New SPS/LPS tank Help with Ideas Please

[XxMutedYouthxX]

hey guys I just recently purchased a 120gallon eurobraced tank drilled with one drain and one return for a closed loop. Im going to be running a 790 gph pump through the closed loop and probably a Rio 32hf for my sump return. Running 2x250watt HQI MH and 2x96 watt PC. The MH will be 14k pheonix bulbs and the pcs will be actinic. Im also going to be running a ASM G2 Skimmer and a Calcium reactor... havnt decided what brand yet. Im debating on a UV steralizer and possibly O zone. How would you guys reccomend to do my inputs on the tank? i was thinking about doing a flexline with a Y split for 2 seperate nozzles on the closed loop and a spray bar on the sump return. Not sure if Im gonna go BB or Shallow sand bed yet but im leaning more towards shallow sand bed. Any Ideas would be appreciated

 

[21Reefman]

I'm short onetime so I will be back l8r. First I would say rethink the light spectrums. I would go with 2 10k PCs for healthy coral, the blues are more for our pleasure. I have a 20k MH and 3 10k PCs on the SPS, though I wish I had an actinic only option for viewing and dusk/dawn.
I like the Y split idea as well as adding a SCWD to alternate it. If you think about the scwd before hand, the mounting poss. are many.
I like a shallow bed.
I have an ozone and think it ROCKs! I only "think" it helps but, have no real proof. I like the scientific explanation anyway.
I would lean towards a UV. I have one on the small tank and do not on the 92; I like it for the fish sake.

hope this helps, i need to go.

 

[RichConley]

The Phoenix 14Ks hes talking about put out almost as much Par as most 10ks, more than a lot of them.

The 2x250 Phoenix, and PC actinics should be some really nice looking lights. Plenty of Blue, plenty of violet, and plenty of PAR.

UV is a waste of money as far as I'm concerned. I like ozone though.

the 32HF for a return is a waste of money. Why do you need 2000 gph between your sump and tank? Its going to cost you $18 a month to run that pump alone, and its going to be loud.

Much smaller return pump, and a pair of tunzes would be better. Even switching what you have now and using the smaller pump as a return and the HF as a CL would be better.

 

[h20cooled]

Yeah the Phoenix 14ks are awesome bulbs great Par and color, and their cheap too.

I agree with the small return pump. I would also reccomend something besides a Rio pump, they have a very high failure rate (atleast the 3 that I have had did).

For your closed loop go for a good external pressure rated pump, you will have lots of flow and options with it.

Rich

 

[RichConley]

I'm not big on Pressure rated CL pumps unless you're gonna run eductors. Just seems like a waste of energy to me. If you're gonna run eductors, then GREAT.

 

[carpus]

I agree. UV is kinda a waste of money. I run ozone and you can tell the difference

clearer water, better polyp extensions

2x250 phoneix is good. PC actinics.... get the 7500 K is you want to go for actinics. they are ALOT bluer than the normal actinics and supposedly they help coral photosynthesize

you dont need a big pump for the return, save some money and spend them on like seios or something

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7465268#post7465268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by h20cooled
Yeah the Phoenix 14ks are awesome bulbs great Par and color, and their cheap too.

I was looking on Sanjay's site, with the Phoenixs, and Radiums at 250w, on both Eballasts, and 250HQIs, and I am utterly convinced that they are the same bulb. Look at the spectral charts...

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7465293#post7465293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carpus

2x250 phoneix is good. PC actinics.... get the 7500 K is you want to go for actinics. they are ALOT bluer than the normal actinics and supposedly they help coral photosynthesize

You dont need blue with the phoenixs though, they already have tons of blue. They dont have very much purple though, so you want to run actinics, or 10ks (both of which have lots of purple)

 

[MiddletonMark]

Personally, I'd replace the PC's with VHO actinic. I know I prefer the change, was glad I changed those over.

 

[XxMutedYouthxX]

the PCs are built into the hood im getting... if it was retro fit i woulda went with MH and T5 or VHO... the pump im using for the closed loop is the Turbo Sea 790... Do you guys think with a smaller return I will have enough turn over per hour? as far as the squid goes i dont think it will work... its only got one drain and one return so the y split would be inside the tank on the flexline not in back. I may be able to hook one up on the sump return but then again It will be resricting flow. What pump would you guys recommend for my sump return?

 

[21Reefman]

scwd can be mounted in tank, in water, not that I'm pushing it, just fyi.

 

[XxMutedYouthxX]

hmmm... ill have to think about it more... I had one on my old tank and I loved it... just gotta see how much flow im gonna have and all that first

 

[XxMutedYouthxX]

Bump

 

[21Reefman]

I don't have a brand, I would go with 700-900gph for the return, keep in mind the distance UP to the tank for accurate pump flow ratings. In the beginning your flow will seem overpowering, then as the tank grows in the flow might seem weak from the same pump. You can always switch later.