Closed loop for a 65

[kskvarci]

Just wondering what pump you guys with closed loops would recommend to replace circulation provided by 3 MJ 900's and 1 1200. This is for an AGA 65 ( 36x18x24 ). I'm looking for the best combination of quietness and low heat transfer.

Also, although pvc will cover with coralline eventually, I don’t want to deal with the temp. eye sore that it will create. I'm going to be running two of the four outlets I plan on all the way down the back to the bottom of the tank to keep everything in suspension ( I have a bare bottom tank ). Does anyone know where I can get black pvc or ABS pipe locally? Given that I have a black background, this will look best.

 

[Matt L.]

Try spray paint

...Does anyone know where I can get black pvc or ABS pipe locally? Given that I have a black background, this will look best.

For closed loop piping within my current tank, I simply spray painted regular white PVC black. It has been in service for six months now with no problem,

Matt

 

[NateHanson]

Ditto. Rustoleum spray paint. Most of my PVC is above the waterline, but even the bit of painted stuff in the water doesn't seem to be causing major problems, and is holding up well.

Nate

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Really? I would never paint anything going in a SW aquarium. Long term effects might be unknown. And I've never seen any boat that can boast that paint hasn't peeled

 

[kskvarci]

hmm. not sure i want to spraypaint something going into my tank. Just one more thing to worry about.. Anyone seen black pipe anywhere around here? I may have to just order some.

 

[Matt L.]

Oh, I wouldn't worry about spray paint below the waterline (unless you try to paint under the water). Spray paint is a solvent based paint, and it adheres to plastics very well by slightly dissolving the surface of the plastic, which in this case is PVC. The same cannot be said true for spraying metals, wood, and stone, where there is no dissolving of the surface, and thus the spray paint will peel or fade as reported. The pigmentation in spray paint is very recalcitrant, and nowadays in latex, which means that as the solvents evaporate, you're left with pigmentation solidified int he previously dissolved PVC. I would really think that everyone is safe with spray paint below the saltwater line. Covnersely, if you switch to lesser used plastics, and I'm not saying this could happen, untested for reef aquaria plastics could leach plasticisers, etc. into the water. What I'm trying to say is that you would bear a risk (which in my opinion is equal) either way,

Matt

 

[Lam]

I just bought a can of Karyon (sp?) black spray paint. In my search, there are people out there that have used it for years without apparent problems. If you're worried about peeling, there's always the back up coralline algae to cover it up eventually.

I had debated using grey electrical pvc tubing. That is another option.

 

[KevK]

Is the tank already drilled? Could you drill down low and hide the plumbing behind your tank, not inside the tank? You could drill a ltttle lower then run the pvc behind the rocks. How about black soft rubber tubing?

 

[KevK]

OOPs I ment silicone tubing.

 

[kskvarci]

Drilling the tank is kinda out of the question. I contemplated black silicon tubing, but it will be difficult to keep in place. Maybe I'll look into the spraypaint... Theres got to black pvc somewhere thoough..

 

[cjburden]

try looking around for irrigation or sewer pipe.

it isn't black, but its grayish or so.... looks better than the white
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=24160-150-05.401


or you could use pvc primer to paint the pipe purple and it would blend with the coralline.

 

[ChucksReef]

I ordered all my black pvc and fittings from www.savko.com They only have the pipe in 3/4"-2" and it is sold in 5' sticks. They have some black fittings but not all. HTH

-Chuck

 

[kskvarci]

I ordered all my black pvc and fittings from www.savko.com They only have the pipe in 3/4"-2" and it is sold in 5' sticks. They have some black fittings but not all. HTH

-Chuck

exactly what i was looking for. thanks!

 

[mikestod]

if you're looking for mailorder www.mcmaster.com will also have lots

 

[wrassefan]

Any plumbing supply house carries abs (black pvc you are referring to). I've seen some at Home Depot but only certain size.

 

[Lam]

The clear PVCs are way cool. I wonder if that is better than black for hiding/concealing. I never found black PVCs at my local home depot.

 

[kskvarci]

The clear PVCs are way cool. I wonder if that is better than black for hiding/concealing. I never found black PVCs at my local home depot.

i contemplated clear, but was concerned with algae growth and maintenance. sometimes they have ABS at home depot, but not in small sizes that would be good for a closed loop eg < 1".