clintrandall
New member
I would like your input on a few things as I prep my 75 gallon acrylic to replace my 50 gallon glass. This is a little long, but this is also the 4th time I've switched tanks in the past couple years and I'd really like to set it up right this time and leave it be. I'll start with what I'm doing and what is outside of my budget so that you know the framework I'm working within.
It is a 75 gallon long with an overflow chamber across the entire length of the tank.
OVERFLOW: There are overflow teeth on one end, but I'd like to cut teeth into the other end as well to assure that the surface doesn't build up nutrients on the far other end.
I'm planning on doing 3 drains with stand pipes. One will go to the fuge with a valve to control flow as I want it, one will go to the skimmer sump (which the fuge will overflow into) so I can somewhat control that, and one will go to the return sump so I can up the overall overflow rate as I need. I will have a single return pump split into two returns at each end of the tank.
PLUMBING: I'm planning on a ball valve on all 3 drains and both return lines. I think I'll do the valves with union joints on the ends so that I can shut off the valve and remove the plumbing if needed.
COOLING: I'm not doing a chiller because I don't have the space and I don't want to rely on one. I also needed the money by selling my 1/4 hp. I'm planning on hooking up two fans in the canopy and two fans in the stand (to keep humidity down). Can someone post some easy to follow instructions for a clean way to wire some of those computer fans? I tried it and ended up frying my fans.
FLOW: I'm going to rely on two returns and two Seio 1500's. My 120 got so hot from having 6 pumps in addition to the return and skimmer pumps so I'm keeping it down.
QUESTIONS:
1) I always run into the issue of how to return water without splashing noises. Is there a recommended way to return water without it gushing from PVC right into the sump?
2) As I said about cooling, I'd like some specific instructions for setting up some computer fans.
3) Regarding the overflow, is it best to have it overflow from one side or should I do both? Should I put teeth all along the back?
4) Regarding the refugium, I've had one with a couple inches of sand and a floating clump of chaeto. I have a standard Home Depot 6500 k flourescent light over it. I've never really noticed a lot of growth in the algae and I've always had trouble determining the best flow through the fuge. What do you recommend?
5) On my last tank, I did the foam back wall. It looked cool at first, but after a while it started to separate from the glass and I had problems with insane hair algae growth on it. I eventually removed it and saw there was a ton of algae on the back. I just found it a nightmare to keep clean once it got dirty. Anyone else experience this?
That's it for now. I'm currently using an ASM G-1x, which I'd love to upgrade to an ASM G-2 if someone wants to work out a trade/sale.
Thanks in advance for any input! I'm looking to do this well, but unfortunately I cannot afford to add calcium reactors, UV, phosban reactors, etc.
Peace!
Clint
It is a 75 gallon long with an overflow chamber across the entire length of the tank.
OVERFLOW: There are overflow teeth on one end, but I'd like to cut teeth into the other end as well to assure that the surface doesn't build up nutrients on the far other end.
I'm planning on doing 3 drains with stand pipes. One will go to the fuge with a valve to control flow as I want it, one will go to the skimmer sump (which the fuge will overflow into) so I can somewhat control that, and one will go to the return sump so I can up the overall overflow rate as I need. I will have a single return pump split into two returns at each end of the tank.
PLUMBING: I'm planning on a ball valve on all 3 drains and both return lines. I think I'll do the valves with union joints on the ends so that I can shut off the valve and remove the plumbing if needed.
COOLING: I'm not doing a chiller because I don't have the space and I don't want to rely on one. I also needed the money by selling my 1/4 hp. I'm planning on hooking up two fans in the canopy and two fans in the stand (to keep humidity down). Can someone post some easy to follow instructions for a clean way to wire some of those computer fans? I tried it and ended up frying my fans.
FLOW: I'm going to rely on two returns and two Seio 1500's. My 120 got so hot from having 6 pumps in addition to the return and skimmer pumps so I'm keeping it down.
QUESTIONS:
1) I always run into the issue of how to return water without splashing noises. Is there a recommended way to return water without it gushing from PVC right into the sump?
2) As I said about cooling, I'd like some specific instructions for setting up some computer fans.
3) Regarding the overflow, is it best to have it overflow from one side or should I do both? Should I put teeth all along the back?
4) Regarding the refugium, I've had one with a couple inches of sand and a floating clump of chaeto. I have a standard Home Depot 6500 k flourescent light over it. I've never really noticed a lot of growth in the algae and I've always had trouble determining the best flow through the fuge. What do you recommend?
5) On my last tank, I did the foam back wall. It looked cool at first, but after a while it started to separate from the glass and I had problems with insane hair algae growth on it. I eventually removed it and saw there was a ton of algae on the back. I just found it a nightmare to keep clean once it got dirty. Anyone else experience this?
That's it for now. I'm currently using an ASM G-1x, which I'd love to upgrade to an ASM G-2 if someone wants to work out a trade/sale.
Thanks in advance for any input! I'm looking to do this well, but unfortunately I cannot afford to add calcium reactors, UV, phosban reactors, etc.
Peace!
Clint
