Building a successful SPS reef tank

[m0nkie]

Alright good deal I like the looks of the ATI fixture and reviews I have read. I think I will do 6 bulb though and not use any actinic on it and run it 6 hours and do the 4 ocean blue 150s.

Now the question is gyres or vortechs??

I have the new quieter Gyre and the new quiet drive vortech for my 150. imo it will take a lot more vortech to get 1 gyre's power. However, the Gyre broke on me once already. So you need a spare pump handy. run both would be ideal to save some money

 

[phenom5]

Also return pump. Mag 18 is too noisey and draws too much power. What do you think about Fluval sp4 or maybe the reef octopus 5500 if I go dc pump? I want to feed a manifold, refugium, and the two DT returns off it

Is the sump going to be in the basement? If not, IMO those pumps are way to big, even with the manifold plumbed in.

I have the new quieter Gyre and the new quiet drive vortech for my 150. imo it will take a lot more vortech to get 1 gyre's power. However, the Gyre broke on me once already. So you need a spare pump handy. run both would be ideal to save some money

Sorry to hijack, but this info may be useful to Ryan as well. How is the noise of the Vortech QD? I am looking to get two of the MP40QDs, but noise is a big factor. I got rid of my old MP40s because of the noise.

 

[Ryan15236]

Well the reef octopus is controllable so I could adjust it. What gph range would you be looking for. Sump is in the stand under tank.

Noise is definitely a factor. I tore down my last set up because the noise really annoyed me. But I did have some dated equipment and overflows were a lot louder.

So let's compare gyre 130 and vortech mp40QD. The 150 won't fit in my tank without being placed vertically. How do they compared as far as flow, power consumption, noise, programmability, reliability, etc?

 

[m0nkie]

Gyre Reliability: 7... hit or miss. some units are fine, some units have minor issues. but the company will help you with it.. maintenance is pita because parts are easily broken. You squeeze the propeller too hard it's gone..

Noise: old gyre with old mount was loud >50%. With their new mount, I can ramp up to 80% without much noise. Much quieter than regular Vortech.

Programmable: no. the controller is basic. APEX link coming soon for $100.

Flow: One 150 is enough to push my 150 gallon. The MP40QD was just for random reverse flow.

QD Vortech: Reliability: 10 no issues

Noise: quiet until you put your ears onto the machine itself. It is definitely one of the quietest machines in the tank. ~same noise level as Gyre with new mount.

Program: same with previous generations..

Flow: 1/3 of Gyre

 

[Ryan15236]

Great info, really appreciate it. This is a tough one. Gyre more flow and cheaper. Vortech is vortech its great stuff. I am still up in the air about this one. Probably come down to what deal I can find or maybe any further improvements especially on the Gyre.

Anyone have a return pump recommendation or atleast a GPH range?

 

[phenom5]

Well the reef octopus is controllable so I could adjust it. What gph range would you be looking for. Sump is in the stand under tank.

I would shoot for 3-5x turnover through your sump. FWIW, I have about 700gph after head loss, and I am running a pair of dosing pumps off that.

Thanks for the info m0nkie. I will definitely be going with some Vortech QDs, once I can convince the wife that I need to drop 700 bucks on another set of pumps.

 

[Ryan15236]

I would shoot for 3-5x turnover through your sump. FWIW, I have about 700gph after head loss, and I am running a pair of dosing pumps off that.

Thanks for the info m0nkie. I will definitely be going with some Vortech QDs, once I can convince the wife that I need to drop 700 bucks on another set of pumps.

Hmm I may go eheim 1262 or Fluval sp2 then.

Also noticed you run the ATI sunpower over your tank. Are you pretty happy with the fixture and are you getting pretty good growth?

 

[phenom5]

I think the 1262 is a really good choice. A little pricey, but solid, quiet, and good flow.

Love the ATI, switched from 3 hydra 52s. My growth is a little stagnant right now, but I don't think it has anything to do with the light.