Multiple questions re: 60g planning

C

chimmike

oxygen abuser
So I've got a bunch of questions. I have a 30g set up now but I've got a 60g tank I'm planning out.

1) Pump size for sump. I'm thinking around 650-700gph for the return? Assume a 4.5' head. The 60g is a corner-flo with 3/4" return piping. I'll plan on spending $40-70 for the pump.

2) Lighting: I'm leaning towards T5ho's, 4x54w, however, I'm seriously concerned that 216w won't be enough for SPS and LPS in a 60g tank (a few inches taller than a standard 55), so I'm also considering MH, 150x2. Ideas? I'll be building a canopy, so whichever I go with will be housed in-canopy.

3) Skimmer: I've not used a skimmer before and it will be a first for me. I want to make sure the water clarity is excellent as this will be my marquee tank until I set up another 55g. I can't afford to spend a ton on a skimmer. I still have to research how I'll set it up.

4) Custom make refugium/sump? I'll have enough room underneath the stand to fit either a 10g w/skimmer to drain into a 20g 'fuge/sump back to tank, or have someone build a custom sump/fuge/skimmer......again, looking to do this on the cheap so I'm thinking the 10 and 20g combo is going to be my best bet, go something like this:

|drain->skimmer->|->20g|fuge->sump->display|

About right?

Thanks for all the help in advance.
 
ocean runner 2500
could try looking into a 6 bulb fixture
i hear good things about octopus dont get the skimmer til you figure out your sump/fuge

hth
 
yeah I was looking at 6 bulb fixtures but they end up being wider than my tank is....so I'm not sure how that'd work.
 
1. I would use a Mag 7 or Mag 9.5.
2. I would do a single 250w MH with 2 T5 atinics.
3. I would get an AquaC Urchin or Remora Pro. The Urchin is in-sump and the Remora is hang-on-back. Or you could get a Euro-Reef RS80.
4. The 10g and 20g combo sounds good.
 
single 250 MH sounds pretty good actually, be cheaper than going dual 150's plus the actinics to either side....makes sense.....but is the 250 going to spread enough for a 48" long tank?
 
The more I think about it, the more I'm not sure a single 250w MH would cover the 48" length of the tank....am I wrong?

Also, the mag7 vs. what rioaqua? I'm looking for efficiency here too. I hear the mags are inefficient and run hot....I'm not looking to run a chiller on a 60g tank!

Rioaqua 2100 or 2500? or Oceanrunner 2500?
 
4 x 54w T5HO is fine if you have good reflectors. I would also scale back your return a bit, you will get 600gph from a 1" drain *maximum* so you will want to aim for less than that in the return pump (unless you tee-off your return to a refugium or some such).
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12998267#post12998267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WinnipegDragon
4 x 54w T5HO is fine if you have good reflectors. I would also scale back your return a bit, you will get 600gph from a 1" drain *maximum* so you will want to aim for less than that in the return pump (unless you tee-off your return to a refugium or some such).
Click to expand...

+1. Since your planning on building a canopy, I'd go with an Icecap 4 bulb retro for lights. I do not think a single 250W would be enough for a tank this size.

And I'm a fan of moving less water through the sump, and using powerheads/ closed loop for the majority of the flow. I'd shoot for around 5x turnover through your sump.

As for the skimmer, maybe a ASM G1. I love my Euro reef rs 80 (so far). I'd hit up the selling forum here, as well as craigslist and see what you can find.

For the sump, I'd go with a single glass tank, and get some glass baffles. Seems like that'd be easier to deal with then plumbing a couple of tanks together. Maybe set it up something like this...

|Skimmer->Return<-Fuge|

You can either T off the drain to split it to each end, or run 2 drains, one to each end. Not sure what your planning there.
 
good suggestion on running just 1 tank.

My big problem is, I have a 30g set up right now, I could use that as the sump/fuge/skimmer, but i'd have nothing to put all my life into while the 30g with the 60g cycled!

