Hey guys I'm going to be setting up my first big tank and only my second tank so far. I'm not really sure on what equipment is best, but my goal is to have a system that doesn't need many water changes. The tank will be 100 gallons, 60x18x23 and I'm thinking a 55 for the sump and a RO water tank next to that. The 55 will be half filled and have 3 chambers, skimmer, fuge, return. A total of around 130 gallons, what I need to know is what skimmer and other equipment will keep the water really clean so I don't have to do more that one water change a month. I will be using natural seawater and I work a lot so I won't have much time to go to the pier. Will a eheim 1260 work with this big of a setup? What size drain hole and return holes should i have drilled? Its going to br a corner overflow and I want it dead silent. Any help is appreciated! Thanks
Help on 100 gallon build please
- Thread starter MBizzo
- Start date
SGT_York
New member
Plan a coast to coast with three 1" bulkheads using the bean animal system.
Not a fan of eheim pumps built too cheap for me to buy another.
For skimmer the more $$$ the better, with exceptions, but what are you going for SPS, mixed, or softies? Big fan of reef octopus, I'd probably choose the XS200, but I'm a mixed (or confused) kind of reefer.
How clean is the water in san diego do you mind posting the parameters?
Not a fan of eheim pumps built too cheap for me to buy another.
For skimmer the more $$$ the better, with exceptions, but what are you going for SPS, mixed, or softies? Big fan of reef octopus, I'd probably choose the XS200, but I'm a mixed (or confused) kind of reefer.
How clean is the water in san diego do you mind posting the parameters?
reefermad619
New member
The water the op is referring to is the same water used by Birch aquarium in San Diego. They have a spiget by a pier that is used by UCSD (college), for the oceanography/marine biology programs. It is stored in underground tanks and is pulled from the end of the pier and run thru several sand filters. It is great water and clean. Just a little low in Ca.
origreefer
Member
That's cool. I would run that water thru a UV be for a reef tank.
Thanks for the fast response, I wish I could do the bean animal but with the space I have the tank needs to be no further than 1" from the wall. Thinking more like a Maggie muffler or durso. I have a eheim 1260 currently running on my 50 cube which is why I asked if it would be compatible with a large tank. I think it's around 600 gph, it's worked great for me so far and has been almost silent.
I'm starting to really like sps so a mix and maybe in time sps dominant. Yeah I've heard good things about reef octopus, I don't know the parameters but everyone here loves it and its free.
moondoggy4
Team RC
I never heard that eheim pumps are built cheap, first use what you have. Look into a nitrate reactor.
moondoggy4
Team RC
Most nitrate reactors can be put in the sump or out of, I have mine outside and my other will be outside as well. The biggest hurdle with a nitrate reactor is the inflow it needs to be around 30 to 50 ml/min 24/7 so you will need a good peri pump that can run 24/7 a lot cannot, once they are up and running they do not need much maintenance, just a once over once and a while.
