75 gal setup

[nataz]

I'm putting together a 75 gal AGA w/built in overflows reef tank.
I am looking for some advise on my setup.

lights ---- icecap 660 w/ 4 VHO'S around 400watts.

skimmer --- excaliber hang on back up to 160 gals.

refuge 20gal long dumping into a sump..

I need info on ??????? ---------------------------------------------------
---> I am thinking about using both pre-drilled holes in tank as drains and use a mag drive 18 to feed a squid which im hoping will give me a wave affect. If need be I have 3 aqua clear powerheads for extra water movement I could use also.

mag drive 18 at 6' puts out 1150 and squid claims it that-- The SCWD will run on any pump with a minimum output of 50 GPH and a maximum output of 1400.

Any advise or feed back would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[RoGeTa]

I don't think you want that much water running through your sump. I had a Mag 9.5 on a 20 long with baffles, and I still had bubbles. On larger tanks, sump return just doesn't seem to be a good place to get water moving in the display. At least in my experience.

 

[nataz]

maybe drop down to a mag 7 ?

 

[RoGeTa]

I think that would work fine. I'm pretty sure that is what I have on there right now. It isn't a lot of flow, but I also don't have bubles, and that makes me very happy lol.

 

[Craig Lambert]

Mag 5 would even be enough for your return. I would also get a different skimmer. I know the skimmer is rated for 160G, but it is no where near cabable of anything remotely close to that. You have a sump, so go with an in-sump skimmer and forget the HOB.

 

[plyle02]

nataz,
What type of reef are you looking for? If SPS, you will need lots of flow... I have a very similair setup. I have a 20 gallon sump, a 20 gallon refugium, and a 75 gallon main tank. I use the standard 3 chambered sump, so here is how I have it set up. 75 gallon corner over flow, delivers to my sump in first chamber where I have a Euro Reef skimmer(in sump). In my second chamber, I have a mag 7 which has a custom pvc dual delivery up 4 feet to my 20 gallon refugium. I have an external overflow on the refugium, which delivers to the 3rd chamber of my sump, where I have a mag 9.5 returning to the 75 gallon main tank. I also have a seio 1500 in my main tank, 2 penguin 1140(350gph) and a maxijet 1200. A total of aproximately 3500 gph total turnover in main tank. I have a mixed reef, mostly SPS, and am still contemplating more flow. I agree w/ Craig Lambert about the hang on skimmer. Utilize your sump, and add a powerful skimmer like a Euro Reef for ex. Your lighting should be good for any type reef, for the most part, depending on coral placement. Good luck, sounds like you have a good game plan.....
Perry