75 gallon setup

[Michael__87]

Alrighty ladies and gentlemen
Im not new to the hobby however i have been out of it for a while and have decided to get back into it. Im going to try a new approach and DIY a refugium sump (which i have never had before). I currently have a 75 gal and bought a 20 long the other day for the sump. The tank is not drilled yet and am planning on doing so. IM looking for opinions and advice. Plan on doing a lil bit of everything.

Been looking at the shadow overflow from synergy ..... http://synergyreef.com/product/16-shadow-overflow/
1. 16" or 20 " overflow?
2. power head size?
3. LEDS?
4. Return pump size?
5. Glass size for the sump (3 chambers: Skimmer, refugium, return)
6. Opinions and sand bed depth in refugium (and why please)
- I heard get the reef mud. should i mix sand and the mud together or just use the mud? I plan on putting algae, snails, and crabs in the sump.... anything else recommend?
7. Flow rates through return and overflow.
:beer:

 

[taumaz]

Tagged for intrest, I am also setting up a 75gal and am interested to hear the opions from some seasoned vets.

 

[Michael__87]

Its always good to listen and hear what others have done

 

[CrayolaViolence]

the 75 gallon dimensions are one of my most FAVORITE tanks. I just love, love, love the depth, length and height.

 

[flawedexistence]

Well, I just installed the Shadow Overflow in my new 75 gallon build. High quality and reasonably easy installation. I had to modify a bit of the interior plumbing (length of two of the siphon pipes) and I now have it running silently in conjunction with a Sicce 5.1 return pump. I would recommend it.

 

[Michael__87]

Well, I just installed the Shadow Overflow in my new 75 gallon build. High quality and reasonably easy installation. I had to modify a bit of the interior plumbing (length of two of the siphon pipes) and I now have it running silently in conjunction with a Sicce 5.1 return pump. I would recommend it.

Think I'm sold on it. Did you get the 20" or the 16" over flow

 

[Michael__87]

I'm really interested in hearing what measurements others have used for the baffle walls

 

[Desert Sea]

Think I'm sold on it. Did you get the 20" or the 16" over flow

If you like the Shadow Overflow, check out the overflow by Elite Aquatics. Very well made and will save you some money for other things.

http://www.elite-aquatics.net/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=44

 

[Slats]

I have the 16" Synergy Reef Shadow overflow on my 75 rimless and it is working great. Paired it with the VarioS-6 DC return pump and all is perfectly silent. 3 to 4 times turnover is a good target for your sump. If you have too much turnover through your sump your skimmer and any reactor(s) will have decreased performance.

As for power heads, I am running 2 tunze 6040's on my back wall and an mp40 running on the side wall. The amount of power heads and turnover/flow you run at will be determined by what type of corals you are keeping. For LPS/leathers probably between 20-40x and if you are doing SPS you are looking at 40+ turnover.

I did 80 lbs of reef special sand in my tank, and it turned out to be anywhere from 1.5" deep to 2" in some spots. There is a very nice tool here on reef central's home page that can help you calculate how many lbs you'll need to achieve a certain depth of sand. IMO, really no reason to do DSB unless you are doing it for like a burrowing fish such as the jawfish. Could always go bare bottom too.

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan for your sump. I don't have any experience with miracle mud, but in my center sump chamber I run a couple blocks of MarinePure, few pieces of LR and a tumbling ball of chaeto. If you are putting snails in the sump, be careful to maybe make a snail guard of some sort to keep them off the pump/air intake to your skimmer.

 

[Michael__87]

I hear it was closing to 7Xs for the turnover but I can definitely see ur point as well. How did u set ur baffle wall (I.e. Measurements). I Don't have a solid plan on how to block the snails from getting to the return but I have a few ideas on how to prevent them from getting in there.

 

[Michael__87]

Was really hoping for some more input....:headwally::headwally::deadhorse:

 

[Slats]

I hear it was closing to 7Xs for the turnover but I can definitely see ur point as well. How did u set ur baffle wall (I.e. Measurements). I Don't have a solid plan on how to block the snails from getting to the return but I have a few ideas on how to prevent them from getting in there.

I actually did no go the DIY route for my sump and bought this. This sump is most certainly overkill for my tank but I wanted to increase the overall gallons of the system as well as provide re-use potential if I ever decide to upgrade the DT. As for your sump setup, you could use the same design.

I would first pick out your skimmer, any reactor pumps, and your return pump. Once you know your width for these items, add a couple inches on either side to allow for maintenance/removal room, and that is how wide you should make your first chamber baffle. The center chamber I would try to make as big as possible for your refugium, which will be dependent on your third chamber. The third chamber, where you would want to house your return pump and ATO if you have one, should follow the same logic. Give yourself a comfortable amount of space to place your return pump inside and room for your ATO system.

EDIT:Also, take into account where you will be placing your heaters as well. I placed my heater into my chamber 3 with the return pump and have my temp probe in chamber 1.

