120 gallon filtration

[jwhitlow1031]

planning on reef tank around 120-130 gallons with double overflow. i have a 55 gallon freshwater tank that i'm planning on cleaning out and using for the overflow. one side would have the intake with a crude filter, that would flow into a refugium and then over to the protein skimmer. from there it would pump back into the tank. there would also be a canister filter attached to the sump that would be full of mainly carbon. What do u think of this setup?

 

[szwab]

you should only need about a cups worth of carbon and change it out monthly.

don't use a "crud filter" unless you plan on cleaning it weekly or even more frequently

depending on the type of skimmer it would be ideal to have the direct overflow water go to the skimmer.

you will also more than likeley need some baffles in the sump to help allow air to escape before going through the return pump.

55 should be a good size to prevent overflow of the sump in the case of a power outage.

 

[jwhitlow1031]

hmm, cool... hey, if u have an email i have a general design i could send you if you wouldn't mind, that would be great... i tried to figure out a way to make it into an image so that i could upload it but i created it on word and i can't figure out a way to get it to convert.... i guess i could print it, take a picture and then upload that...

 

[Konadog]

If you can't have your overflow feed your skimmer directly, make a chamber that your skimmer sits in and feed your overflow water to that chamber first. Second, go to the refugium, and lastly the return chamber. Be sure that the return chamber is large enough to handle your evaporation needs and still be able to run without going dry.

 

[jwhitlow1031]

mmk, thanks for the info, the tank is just a plain 55 gallon tank. I'm going to buy plexi-glass or something and seal it into the tank so I'd be able to set the chambers up in any order i want. As far as lighting goes for this tank im not exactly sure what type of tank i would get, either a 24 X 48" 120g Tall or a 18 x 72" 125g Long, if i did the 120 g tall i would go with 2 250w HQI's plus a few T5's or if i got the 125 tall i would go with 3 175w HQI's and 4 T5's. While im talking lights could someone give me a quick bit of info on the difference between MH's and HQI's? Thanks

 

[Konadog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7292523#post7292523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jwhitlow1031
...While im talking lights could someone give me a quick bit of info on the difference between MH's and HQI's? Thanks

Here's some good reading on lights and ballasts:

Metal Halide-Bulb and Ballast FAQ Info Here!

 

[jwhitlow1031]

thanks for the info, that kinda sums things up doesn't it...lol, but in general do you think the lights i specified above would be sufficient for the tank type?

 

[szwab]

epends on what you plan to keep in the tank. I will pm you my email

 

[jwhitlow1031]

Thanks Carl, sent you an email