Reef Aquarium Forum

I haven't set up a new tank in a while and I know thechnology has changed alot recently in the hobby. So I need lots of advice.

The tank is 4' long and I think 18" wide by 20" tall but not 100% sure on the w and h.

So I am setting up my 75g reef tank that will be mostly clam dominated. So far I have the All Glass Aquariums tank, a tek 6 bulb T5 fixture, carbon filter and phosban 150 reactor. I just ordered my75gpd RO/DI so it should be on it's way shortly.

I am having a 29g refugium / sump built that I will use a overflow box to feed it with.

I need suggestions on the following items what to use and also where to buy:

overflow box + size suggestions

return pump, quiet and cool running are major factors to me.

heater

skimmer, I like hang on's for this. I have used the aqua c remora pro with the mag 5 pump and have had good results in the past. but have heard very mixed results on them.

I wish to put a pump inside the tank with plumbing run throughout the rockwork for flow. Once again quiet and cool running a must and I also am open to gph recommendations.

digital thermomoter

sand, I am thinking crushed coral due to its releasing calcium. It's not as appealing as sand but hey it usually gets covered in coraline in a short time anyhow. I have used it in the past and have been able to have calcium levels over 500ppm without adding anything. I have alot of clams so calcium is a must, I may be all wet on my theory on the crushed coral what is your opinions?

Also bulb configuration for the t5 fixture.

fans

I was also thinking of using two koralia #2's in the tank for more circulation?

As I stated above I am looking for suggestions of where the best places to buy these items are too.

thanks,
Chris

skinz78 wrote:
I need suggestions on the following items what to use and also where to buy:

overflow box + size suggestions

a lot of people like the new continuous over flow box's http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... &catid=993 because the use a small vacuum pump to make sure the siphon never breaks but i used the regular U tube type for many years on my fresh water tank without problems. i think a 300gph one should be plenty but you can always go bigger.

return pump, quiet and cool running are major factors to me.

if this is the only source of flow in the tank then i would go larger then this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... &catid=993 or if you want external i would use something like this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... &catid=993

heater

i have the worst luck with heaters. the ones that have lasted the longest for me have been these http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... &catid=911 i would get two of them

skimmer, I like hang one's for this. I have used the aqua c remora pro with the mag 5 pump and have had good results in the past. but have heard very mixed results on them.

there aren't many good hob skimmers. if you like the aqua c then go for it. the only other one i would recommend would be this one http://www.deltecusa.us/proteinskimmers/mc500.php but its pricey

I wish to put a pump inside the tank with plumbing run throughout the rockwork for flow. Once again quiet and cool running a must and I also am open to gph recommendations.

take a look at this one http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... &catid=993 go for the 6500

digital thermomoter

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... &catid=911

sand, I am thinking crushed coral due to its releasing calcium. It's not as appealing as sand but hey it usually gets covered in coraline in a short time anyhow. I have used it in the past and have been able to have calcium levels over 500ppm without adding anything. I have alot of clams so calcium is a must, I may be all wet on my theory on the crushed coral what is your opinions?

i think your all wet every time ive used it (CC) its turned to one solid rock. i would use the finest sand grain you can fine

Also bulb configuration for the t5 fixture.

i dont have any experience with T-5 lights, but i would use a mix of spectrum's

fans

i would wait and see if you need them

I was also thinking of using two koralia #2's in the tank for more circulation?

if you do i would use the #4's. #2's are too small IMO for a 4' tank

As I stated above I am looking for suggestions of where the best places to buy these items are too.

all the links to Dr F&S were for ease of finding this stuff. i would compare price's at MD, Premium Aquatics, and Custom Aquatics

Wow thanks Chris, I posted this same thread over at RC and had very limited responses.

I think I will probably go with the aqua c again, it's cheaper and seems to do the job for me.

Do you think with the ocean runner pump in the tank I would need the koralia pumps? 1700 gph seems like a lot of flow to me?

Also what about a Red Sea Berlin skimmer are they any good?

skinz78 wrote:Do you think with the ocean runner pump in the tank I would need the koralia pumps? 1700 gph seems like a lot of flow to me?

Also what about a Red Sea Berlin skimmer are they any good?

with just the ocean runner thats about 22x turnover. you could probably get a way with that. if its not enough for you you can always add another power head later.


i would avoid Berlin skimmers, ive used them in the past and they just dont work well.

Thanks Chris, I did some searching on the berlin and came up with they are no good. So that idea has been scratched anyhow.

how much room do you have in your sump and how much money are you willing to spend on a skimmer? you should really consider an in-sump skimmer, you have a lot more choices and they work a lot better then HOB types.

I am not sure yet on how much room I will have, the sump is still being built. So I could probably have it changed to fit one. I don't want to spend alot, maybe $300

find out the dimensions of the sump and the compartments but in the mean time look at these.

http://www.aquacave.com/octopus-nw-200- ... r-496.html

http://www.aquacave.com/ps-250-needle-w ... -2059.html

Hey Skinz, on top of our discussions, i would agree with chris&barb that stay away the red sea. lol i used the primz and personally hate the red sea products. (don't know why i bought lots of their products when i 1st started the hobby)

I also would agree with the Octopus NW200 but you have to mod it like what Luke's advise, otherwise it is not that good too.

i think the only thing i missed is your return pump, i have both OR6500 and 1262. I personally would pick the 1262 any day because it is very quiet and it seems very reliable.

HTH

LOL thanks Adrian, I actually just purchased the 1262 and the OR6500. I figure the 1262 for the return pump and the 6500 for a sort of in tank closed loop system. I am going to start plumbing it tomorrow. I also have one of the cpr overflows coming.

we need photos of this don't hold out on us skinz

Hey I am the guy who always pesters for pic's, whats up with that?

Anyways I am waiting for UPS to get the goods here, I'm gonna do some premature plumbing.

skinz78 wrote:LOL thanks Adrian, I actually just purchased the 1262 and the OR6500. I figure the 1262 for the return pump and the 6500 for a sort of in tank closed loop system. I am going to start plumbing it tomorrow. I also have one of the cpr overflows coming.

Yeah, sounds like a good plan skinz. like i said before, just get those locline for your CL outlet so you can adjust angle of the flow. i would also put a ball valve on each CL pipe so i can choose which one is stronger or shut it down.

HTH

I am actually printing my rodi installation instructions now, it came today. Damaged in shipping of course