 

[sde1500]

Was really hoping for some more input....:headwally::headwally::deadhorse:

So, a small idea. Share some of the research and thoughts you have first maybe? No offense, but there is a ton of info out there, and for the most part what you are doing here is just saying "spoon feed me what I need". What do you want in the tank? Lights don't matter for fish only, they do for corals. Same with powerheads to a degree. You'll want more than 3-4x turnover in sump, more the merrier but I'd do more like 5-10x. People could provide you a shopping cart list, to buy x,y, and z to get you a full tank. But that doesn't benefit you. Let us know what you are thinking of, and suggestions and improvement can be made.

 

[flawedexistence]

I got the 16 inch overflow.

 

[Civicman86]

Im cycling my 75 gallon right now.

Overflow: I went with the e shopps large overflow. Was a good price and came with the diamond bit for install. So far im happy with it.

Powerheads: splurged for the maxspect gyre 230 (?) So far im happy with it and upgrading to two pumps is easy and relatively cheap.

Leds: planning on reefbreeders photon v2 48". They are currently on backorder though. Also really looked at kessils. I really wanted a nice light that is also very small and aesthetically pleasing.

Return Pump: eheim 2000. From my research they are quality. Has variable speed so you can get whatever flow you want.

Sump: 20 gallon for the sump, three chamber. Would have liked to go bugger but my stand wouldnt have it. First chamber is 11" x width of sump. Will fit a reefoctopus 150 sss. Last cha.per is about 5" x width of sump.

Sand depth: no sand in my sump, didnt feel like the minimal size i could make in the sump was worth the trouble. Went with a 2" bed in the display tank.

So far.im happy with all the part i have. My best advice is to reaearch research research and find what suits what YOU want. Determine what items really matter to you ($$$) and which ones you can find deals on to save some cash.

 

[Michael__87]

I actually did no go the DIY route for my sump and bought this. This sump is most certainly overkill for my tank but I wanted to increase the overall gallons of the system as well as provide re-use potential if I ever decide to upgrade the DT. As for your sump setup, you could use the same design.

I would first pick out your skimmer, any reactor pumps, and your return pump. Once you know your width for these items, add a couple inches on either side to allow for maintenance/removal room, and that is how wide you should make your first chamber baffle. The center chamber I would try to make as big as possible for your refugium, which will be dependent on your third chamber. The third chamber, where you would want to house your return pump and ATO if you have one, should follow the same logic. Give yourself a comfortable amount of space to place your return pump inside and room for your ATO system.

EDIT:Also, take into account where you will be placing your heaters as well. I placed my heater into my chamber 3 with the return pump and have my temp probe in chamber 1.

Thats ultimitly the set up I'm looking to do, just want to hear from others what has worked for them since I have never DIY one before. And I'm not willing to spend that much that I know I can make lol. However that is a really nice set up

 

[Michael__87]

For the record I planned on going with the reef octopus 150, and two 1200 gph power heads on each side, one more on towards the top and the other favoring the bottom. Possibly two more lowing flowing ones on the back on the tank (depending on the rock set up and coral later on down the line). Also thinking about doing a wave maker later on when I'm ready and toying with that. Thinking a mag 7 for the return maybe 9.5... maybe. Not to sure on the LEDs due to them not being around last time I had my Reef tank set up. Want to go with them because I'm tired of paying the electric bill when the Halids are on lol.

 

[Michael__87]

Im cycling my 75 gallon right now.

Overflow: I went with the e shopps large overflow. Was a good price and came with the diamond bit for install. So far im happy with it.

Powerheads: splurged for the maxspect gyre 230 (?) So far im happy with it and upgrading to two pumps is easy and relatively cheap.

Leds: planning on reefbreeders photon v2 48". They are currently on backorder though. Also really looked at kessils. I really wanted a nice light that is also very small and aesthetically pleasing.

Return Pump: eheim 2000. From my research they are quality. Has variable speed so you can get whatever flow you want.

Sump: 20 gallon for the sump, three chamber. Would have liked to go bugger but my stand wouldnt have it. First chamber is 11" x width of sump. Will fit a reefoctopus 150 sss. Last cha.per is about 5" x width of sump.

Sand depth: no sand in my sump, didnt feel like the minimal size i could make in the sump was worth the trouble. Went with a 2" bed in the display tank.

So far.im happy with all the part i have. My best advice is to reaearch research research and find what suits what YOU want. Determine what items really matter to you ($$$) and which ones you can find deals on to save some cash.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about going with the "current orbit marine pro". Not sure if I want all that fancy stuff that comes with it lol

 

[leheath]

I have a 75g. I use HOB overflows and have been happy with them for many years. I have a 55g for my sump (fits really nicely in my stand). I use 4xT5s for lights. Maybe will change to LEDs one day, but pretty happy with the T5s for now. I don't do SPS so don't need halides. Cost of running the T5s is negligible.

I use a Mag 9.5 for the return. Quiet and plenty powerful. I don't do SPS as I prefer LPS and softies. I use 2 Seio M620s for in tank powerheads.

I run skimmerless so only have 2 chambers in my DIY sump - one for the return pump, heaters, and auto top off sensor and the other for a refugium. I personally don't put snails or crabs in my refugium because I don't see the point and I don't want anything to jeopardize the pod population. This also avoids the issue of snails causing trouble with the return pump or my auto top off system.

I have 2-3" sand beds in both display and huge because I like the look and I have gobies that need sand beds for ultimate happiness!

Good luck!