New build questions!

[robs.mark]

Hey Everybody, I first started putting my first eventual reef setup together earlier in the year, my fiance and I are looking to buy our first home soon and Id really like it complete for when we find one! When i started i was intending to build a 100 gallon tank, though over the past few months have decided to build a system with a tank/sump combo of about 35 gallon, the main tank measuring L15" w15" and h30". I have already bought a pair of 150w metal halides, a Red Sea Berlin protein skimmer, and a pair of sun sun 400lph powerheads. Do you think i could still use one of the halides, the skimmer, and the powerhead(s)? Bearing the depth of the tank, would you recommend getting a brighter/blue bulb? and how smaller sump do you think i could get away with? I could also use some help on pumps? how many and which size? is there anything else i need to know? I appreciate your help.

Mark

 

[Michael]

are you saying your tank is 15 inches long and 15 inches wide by 30 inches deep, if so how many gallons is that then,just asking cause it seems pretty small and im thinking about what flow can go in there,

 

[an411]

You could use one of the halides you may have to hang it a little bit higher. The sump you should get the biggest that the space while allow. The more water volume the better. Pump you only need a return pump. I would recommend mag if you are looking to shave costs. I currently run a eheim and I am going to be setting up another tank and I think that i am going with the ocean runner pump this time and give it a whirl.

 

[an411]

Michael that would be a 30 gallon

 

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13295255#post13295255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by an411
Michael that would be a 30 gallon

oh-right really, i suppose the height makes it that size then,

 

[robs.mark]

Hey guys, yeah its about a 30 gallon tank, im slightly limited for space, so the sumps probably going to be around 10 gallons. What bulb would you use in the halide? Cost isn't that big a deal, id rather buy better quality to build it right first time. Do i need a second pump for the skimmer? I have to say the pump setup is confusing me slightly! Also I live in Western Australia so it gets quite warm in the summer, do you think it would be worth investing in a chiller to use during those real hot months? Thanks

Mark

 

[robs.mark]

I just got very lucky! a car just pulled out of a junction on me whilst on my scooter with my fiance on the back. Hit it at 50kph any be both walked away with minor cuts and bruises, bike was totaled.. Not very nice at all :-(

 

[gogregerson]

If this is to be a reef tank, which I'm assumeing by the use of halides, I really would suggest a shorter tank. Tall narrow tanks don't give you much room to auqascape and very little coral mounting space exposed to direct light. You'd be much better off with a 30" wide tank that is only 15" tall then the other way around.

 

[robs.mark]

Im planning on running my over-flow in the centre of the tank and hiding it in a tower. space is kind of an issue, and i have a think for deep tanks. Ive played with a few dimensions and made a couple of mock tanks out of cardboard, 15" seems small but when you see it in reality with the height its really quite surprising.. D you think i would have trouble with growth at that depth using just one mh?