Please advise re remaining equipment for 400gal

[77bandit]

So, again, my tank is 10'x30"x30"(400+gallons) and viewed on both sides with 8"x15" overflows at the center of each end.
I really wanted EcoTech 40's on both sides of each overflow, but the magnet doesn't feel like it's gonna hold long term(at least when it's empty)and I really don't think I have the room for the larger 60's on the dry side.
So, I'm thinking of 4 Neptune WAV's in their place.
I'll have a large sump w/skimmer and room for topoff, reactors, other equipment on one side of the stand and a large refugium at the other end of the stand. I'll tie them together up high just so that the whole system is one in case of emergency overflow, etc.
I'll have 1.5" durso overflows in each box and I have 2 3/4" return pipes in each box(should have done 1" but too late).
I plan on LPS and softies with moderate fish load and a 1.5" sand bed and a lot of rock.
I'd like suggestions/advice for the following, please:
1.Lighting:I'm thinking 4 EcoTech XR30wG4's.
2.Powerheads(Neptune WAV's as mentioned above-2 at each end.)
3.Skimmer:I never used one on my 180 that was stocked similarly many years ago. I just had a large sump w/refugium and did infrequent water changes back then-got lucky I guess.
a. Nyos300
b. Reef Octopus models:
Regal 300 INT
DC 300 SSS
SRO 5000(or 6000)SSS
c. Simplicity 800DC
(not sure if I need it to have a controller or not)
4.Controller:Neptune was around when I left the hobby, so I'm thinking
APEX, but I've never used any controller at all.
5.Return pumps:
a. EcoTech Vectra series(1 or the new 2's)
1 L1(or M1)in the sump and one in the refugium split to the returns
2 M1's in sump and 2 in refugium
b. Neptune COR20's 1(or 2) in sump and 1(or 2) in refugium
c. ?Abyzz?(just found these)-crazy expensive-anyone with any
experience with them?
6.Calcium reactor-I have no idea; do I need one or should I just wait and see
and add it later if need be?
7.Carbon/GFO reactors-again, no idea;one, both, neither yet?

All comments are greatly appreciated

 

[untico]

Please advise re remaining equipment for 400gal

TUNZE "”
DOC SKIMMER 9430 DC
Best skimmer I've ever had. Silent and super easy to adjust and never have to mess with it again. Extremely easy to clean, just pull collection cup up and remove it, no need to turn it off.

Red Dragon 3 Speedy 230 Watt

Just replaced a Reeflo Barracuda that was great but it kept on having seals leak every other year and replacing them!!
Red Dragon is totally silent, it still throws me off as I can't tell the pump is running. Again if you want lots of flow and reliability, control and no noise this is the best. I can setup the speed and I'm able to see how much power it's using.
They have the best customer service I've seeing anywhere else. Slief- from RC
Abyzz sounded great but way too expensive.

Neptune Wav
They are great , fully controlable but you must have an Apex controller. I really like being able to setup different flows for different times of the day.
Our tank is 400 gal total water volume
96x24x30
For a System as large as your planning a controller is a must for me.
The above is Just my opinion [emoji1] and experience.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[77bandit]

thanks...that's helpful

 

[otimer]

4. Controller : check both Neptune and GHL Profilux 4
5. Return Pump : how do you connect your sump and refigium?
There will be big water level difference if you install a return in the refigium.
Vectra L1 is too big for 3/4" return pipe.
6. Calcium Reactor : Geo's reef CR624
7. GFO : Aquaforest AF110 <-- easy to replace media
GAC : I recomend a fine media bag under each of the standpipe.

 

[77bandit]

As far as connecting the sump to the refugium, I plan on using 2 1" bulkheads drilled on the sides of both with PVC connecting them. I also plan on the sump and refugium being the same dimensions with same baffles, etc.
After looking, I think the Tunze 9430 skimmer sounds like a good idea.
I also like the Red Dragon return pumps after reading reviews.
My concern is the 4 3/4" returns I have(2 at each end of the tank in the overflow boxes). It's really too late for me to change those. I'm concerned about getting a pump that has a 1-1.5" out and splitting it into 2 3/4" returns at each end. I do plan on having a return pump in the sump directly below one overflow box and another one in the sump directly below the other overflow box.
Would it be crazy to use 4 Red Dragon RD3 50's since they have 3/4" outs? Or should I use one RD3 150 in the sump and another in the refugium? Again, I'm concerned about reducing the fittings down that much, head pressure, etc.

The fine carbon bags under each drain with GFO reactor sound like good ideas too.

Thanks again

 

[slief]

As far as connecting the sump to the refugium, I plan on using 2 1" bulkheads drilled on the sides of both with PVC connecting them. I also plan on the sump and refugium being the same dimensions with same baffles, etc.
After looking, I think the Tunze 9430 skimmer sounds like a good idea.
I also like the Red Dragon return pumps after reading reviews.
My concern is the 4 3/4" returns I have(2 at each end of the tank in the overflow boxes). It's really too late for me to change those. I'm concerned about getting a pump that has a 1-1.5" out and splitting it into 2 3/4" returns at each end. I do plan on having a return pump in the sump directly below one overflow box and another one in the sump directly below the other overflow box.
Would it be crazy to use 4 Red Dragon RD3 50's since they have 3/4" outs? Or should I use one RD3 150 in the sump and another in the refugium? Again, I'm concerned about reducing the fittings down that much, head pressure, etc.

The fine carbon bags under each drain with GFO reactor sound like good ideas too.

Thanks again

I’d go with 150 or even the 230w. Use 1.25” or 1.5” from the output of the pump and PVC Wye’s to split those off and reduce down to 3/4” at the bulkheads. That way you have little if any friction loss. Or, instead of using Wye’s, you could just run 1.5” up to just below where the 3/4” returns are and create a 1.5” manifold just below where the 3/4” lines enter the tank and reduce down to a 3/4” line from the manifold for each of the returns.

 

[77bandit]

Where do you get a 1.5" to 2-3/4" manifold? I can't seem to find one.

Thanks again

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

You make you own manifold to fit your needs.

 

[moondoggy4]

How much room do you have for a skimmer? Is electricity expensive where you live?

 

[77bandit]

I can handle the electric bill. I have 14x18x30"H for skimmer.

 

[otimer]

As far as connecting the sump to the refugium, I plan on using 2 1" bulkheads drilled on the sides of both with PVC connecting them. I also plan on the sump and refugium being the same dimensions with same baffles, etc......

The pump in the refigium pumps a lot of water to the DT. Then the water level of the refigium will fall and water from the sump will flow to the refigium rhru the 2*1" PVC pipe. The flow rate will be much much smaller than that of the pump in the refigium. So in my assumption, the pump will be running dry immediatly.

 

[77bandit]

I guess I wasn't specific enough. The "boxes" that are the sump and refugium will be identical and will have identical pumps in the return and the pumps will be the same distance to the return lines. Also, the 2 "boxes"(one being sump/skimmer area and the other being sump/refugium area) will be plumbed together up high(in the return pump compartments) with 2" PVC in case of emergency.

Continued thanks for replies for equipment/other advice