Advice on setting up new tank

[brian10956]

I am looking into starting up my first reef tank and I have some questions which I need help on.
I am planning on getting a 48x24x24 Glass Cage tank with Saphire glass on 3 sides and euro bracing. I want some advice on the holes that need to be drilled in the 2 corner overflows (how many, size and location) they recommended their 50 gal tall (36x18x17) acrylic sump/refugium. (Is that the best solution). If I have their acrylic refugium in the 48” stand will I have room for a quality return pump (I don’t want a submersible) and what ever other necessary hardware I may need? Do you also need holes drilled for the return from the sump to the tank and were and how many should they be?
I am planning on a 48” hood with 2 MH lamps along with fluorescents and moon lights what wattage would be best I am planning to making it a true reef tank.
What type of protein skimmer would be best, remember I want all of the necessary external hardware to fit in the base of the tank as it will in a room with no basement and my wife will have a fit if I set anything up along side of it.(she doesn’t know about the quarantine tank yet).
If I missed any thing else you think I may need let me know, any tips will be welcomed.

Thank you

 

[iwishtofish]

Welcome to RC, brian10956! I am a little too new to the hobby to answer your questions as well as some of the more experienced members, but I am curious as to how many gallons your display tank is going to be. Also, what are the interior dimensions of your stand?

I've heard that acrylic custom sumps are great, but you may be able to save a lot of money by fashioning your own sump from a glass tank. Just remember that protein skimmers can be quite tall, and you will need to allow for room to remove the collection cup on top!

I spent months researching on RC and assembling equipment before I set up my 29g tank w/10g sump. My tank is now finishing cycling, and this gives me plenty of time to cruise the forums and learn, and to ask questions that I can't quickly find the answers to in existing threads.

Good luck with your project! I will be following along!

 

[brian10956]

My tank to be is 120 gallons and the stand is aprox. 48x24x30

 

[afelder]

You have a lot of questions and I will try to answer them the best I can.

I want some advice on the holes that need to be drilled in the 2 corner overflows (how many, size and location)

I would have 1 drain and 1 return line for each overflow box. The size of the holes depends on the return pump you go with. I would say a 2" drain and 1.5" return drilled at the bottom of the overflow box.
Also the number sizes and location of holes depends on what you are trying to accomplish with them.

they recommended their 50 gal tall (36x18x17) acrylic sump/refugium. (Is that the best solution)

Sure. The more water you can fit in your sump/refugium the better.

If I have their acrylic refugium in the 48” stand will I have room for a quality return pump (I don’t want a submersible) and what ever other necessary hardware I may need?

Probably. It depends on what you want for the tank. If you want a external pump only you could probably fit it. If you add an auto top off you'll need space for a reservoir. If you want to add a calcium reactor they can take a lot of extra space as well.




Do you also need holes drilled for the return from the sump to the tank and were and how many should they be?

If you want the return pump to be external then yes you will need 1 hole drilled. It should be in a location that will prevent it from running dry.

I am planning on a 48” hood with 2 MH lamps along with fluorescents and moon lights what wattage would be best I am planning to making it a true reef tank.

I can't really answer this one I don't use halides.

What type of protein skimmer would be best,

I like the Euro reef skimmers I would get a RS 135 or RS 180 for you tank.

 

[afelder]

quote:What type of protein skimmer would be best,



I like the Euro reef skimmers I would get a RS 135 or RS 180 for you tank.

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I should aslo add that this is a matter of personal taste rather than what skimmer is best. Many good skimmers exist and which one you prefer will be based on your needs as your tank grows and you learn more.

 

[jer77]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

I would go with two 3/4'' returns and two 1-1/4'' drains. So the holes should be for these sizes of bulkheads. Have one of each in the bottom of each overflow.

What are the inside dimensions of the stand? You should have enough room for the external return pump and other things you may need with the 50 gal tall.

You'd probably want to go with 250W halides, but may be able to get away with 175W 15K Iwasaki's. Are you going to build the hood yourself?

Euro-reefs are great skimmers and I'd definitely recommend one like the RS-135.

 

[brian10956]

I'm not sure what the internal measurments are of the stand I am assuming it would be slightly less than the 48x 24x30 which is the outside measurments of the case
I was thinking of getting current outer orbit 1077 ready made lights http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html . I would have know problem building a light on my own if I had some plans as I was a electrician when I was in the Navy.
I have another question on the returns . I will probable use a Durso pipe system on the drain but I quite don't understand what type of plumbing goes in the tank on the return. If you can help I appreciate a reply.
And thanks to everone who has replied so far every little bit of knowledge I get from your experience will hopefully help me from getting burnt on my tank project.

 

[afelder]

That light would probably do just fine on that tank. I actually went with a 6 bulb t-5 setup on my new tank. As far as plumbing goes I'll try and help without pictures. You take the pump return and you split it through a t. Then you run individual pipes to the return bulkheads into the tank. On each individual return line I recommend adding a ball valve to shut off flow for maintenance.

 

[brian10956]

I follow what you mean about how to connect to the returns. What is the best way to do the plumbing in the tank after the bulkhead on the return? Assume I will have 2 1" return lines. What doI connect to the return bulkhead in the internal overflow box.
thanks again for you help

 

[afelder]

I would run pvc up and out of the overflow and into the tank. Get some 3/4" locline from modularhoses.com and set up your flow the way you want. Be sure to drill a small hole 1/2" under the water line if you extend the hose into the water. That will help prevent a siphon if power dies.