i hate the look of my powerheads in my tank. I have a mag 7 that i don't use and was thinking of making a closed loop system out of it. something like this: http://www.melevsreef.com/ but without the wave maker. I have a 90 gal. reef with 200lbs live rock and some lps corals. my return pump is a mag 9. if anyone has any experience with closed loops, my question is, would the mag 7 pump give me enough flow so I can get rid of the ugly powerheads?

If not more...just as much...

The powerheads (not knowing what they are) are probably pushing 295 gallons per hour (Maxijet 1200) or less, but have no head loss at all. The Mag7, though you'd have some head loss with the pump located remotely, would be pushing around 600 GPH. So, with that said, you'd get the same flow, without the eyesore.

Keep in mind, the Mag7 is going to cost you more in electricity and will also add much more heat to the system than a powerhead.

I personally like the idea of closed loops. You add more FLOW to a system without adding more TURNOVER. My thoughts .... too much turnover (water entering and exiting system) is not good. It limits the contact time with skimmers, refugium, deep sand beds etc. However, I'm sure that we all, as reefers, would state that more FLOW is best.

Dave

i had the same thoughts fatboy. i currently have 4 maxi1200 in my 75 and that is just not enough flow for me. then i added a closed loop with my mag9. my mistake there is that i didnt ad a sqwdto that closed loop and now need to change it. the mag 9 closed loop helped create a pretty strong current but for my taste, not enough.
im going to invest in some tunzes sometime next month to replace my 4 maxiz

latez

[\with my mag9. my mistake there is that i didnt ad a sqwdto that closed loop and now need to change it.

pham could u let me what the underlined means, thanks buddy, i understood the other 99%

sqwdto= sqwd to = sqwd is a flow thingy changes which pipe flows right then...(can find the correct word right now sorry)

doh! hehe, yah adamz got it, sorry yall.
mahaloz adam =)

latez

SCWD
Switching Current Water Director
details here
http://www.3iqventures.com/
and here
http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

Thanks, guys. I guess the only way to find out if the mag7 will work is to build it. I can always swap it for a larger one later. by the way, the reason for not using a scwd is, a lot of guys (from other forums) are taking them off. they say the scwd's are too noisey and have a sticking problem. also i'm thinking of using 1'' flex pvc tubing wherever i can to cut down on using too many 45 and 90 degree fittings. this should keep my gph up. I would like to use the mag7 (free) if possible, and sell my 5 used maxi 1200's on ebay.

yo, this could work.

thanks, i was stumped on that one. its a more accurate description for a flow paddle. i should proberly use its proper name, but i know where they are on the shelves so i dont ask for assistance.

keep in mind for good filtration you want between 20-30 times per hour 1800gph and 2700gph of coirse more would hurt either.. in the 200 I am seting up I will be at about 6000 gph :mrgreen:

6000 gallons per hour of FLOW? Or turnover?

D

yo, this could work.

Did you use PEX tubing for that setup?