Closed Loop System? Please Explain..

[Kayla-Bug]

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Ran across this on CL and was thinking of getting it. These people have been trying to get rid of it for months! They were only charging $125 for it when they were charging anything at all, and now they are giving it away. What exactly is a closed loop system? I know for saltwater, but how does it work? I am thinking of getting it and storing it or something. Should I get it?

[travie]

I think they are are just referring to it being pre-drilled so that it can be connected to a sump tank.

[terrapin24h]

I am by no means an authority, but as i understand it, this is setup for a "sump" type system. Under the tank in the stand you have a sump of some sort in which is all your filter media, biological filter, etc. Essentially it's like a giant filter. Water is pumped from the sump into the main tank. Then the main tank drains(via overflow port) down into the sump. As long as the rate of pumping equals the rate of drain the whole thing churns along. The sump also provides you a place to add chemicals to the tank, test the water, do water changes etc. If you don't wish to use the drilled ports, they are easy enough to cap off and seal. Many "salters" also use thier sumps as habitats for critters that can't live in the main tank too. If im too off base im sure someone will correct me.

--chris

[oldhead]

"Closed loop" is the method of pulling water from one area of the tank and pumping it right back into several different areas in the tank to create better/higher flow and minimize any dead zones.

[Kayla-Bug]

Ok thank you. So it's just basically a sump? I asked them about it when they were trying to sell it and they didn't explain it very well. So I think I am going to go pick this baby up!

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

No, a sump and a closed loop system are 2 completely different things.

A closed look system is similar to a Canister filter in practice. Basically, there is an intake and a return and the water is simply pulled through a pump, there is no media involved. You can create one using a canister filter, you just empty it completely of media. Generally closed loop systems are accomplished by drilling the back of the tank and having the intake on one end and the return on the other.

Their purpose is to remove the need for powerheads in a tank. Closed loop systems are used almost exclusively on marine tanks.

[Kayla-Bug]

Ok, I think I sort of get it now. Do you know of any diagrams or anything that could be helpful to me? I don't think I am going to set it up anytime soon, but I would like to know what I would need for it.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

You need a pump, tubing, and for it to work best then you will also need bulkheads and likely a drill bit for drilling glass. Most of the pumps are not self-priming and as such, the intake should be below the water so that the water gravity feeds to the pump when it is idle.

[Kayla-Bug]

Ok, a little confusing, but I think I get it. I searched google for some info on it last time I ran into this tank, but didn't really find anything. I wil try again!!!

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I'll make you a diagram and post it.

[Kayla-Bug]

Ok, that would be very helpful. I looked up a video on Youtube and I get an idea of what it is now. It is basically one pipe running to the sump and then the other running from the sump into the tank to circulate the water. Am I correct? If so, then the only other question I have is how the pipes have to be set up.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

No, a closed-loop system has absolutely nothing to do with a sump, it is a completely independent system.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Here is a diagram.