56 Gallon Overkill SPS Tank

[njfish77]

Well to start off happy Easter everyone. I just recently moved and broke down my 56, only to restart it at my new house, except this time i figured bigger was better. I just got done building the stand(the stand is huge) , and my 50 lbs of marco rock just came in the mail yesterday. Im going to post pics every step of the way. Heres a list of equipment first:

56 gallon tank 30x18x24
Custom stand 36x26x40
30 breeder sump/frag tank
50lbs of Marco rock
Mag 7 return pump
MRC MR2 protein skimmer
Euro Reef rs 80 protein skimmer
Vortech MP10
250 watt pendant w/ pheonix 14k bulb
Phosban reactor
1/10 HP aquaeuro chiller

Now i know 2 protein skimmers is a bit overkill but i want to feed a lot and keep the tank clean at the same time. Anyone think i should only run one?

Will one vortech be enough for the tank?

Heres a pic of the rockwork, im not sure if ill keep it like this, tell me what you guys think.

Im starting the plumbing tonight and cutting the acrylic for the sump so ill update some pics later.

Stand (next to my holding tank)

 

[njfish77]

From the front

side shot

top down

 

[njfish77]

anyone?

 

[TriNewbie24]

I would just use one good protein skimmer. I would also run a CL if it was my tank. Looking good so far. I'm setting up my 50g Cube right now also.

Ram

 

[dancewithethan]

+1, I would rather use one good oversize skimmer than cramping two in there. one less equipment to clean and deal with.

Best

 

[OzarksReef]

That's a great start on a nice system! If you're going SPS, I'd recommend more than a single MP10 - you'll have too many dead pockets with only one pump. I've got a similar setup (CAD 50-gallon cube) and went with one MP20 and an MP10. I've been happy with the results so far. You're lighting should be good - I've got a 250 w/2 T5's over mine and the corals seem well lit across the whole reef. Good luck with your setup!

 

[ganjero]

+1 on running one skimmer. If you run 2, one will outperform the other and it'll be just a waste of electrivity. More is not always better and running 2 skimmer doest really work like running 2 filters.
For SPS one good skimmer for the size of your tank and regular water changes should do it even if you feed a lot. Dont think that 2 skimmer or an extremely oversized skimmer will reduce the water changes.
I'd also go with either a bigger vortech or 2 10's.
Good luck, nothing like a great start to be succesfull.

 

[njfish77]

Newbie whats a CL?

Ozark id love to put some t5s over the tank, i think im going to once i build a canopy.

So i think im going to just go with the MR2 skimmer, sell the euro reef, and get another mp10 also.
Another item to the equipment list is going to be an ATO

Had a little bit of a setback last night, the 30 breeder cracked a bit from pressure coming from the baffles because i cut one to big, so i siliconed it up and finished the sump.

Ill have pics of the sump and plumbing asap.

 

[njfish77]

heres a pic of the tank with the sump and skimmer

heres the plumbing from the back

a closer pick of the sump and skimmer

and a pic of my clown and dwarf eel in the holding tank, love these two

 

[ganjero]

Newbie whats a CL?

Craigslist, just kidding. CL=Closed Loop.

BTW for a 56g I would sell both skimmer and get something more energy efficient and suitable for your tank ie. MSX160 or MSX200 or the octopus extreme that is basically the same with the same model numbers. You'll be using a 30w pump instead of a 180w that you need to power the MR2.

 

[njfish77]

I would like to do a closed loop, but drilling more holes would be a PITA lol, so its out of the question. Getting a different skimmer thats possible, out of those three what would you pick?

Also, im debating on adding a fuge to this tank, any thoughts on that?

 

[ganjero]

I would like to do a closed loop, but drilling more holes would be a PITA lol, so its out of the question. Getting a different skimmer thats possible, out of those three what would you pick?

Also, im debating on adding a fuge to this tank, any thoughts on that?

I'd get the 200 from either brand in case you upgrade to a bigger size tank (which is a given for many reefers). If you want to work with what you have I feel very confident that the ER you have will handle that tank even with heavy feeding. The trick for skimmers is to find exactly at what water level they do best and keep that level constant.

 

[njfish77]

im gonna have to look into that. i hope to it fi8lled with water by the end of the week but im not going to rush things. Im hanging the light tonight. ill take pics with the halide on.

 

[njfish77]

just bought a "30 inch power compact light for the sump, if i set up a fuge ill use it for growing macro but for now it will be on a reverse schedule from my halide to keep ph stable. I also bought a pinpoint PH moniter.

 

[njfish77]

Just got done hanging the light, its an aquamedic pendant ive had for quite some time now, anyone else have this light?

side shot

Another pic of the sump. you can see the baffles better, along with the bubble trap and the probe holder.

A stand i made for the skimmer with some leftover wood.

Im going to buy new filters for my ro/di unit tommorrow and hopefully get it filled. Ill post some more pics tomorrow.

 

[TriNewbie24]

Why three holes? You could use one for a Closed-loop. What size are all the drains?

 

[njfish77]

when i had the tank drilled i messed up on the size hole for the bulkheads, i drilled 2 1-1/2 inch holes for drains and that only fits 2 3/4" bulkheads, i wanted 1" bulkhead. i wonder if the one drain will hold up with a mag 7, then i could use the other with some pvp for a closed loop.

 

[TXCrawdad]

Nice sump

 

[njfish77]

thanks, its the first one ive built that i actually like.

 

[eon]

nice build, i have the same light (slightly modded lol)