!

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

They were made custom locally by Aqua-Crylic

@moonrockreefery Жыл бұрын

I saw the closed loop sticking up out the frag tank and then it looks like a PVC Cap with NPT threads on it. Is that custom made or is that something you can buy? Right now I use a 5 way cross and its extremely bulky. I love the slim profile with the npt loclines coming out. Where can I find one of those?

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

It is a custom thing. It is basically a 3"? or 4"? cap that is drilled and tapped.

@moonrockreefery Жыл бұрын

Is there anyway I can get up close pictures of this?

@naimbeats Жыл бұрын

Bondhus are the best T handle keys ever.

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

I have enjoyed using them.

@SB-ju4yf Жыл бұрын

How do you integrate the sump and skimmer?

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

They are separate things. Closed loops don't replace sumps and filters, they replace powerheads. They are just for flow.

@mzakri Жыл бұрын

i still don't understand close loop - where does the filtration goes to? i mean tank A input into a close loop pump and the pump return the same water into tank A ? where the sump

@InfiniteReef Жыл бұрын

Do those L2 get hot since they arent cooled by the water?

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

Yes and no. When running properly they are cool, but if they get too dirty they will heat up.

@Waynerock77 Жыл бұрын

Sorry for the stupid question, but how do you use mechanical filtration on a closed loop tank?

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

The closed loops are only for flow, your filtration would still be however you normally would do it - in a sump or wherever.

@Waynerock77 Жыл бұрын

@@tidalgardens ahhh now the wheels are turning. That’s what I get for playing this video while driving and not paying attention 100%

@CoralMan24 Жыл бұрын

what kind of acid do you clean your strainers in?

@tidalgardens Жыл бұрын

We use citric acid for cleanup now.

@CoralMan24 Жыл бұрын

@@tidalgardens like CLR?

@BruceSchaller Жыл бұрын

I know that most of these videos are general, but i think it would be good to give some more bread crumbs with the terminology... I think that the terms 'pump curve' would be very useful. There is some additional fluid flow terminology too ... 'net positive suction head' is how much pressure must be present at the inlet of a pump to prevent problems (cavitation). Properly reading a pump curve solves lots of problems before you have em.

@Smitsva Жыл бұрын

I feel like you should put black panels on those stands (magnetically attached or are those frames aluminum), that would make the room look much more professional.

@jesusbarajas9444 Жыл бұрын

What is your filtration in a closed loop?

@masonj19 Жыл бұрын

Same as normal, closed loops are literally just an alternative to wave pumps for flow. It's a separate closed loop to the filtration. Main filtration will still be a return pump with overflow, return skimmer and all that.