Removing a closed loop?

Octoberfest · 10/18/2010, 11:31 AM

So I'm currently setting up a 200 gallon acrylic tank that is drilled for a closed loop. I'll admit I didn't think about this enough before I set it up and now I'm second guessing if I should have done the closed loop. Part of me is wishing I would have just bought two MP40's and called it a day.

So having said that IF I decided I wanted to do that can you think of any safe way of closing it off? I had considered putting a PVC cap inside the bulkheads and a ballvalve under the bulkhead so that its "double sealed". The other option would be to "weld" patches over the closed loop holes.

Opinions?

ebonline · 10/18/2010, 11:54 AM

I personally would just go the route of plugging the bulkheads so in the future if you sell the tank or decide to run the closed loop it is already drilled.....If you weld patches over holes then the holes would have to be redrilled if a closed loop was to ever be reinstalled.

I think you will be fine with a cap on the inside and ball valve under and I would also cap the open end of the ball valve just for added security with maybe a threaded plug....

Mr. Brooks · 10/18/2010, 12:10 PM

I'm doing this right now. Plug the holes.

Octoberfest · 10/18/2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Brooks

I'm doing this right now. Plug the holes.

How are you plugging them?

Just curious, why did you decide to plug them?

Mr. Brooks · 10/18/2010, 12:49 PM

I used bulkheads and glued caps. I hated my closed loop. Leaks, noise etc. Much happier with my Vortechs.

MTH · 10/18/2010, 11:17 PM

I did the same thing and capped/plugged my bulkheads to close off the closed loop. My 60 gallon cube has 9 holes total drilled in it. 7 on the back and 1 in each front corner. You can buy these caps either at your local hardware store or LFS.

You can see that the smaller bulkheads have threaded/twist on end caps. The two larger bulkheads at the bottom already had pvc pipe welded to them so I cut them down and welded on some plugs. Costs a few bucks but leaves you the option of going back to closed loop if you wanted.

10/18/2010, 11:31 AM	#1
Octoberfest Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NC Posts: 1,350	Removing a closed loop? So I'm currently setting up a 200 gallon acrylic tank that is drilled for a closed loop. I'll admit I didn't think about this enough before I set it up and now I'm second guessing if I should have done the closed loop. Part of me is wishing I would have just bought two MP40's and called it a day. So having said that IF I decided I wanted to do that can you think of any safe way of closing it off? I had considered putting a PVC cap inside the bulkheads and a ballvalve under the bulkhead so that its "double sealed". The other option would be to "weld" patches over the closed loop holes. Opinions? __________________ 29 gallon bio-cube with 150w metal halide sunpod fixture, stock 14 gallon bio-cube

10/18/2010, 11:54 AM	#2
ebonline Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 93	I personally would just go the route of plugging the bulkheads so in the future if you sell the tank or decide to run the closed loop it is already drilled.....If you weld patches over holes then the holes would have to be redrilled if a closed loop was to ever be reinstalled. I think you will be fine with a cap on the inside and ball valve under and I would also cap the open end of the ball valve just for added security with maybe a threaded plug.... __________________ Eric Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Display with 500 Total Gallons in construction process

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10/18/2010, 12:10 PM	#3
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	I'm doing this right now. Plug the holes.

10/18/2010, 12:49 PM	#5
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	I used bulkheads and glued caps. I hated my closed loop. Leaks, noise etc. Much happier with my Vortechs.

10/18/2010, 11:17 PM	#6
MTH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: CA Posts: 117	I did the same thing and capped/plugged my bulkheads to close off the closed loop. My 60 gallon cube has 9 holes total drilled in it. 7 on the back and 1 in each front corner. You can buy these caps either at your local hardware store or LFS. You can see that the smaller bulkheads have threaded/twist on end caps. The two larger bulkheads at the bottom already had pvc pipe welded to them so I cut them down and welded on some plugs. Costs a few bucks but leaves you the option of going back to closed loop if you wanted.