Getting ready for my new tank and fuge. A starphire 120 with dual external back corner overflows, and a 80gal sump/fuge. I'm so pumped! Speaking of pumped, I'm trying to decide on what to use as a return pump, and whether or not to use a wave maker/powerheads. The dimensions of the main display tank are 48x24x24. So lets hear from the experianced... big return pump and a wavemaker? or... you tell me. For the time being I'll be keeping mainly softies, lps and a few fish. The sump is 45Lx20x20. Primary drain and skimmer in first compartment. Refugium is second compartment. Third compartment will hold extra mechanical filteration and secondary drain. Return pump will be in sump after the secondary drain and filteration. The secondary drain will be used for eliminating excessive flow in the refugium. Both drains will be 1 1/2".
120g Starphire!
- Thread starter crystalz
- Start date
Craig Lambert
Premium Member
That will be a great tank! As for the return pump, don't plan to get your flow from it. With a 120G tank I would look at a pump that returns 360-500gph, and no more. You only want 3-5X turnover through your sump. This will allow your skimmer to work more efficiently, prevent microbubbles from returning to the display, and your system will operate alot quieter. For increased flow consider an additional pump for a "closed loop" or Tunze Stream ph's....or both.
