jeremyjoslin
New member
Thanks for all the insight. Your advice is well taken, and I plan to copy as many of these "lessons" as possible.
300dd Pre-Build Thread (with WTB's)
- Thread starter jeremyjoslin
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Thanks for all the insight. Your advice is well taken, and I plan to copy as many of these "lessons" as possible.
Haffs09
Member
Sounds like an exciting project!
I'm running a Hammerhead on my system, and it's supplying ~1800gph with my current design - supplying the DT and a LifeReef VS-36. Several months ago, I also had a 75gal and a LifeReef VS-24 on the same supply pump. At that time, I didn't know what my total head losses were, but I can tell you it didn't have enough power to run both skimmers. I have a Reeflo Marlin that I will experiment with in the future to see if it can run both skimmers and supply enough to the DT and 75gal. Long term, I'm going to purchase a skimmer big enough to handle my entire water volume (500gal current w/ future goals of 800gal).
To determine my actual head losses, I use a kill-a-watt meter to see my power draw and then line that up with the corresponding head loss and gpm values. I found this thread helpful (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1470703) and created my own excel file with the data. I can send that to you if interested.
Speaking from recent experience of upgrading to a larger system, (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1831347) I recommend having the capacity to perform a 20-25% water change at all times. You'll see in my thread that my current design allows me to easily change 10% of my total volume with just turning a single valve. I plan to upgrade to allow 25% in the future, because 10% just isn't enough if I'm trying to raise or lower a certain water parameter.
Do you have plans for a QT system? You'll find a 55 gal QT tank and a smaller 20 or 30 gal hospital tank very helpful as you aquire livestock.
I look forward to following along!
I'm running a Hammerhead on my system, and it's supplying ~1800gph with my current design - supplying the DT and a LifeReef VS-36. Several months ago, I also had a 75gal and a LifeReef VS-24 on the same supply pump. At that time, I didn't know what my total head losses were, but I can tell you it didn't have enough power to run both skimmers. I have a Reeflo Marlin that I will experiment with in the future to see if it can run both skimmers and supply enough to the DT and 75gal. Long term, I'm going to purchase a skimmer big enough to handle my entire water volume (500gal current w/ future goals of 800gal).
To determine my actual head losses, I use a kill-a-watt meter to see my power draw and then line that up with the corresponding head loss and gpm values. I found this thread helpful (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1470703) and created my own excel file with the data. I can send that to you if interested.
Speaking from recent experience of upgrading to a larger system, (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1831347) I recommend having the capacity to perform a 20-25% water change at all times. You'll see in my thread that my current design allows me to easily change 10% of my total volume with just turning a single valve. I plan to upgrade to allow 25% in the future, because 10% just isn't enough if I'm trying to raise or lower a certain water parameter.
Do you have plans for a QT system? You'll find a 55 gal QT tank and a smaller 20 or 30 gal hospital tank very helpful as you aquire livestock.
I look forward to following along!
jeremyjoslin
New member
* Yes, I need to engineer a water changing system, and have studied many designs on here
* Yes, I'm going to want a QT system as I've learned my lesson on this...
* Yes, let me know your experience with the Marlin. I would like to buy once and possibly over-buy instead of under-buy (had to learn that lesson several times).
* Yes, I'm going to want a QT system as I've learned my lesson on this...
* Yes, let me know your experience with the Marlin. I would like to buy once and possibly over-buy instead of under-buy (had to learn that lesson several times).
jeremyjoslin
New member
I think I'm going to need a large water storage vessel (or 2).
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
A big plus one on this. Besides helping you understand their product line, chatting on the phone can let you into the unofficial world of Reeflo. Reeflo is a marketing name targeted at reef tanks for a company called Sequence who build a huge range of small pumps. They will basically build you any pump you want for a specific situation by swapping wet ends, impellers, and motors on their standard products. If you can't find something standard you like, you can basically snag a custom pump without any upcharge compared to their regular products. Plus, their website sucks so talking to them on the phone or email is probably the best way to understand their normal products anyways.
