New Project Advice

[Dbol]

Hello All,

I've had several reef tanks in the past 10 years and my favorite part has always been the planning and set up. That's where am am now and this is my basic plan. I'm in the process of ordering a Mr. Aqua 25 Gallon Frameless Tank (18x18x18). The link is: http://www.marinedepot.com/Mr._Aqua...Aquarium_Tank_Cube-Azoo-AZ1133-FIAQRC-vi.html. Anyway, I'm buying and overflow from Gl*******s (http://glass-holes.com/main.sc) and will either drill it for the 1500 GPH with a return on the far right and far left or a 700 GPH in each corner with 2 returns in the between the overflows. I want a lot of flow so was thinking of trying to get around 1500 GPH. I'm considering drilling 3 additional holes for a closed loop but am still contemplating that one. I'm going to build a cabinet as well and will oversize it as I'd like to get a decent sump, small refugium, and a chiller in it. A small top-off system would be nice as well but probably unrealistic. My initial questions for those more in the know more than myself are as follows:

1.) Which overflow, one 1500 or two 700's?
2.) Which size (diameter) returns?
3.) What would be a good pump (I don't mind spending some $ for quality & silence)
4.) Wave Maker setup or closed loop?
5.) Lighting Options (thinking LED's)?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[ScarletReef]

Dbol,

1.) Which overflow, one 1500 or two 700's? Iwould go with a single overflow for ease of drilling/plumbing.
2.) Which size (diameter) returns? I can't answer this one, maybe someone more experienced with plumbing?
3.) What would be a good pump (I don't mind spending some $ for quality & silence) QuietOne pumps have a good reputation.
4.) Wave Maker setup or closed loop? Wavemaker could be troublesome with a rimless, as you will have to keep the water level pretty low to keep it from spilling out, and the bottom of these tanks are tempered, so I don't know if you can do a closed loop...
5.) Lighting Options (thinking LED's)? One light that I know would fit is the 18" 150w MH+PC's at shop.aquatraders.com. It is quite inexpensive.

 

[Dbol]

Reply

Reply

ScarletReef,

Thanks much for your response. Good thinking on the wavemaker.....it could slosh the wave right over the side. I'll check out that light. Eighteen inches is kind of a problamatic size.

 

[welsher7]

In such a small tank you will have way to much water flowing through your sump. Which could/will cause micro bubbles and make a lot of noise. When people talk about flow in there tanks I would say 1/4 or even 1/5 of the flow goes through the sump. The rest is in tank circulation via powerheads, or closed loops.
I would look at one of the nano kits the gl*******s provides, I would think you would want around 200-300gph going through your sump max. Then look at vortech mp10, tunze nano pumps, or koralias for addtional flow.

 

[Dbol]

Dan,

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll re-think my flow requirements based on the feedback that I've gotten.

 

[BennyFrank]

Hello All,
I've had several reef tanks in the past 10 years and my favorite part has always been the planning and set up.

I'm at the same point in my 29gal build and I agree, the planning is half the fun. I've been in the hobby for about 5 years but this is my first build from scratch. Here's a link to my thread that addresses some of the plumbing questions you asked above. I have some very knowledgeable and experienced reef-keepers in my local club that have been awesome w/ advice. Hopefully you find something that helps. Have fun!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1778785

 

[Dbol]

Reply

Reply

Thanks much, that's a tremendous help!!

 

[Fish Ace]

Have you considered the Perfecto 25G with overflows, it look like a nice tank.

 

[Dbol]

I looked at the Perfecto but I really prefer the rimless tanks for aesthetic reasons.