I think i will end up going with the t5ho's.

I'm going to call some local glass places when I get back in town in a week and a half and see if they can custom make me a short 40g.

Would you recommend using a ball valve to regulate return flow from the sump? Or is that likely to damage the pump?

Obviously I'm concerned with head height in terms of dealing with getting a larger flow pump.....which is why I was looking at 700gph pumps.
 
Some pumps can handle the back pressure better than others if you put a valve on the return. Eheims, for instance.

You might be better off to put a tee, and return that tee to your sump with a valve there. That way there is no back pressure but you can control the flow that goes back to your display.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12998589#post12998589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chimmike
good suggestion on running just 1 tank.

My big problem is, I have a 30g set up right now, I could use that as the sump/fuge/skimmer, but i'd have nothing to put all my life into while the 30g with the 60g cycled!
Click to expand...


You could setup something temporary.

Here's what I've got until (hopefully) today when everything gets moved back into my tank.

DSC00695.jpg



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12998589#post12998589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chimmike

Would you recommend using a ball valve to regulate return flow from the sump? Or is that likely to damage the pump?
Click to expand...

Depends on the pump. I've heard that restricting the flow from some pumps can significantly increase stress, and shorten the life of the pump. Never done it myself, sorry I can't be more help. I've heard that doing it on Mag's isn't good, but I've also heard from a lot of people that do it on their Mag.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12998589#post12998589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chimmike

Obviously I'm concerned with head height in terms of dealing with getting a larger flow pump.....which is why I was looking at 700gph pumps.
Click to expand...

Head Loss Calculator
 
that head loss calculator indicates I should be looking at a mag9 in order to get as close to 600gph at the return as possible. Interesting.
 
I still don't think you need to move 600gph. You want the flow through your sump to be 3x - 5x the total water column. You should be looking for more like 400gph.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13005115#post13005115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chimmike

How about this unit for a skimmer? http://www.petguys.com/-051378081130.html
Click to expand...

Well...I don't mean to shoot down everything you post...but the SeaClone has the nickname of the SeaClown here on RC.

For a 60 gallon, depending on how much you want to spend, I'd go with...

Euro Reef rs80-I have this skimmer on my tank, and it's great. I got mine NIB 2nd hand for a good price. Definitely my personal first choice.

ASM Mini G or G1-The mini may not be big enough for 60 gallons. I think it's rated for 80 or 100, but manufacturers tend to over estimate on those ratings. The G1 would be a great skimmer, but would be a little bit of a step up in price. Again, I'd keep an eye on the RC selling forum, and craigslist to see if you can find a deal. The ASM skimmers are Euro Reef clones, but they're made with extruded acrylic instead of cell-cast acrylic, so they're a little cheaper.

Aqua C Urchin-Do some research, some people swear by their Urchin/ Remora, some people don't like them. They have a pretty good reputation though. I'd look for a Remora on ebay or used, and then either mod it to run in-sump like the Urchin, or you can hang it on the side of the sump.

Coralife Super Skimmer-Heard some good things, and some not so good things about them. The problem is I don't think the 65 would be enough of a skimmer, and when you jump up to the next size, I think there are better options for the price.

Also, I've been hearing a lot of good things about the Octopus skimmers, which might be something to look into.

Hope that helps.
 
I appreciate all the suggestions. You're not shooting down everything.

I know in the back of my mind with reefkeeping as with any hobby, like my car modding hobby "you get what you pay for". Unfortunately I kinda have a set budget to get the 60 up and running. I want to do it with a skimmer because I feel it's absolutely necessary with anything bigger than my 30, but I can't swing a phosban reactor now. I'd like to have the availability of doing so in the future.

Regardless, I'll look into those skimmers, and I'll be keeping an eye open here and craigslist for some of those models.

I'm still unclear on how it operates and runs so I'll have to research that as well and make sure I plumb it in properly. If it's a hang on sump style, that would be fine.
 
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