what's closed loop?

[dzhuo]

Hi,
What's closed loop? Exactly how do you set up a closed loop? What are the advantages and disadvantages of closed loop as oppose to just using power head? If you have a closed loop, do you still need power head?

thanks!
david

[ssgibby]

With closed loop circulation a larger water pump is used outside the tank, but the inlet and outlet lines are run between the tank and the pump. With the simplest form of closed loop circulation, only the piping is visible. With a little more planning, before the tank is setup, it is possible to drill the tank such that the piping for the closed loop circulation goes through the back, sides or bottom of the tank. This allows for the piping and the outlets to be hidden within the rock framework.

[Zack]

totally argee with scott and plan before if you want to do one!

[fishfreek]

If you size your pump correctly and also plan your rockwork within the tank correctly you will not need any extra pumps in the tank for circulation.