55” x 19” x 19” begins!

[Josh24]

55” x 19” x 19” begins!

Well the planning anyway. I have sat down and thought through the process of how I want the tank to perform and look. The tank will be created to provide healthy homes for mainly LPS corals but still be able to host a small sampling of SPS.

Below I have provided a detailed tank graphic & the equipment I expect to use. Many of the pieces I have selected due to the energy efficiency.



Please feel free to comment on my equipment selections, as I would definitely like your feedback! I really only want to do this once, please help me make sure I do it right the first time.

Tank: 86 gallons - 55” x 19” x 19” – (located on main floor)
1 – 2” return to sump
1 – 2” return to closed loop pump
1 – 1 ½ ” from sump to tank
4 – ¾” from closed loop to tank
Sump: 50 gallon tank – (located in basement)
Pump (return): Sequence Reef-Flo External Water Pump - Dart (3600GPH)
After 10 ft. climb to main floor 2107 GPH
Does anyone know how many watts these things burn an hour?
Pump ( loop): Sequence Reef-Flo External Water Pump - Dart (3600GPH)
After 6 ft. climb & 4 exits 920 GPH
Heater: Ebo-Jagar 250 watt heater in sump
Lighting: Still a question mark? Either of these two
60” Hamilton Technology Deluxe MH Fixture
2 – 250 20,000 Bulbs & 2 x 96 watt PC.
OR
T5 – watts & number TBD – suggestions required
Skimmer: Suggestions required
Fish: Yellow Tang, Hippo Tang, Royal Gramma, Percula Clowns x 2, Orchid
Dottyback, Purple Firefish x 2 & Scooter Blenny = Total of 9 fish
Corals: Hammer Corals, Frogspawn, Zoos, Red Brain, Plate Coral, Candy Cane, Bubble Coral, Acropora, Devils Hand & Leathers.

Summary: Please feel free to provide feedback on equipment and more importantly the way I have setup plumbing & flow lines. All and any feedback is appreciated. I will update as I make purchases and setup the tank.

Thanks again

[Josh24]

Bump.
Just looking for some feedback from those more experienced then I.

Thanks

[Johnny Reefer]

I'm no expert, but one thing that jumps out to me is your sump feed and return are right next to each other. Personally, I would provide some separation of those so as to avoid the sump return water being taken in by the sump feed line before it gets a chance to circulate in the display tank. JMO.

Skimmer: Euro Reef. At least a RS 100 but a RS 135 would rock.

Cheers,

[Josh24]

Thanks Mark ill check out the skimmers you recomended & make some modifications to the plumbing as you mentioned.

Do you think the pumps I have outlined will provide enough flow given the size of plumbing and locations?

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Josh24

Do you think the pumps I have outlined will provide enough flow given the size of plumbing and locations?

Well the total flow of 3,027 GPH seems adequate. That'd give you ~35x turnover per hour. The positioning looks good to me otherwise, but again, I'm no expert and have no experience with closed loops or external water pumps. Maybe some else can chime in on that. (I use a big honkin' powerhead for my sump return).

The only other thing that comes to mind is to make sure your linear overflow length is adequate to handle the 2,107 GPH sump return. There is a calculator for this on Reef Central...if your not already familiar with it.

Cheers,

[Josh24]

Thanks Mark.

I don't intend to use a traditional over flow but rather 2 - 2" 90 degree PVC pipes. 1 will feed the sump the other will feed the closed loop. Does anyone see this as being a problem?

This is what Reef Central calculator provided for the Sump Return
Using the following input parameters
Gallons per Hour = 2100

Drain and Overflow sizes are calculated as
Recommended minimum drain pipe diameter = 1.89 inches
Recommended minimum linear overflow size = 32 inches

This is what the Reef Central calculator provided for the Closed Loop Return
Using the following input parameters
Gallons per Hour = 920

Drain and Overflow sizes are calculated as
Recommended minimum drain pipe diameter = 1.25 inches
Recommended minimum linear overflow size = 14 inches

This seems werid as Im using the same type of pump for both the closed loop & the sump return and the GPH is extremely different. Can anyone explain why that is?

[mark]

Just saying you don't need a huge flow through your sump if you plan the majority of the your displays flow from your CL. Your return pump can be smaller saving cost, power and reduced noise.

Not sure the proper way to figure CL flow from the RC calculator. Guessing probably something to do with area of outlets (4-3/4" outlets is about the same as 1-1.5") but if you have a CL you have zero vertical head. Suggest a post there (RC).

Might also find some help here, at the very least, lot of pictures.
http://www.oceansmotions.com/forum/

[mark]

Some info on pumps for your sump return: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume...rnal_Pumps.htm
and more links at bottom of article.

Not to steer you away from CL but have you thought about something like Tunze Streams?

[Josh24]

Thanks Mark,

I have thought about Tunze Streams but would prefer to keep the display tank as equipment free as possible.

What kind of flow should I be considering for the sump - return to tank. Is 1000 GPH to much?

[niloc16]

i'm not raining on your parade but i felt the exact same in planning my tank, i did not want equipment in the display tank so i went with a barracuda for a CL. the tank has been running for a month and i just ordered 2 tunzes 6100 and bought 2 wavy seas to mount them because the CL is so loud and annoying you cant enjoy the tank so i'm getting rid of the CL. it would have saved me time, money and a lot work to have just gone with tunze setup. but i'm not saying a CL is bad, maybe it will be good for you. just my thought