Hi Everyone,
Way back in 2004 when I built my current tank, I installed the plumbing for three CLS systems, with the pipes running in the sand bed. I had three Eheim 1260 pumps, one on each of the loops, but found that they became clogged with detritus (and especially bubble algae...) within a week, and then I had to close the valves and disconnect the pumps to clean them. Although Eheim pumps are fantastic quality, I was scared that the weekly dismantling % cleaning would cause problems in the long term, so after about 3 weeks I just stopped the CLS's - and they have not worked since then.
About the same time (if I remember correctly
) I also upgraded my main circulation pump from a Little Giant 4-MD-SC to a Panworld 200-PS, and the Little Giant has been on pension since then... but not any more 
I have just finished connecting the Little Giant to two of my old CLS loops. In the process, I have also added a single RO prefilter cannister in the intake loop. This filter will mainly be used to screen out large pieces of detritus (which could damage or block the pump), but will also be ideal for running carbon and/or PO4 remover. Cleaning the filter won't be any problem, as one only needs to close off two valves and unscrew the filter housing.
The Little Giant pump is rated at about 800 liters per hour at 0.3m head, and as it is an external, motor driven magnetic drive pump, it should add minimal heat to the system. Unfortunately I had to mount it quite a distance away from the tank (against a wall ), and the filter will also cut back a bit on flow, but it is a pressure rated pump, so that won't bother it too much.
Anyway, here's some photos...
The pump and filter mounted on a wall in my minute "tank room":
The plumbing on the tank side...
And a close-up of the RO Prefilter canister (without any filter element at the moment)
Hennie
Way back in 2004 when I built my current tank, I installed the plumbing for three CLS systems, with the pipes running in the sand bed. I had three Eheim 1260 pumps, one on each of the loops, but found that they became clogged with detritus (and especially bubble algae...) within a week, and then I had to close the valves and disconnect the pumps to clean them. Although Eheim pumps are fantastic quality, I was scared that the weekly dismantling % cleaning would cause problems in the long term, so after about 3 weeks I just stopped the CLS's - and they have not worked since then.
About the same time (if I remember correctly
) I also upgraded my main circulation pump from a Little Giant 4-MD-SC to a Panworld 200-PS, and the Little Giant has been on pension since then... but not any more I have just finished connecting the Little Giant to two of my old CLS loops. In the process, I have also added a single RO prefilter cannister in the intake loop. This filter will mainly be used to screen out large pieces of detritus (which could damage or block the pump), but will also be ideal for running carbon and/or PO4 remover. Cleaning the filter won't be any problem, as one only needs to close off two valves and unscrew the filter housing.
The Little Giant pump is rated at about 800 liters per hour at 0.3m head, and as it is an external, motor driven magnetic drive pump, it should add minimal heat to the system. Unfortunately I had to mount it quite a distance away from the tank (against a wall ), and the filter will also cut back a bit on flow, but it is a pressure rated pump, so that won't bother it too much.
Anyway, here's some photos...
The pump and filter mounted on a wall in my minute "tank room":
The plumbing on the tank side...
And a close-up of the RO Prefilter canister (without any filter element at the moment)
Hennie
, but you have the dates on the photos- claim copyrights