Regarding the overflow box - don't get hung up on it. A modern reef tank has a TON of flow and there's gonna be good mixing and good surface turnover no matter what, unless you design yourself into a really bad corner. My overflow box only has ~24" of weir length and it's in a corner, and it works just fine. I actually like having the smaller box - it keeps the salt spray from water tumbling into it contained in a smaller area plus it's less visually distracting.
I am way out in the boonies but if you ever wanna stop by and see my 360, let me know. In many ways it's not exactly conventional but it can be really helpful to see other big tanks in person.
jeremyjoslin
New member
Thanks for all the great advice.
jeremyjoslin
New member
Phase I: move (complete)
Phase II: (basement) get RO unit back online and fill sump tank, get LR out of wet newspapers and garbage cans and back into the sump, get ATO system back online, decide on LED units and get them shipped so they can provide light to sump. Power skimmer with spare Mag 9.5 and provide flow.
Phase III: get refugium and frag tank hooked up and online and hang LED's. Spend some money on frags afrter cycle done.
Phase IV: remodel kitchen and floors, then drill holes for plumbing from basement up to future DT location
Phase V: order and setup tank, stand, canopy and migrate livestock upstairs out of basement fishroom
Phase II: (basement) get RO unit back online and fill sump tank, get LR out of wet newspapers and garbage cans and back into the sump, get ATO system back online, decide on LED units and get them shipped so they can provide light to sump. Power skimmer with spare Mag 9.5 and provide flow.
Phase III: get refugium and frag tank hooked up and online and hang LED's. Spend some money on frags afrter cycle done.
Phase IV: remodel kitchen and floors, then drill holes for plumbing from basement up to future DT location
Phase V: order and setup tank, stand, canopy and migrate livestock upstairs out of basement fishroom
jeremyjoslin
New member
Anyone know a local place to source thos big white, plastic containers? I guess I could go Brute but was hoping to go with something bigger.
Capt_Cully
Active member
I helped the guys at ABC get the big ones they have down in Cortland. If that's too big, there are those 55 gallon food safe buckets that can be obtained locally.
What size are you thinking Jeremy?
What size are you thinking Jeremy?
jeremyjoslin
New member
I'd love something in the 50-75 gallon range. I've seen pics of them in other posts: look like a 55 gallon drum and white.
jeremyjoslin
New member
Have a frag tank running off my sump, as well as a nano (FOWLR+Inverts). Just starting to accumulate new equipment and some livestock to stock the new DT when it's time. At some point I'll need to convert from a Pre-Build Thread to a true Build Thread.
Frogspawn by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
Montipora Digitata by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
Seriatopora hystrix by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
(I mixed together the Green Candy Apple and Pink varietals Brandon gave me and "planted" them all together. Hope this won't cause a problem. Should I separate them?
Eagle Eyes Zoas by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
Green Star Polyps by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
_MG_3207 by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
Just because I saw it in my photo library from this summer and couldn't resist...
Basement Sump by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
My basement sump (100g) with frag tank (40g) and Invert tank (20g). Obviously lots of work to spruce this up is needed.
Habla Fish by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
"Invert Tank" which is really a FOWLR+ tank. My daughter named this fish "Habla" yet she knows not a single word of Spanish (and before everyone gets all high and mighty about Americans being monoglots, be advised she speaks 3 languages at 2.5 years old).
Frogspawn by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
Montipora Digitata by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
Seriatopora hystrix by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
(I mixed together the Green Candy Apple and Pink varietals Brandon gave me and "planted" them all together. Hope this won't cause a problem. Should I separate them?
Eagle Eyes Zoas by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
Green Star Polyps by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
_MG_3207 by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
Just because I saw it in my photo library from this summer and couldn't resist...
Basement Sump by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
My basement sump (100g) with frag tank (40g) and Invert tank (20g). Obviously lots of work to spruce this up is needed.
Habla Fish by Jeremy et al, on Flickr
"Invert Tank" which is really a FOWLR+ tank. My daughter named this fish "Habla" yet she knows not a single word of Spanish (and before everyone gets all high and mighty about Americans being monoglots, be advised she speaks 3 languages at 2.5 years old).
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jeremyjoslin
New member
double post
