proper equipment

[Kyle954]

Hey everybody I am in the planning/purchasing stage of my 180g build and looking for some advice! I want to know if what my intended equipment is good or bad

The tank is a 180g aqueon dual back overflow which I already have purchased and a stand. I plan on keeping it the standard 2 drain/ 2 return pipes

I plan on doing
-3x rapid led onyx dimmable fixtures 80* lense
-bluefish controller
-custom acrylic refugium with 2/3 separate compartments with rock/sand/few mangroves
-jebao dc12000 return pump
-not sure what skimmer yet
-2x mp40's

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! :thumbsup:

 

[hobbzz]

If you're going with a jebao product for something as important as a return pump, make sure you can get some kind of replacement immediately. Maybe even have a backup on hand, like a used mag.

 

[foxrazr]

You can check my thread as I have the same tank and stand:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2444887

Make sure your stand has cross bracing in the bottom. Mine did not and the plywood bowed like a canoe leaving my sump supported only with 2 edges. I am currently in the process of removing the overflows and installing something different.

 

[Tradewinds]

Have you considered adding an ATO (Auto Top Off) to the system? If so which one?

 

[Bilk]

If you're going with a jebao product for something as important as a return pump, make sure you can get some kind of replacement immediately. Maybe even have a backup on hand, like a used mag.

I'm running a Jebao 12000 for my return. It seems to be very well made and quite silent. I like the slow start function and the variable adjusting of the volume return. It also produces very little heat. I'm thinking these pumps come out of the same factory as the pricier DC pumps. I've seen them side by side and they are identical save the housing color and tagging.

That said, I do have a spare for a backup

I wish it had enough pressure to run my ETSS skimmer, as I'd really like to do away with the noisy, heat producing Iwaki MD RLT70 I have powering it

 

[Kyle954]

If you're going with a jebao product for something as important as a return pump, make sure you can get some kind of replacement immediately. Maybe even have a backup on hand, like a used mag.

yeah I have heard some good and also bad stories, I have a few extra pumps for smaller tanks but could use them in case of emergency. I was possibly tthinking about the diablo dc pump but the highest rated one is for 1550 gph would that be sufficient for a 180g?

You can check my thread as I have the same tank and stand:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2444887

Make sure your stand has cross bracing in the bottom. Mine did not and the plywood bowed like a canoe leaving my sump supported only with 2 edges. I am currently in the process of removing the overflows and installing something different.

The stand I got is all hardwood

Have you considered adding an ATO (Auto Top Off) to the system? If so which one?

I have not. That's why I was looking for opinions and help lol. This tank will be set up in my living room on a 2nd story condo and don't have the luxury of dedicating a extra room to all my fish supplies

I'm running a Jebao 12000 for my return. It seems to be very well made and quite silent. I like the slow start function and the variable adjusting of the volume return. It also produces very little heat. I'm thinking these pumps come out of the same factory as the pricier DC pumps. I've seen them side by side and they are identical save the housing color and tagging.

That said, I do have a spare for a backup

I wish it had enough pressure to run my ETSS skimmer, as I'd really like to do away with the noisy, heat producing Iwaki MD RLT70 I have powering it

A lot of people with the jebao seem to say the same about it looking almost identical to other similar brands

 

[Bilk]

yeah I have heard some good and also bad stories, I have a few extra pumps for smaller tanks but could use them in case of emergency. I was possibly tthinking about the diablo dc pump but the highest rated one is for 1550 gph would that be sufficient for a 180g?


The stand I got is all hardwood


I have not. That's why I was looking for opinions and help lol. This tank will be set up in my living room on a 2nd story condo and don't have the luxury of dedicating a extra room to all my fish supplies


A lot of people with the jebao seem to say the same about it looking almost identical to other similar brands

I have not had any issue with the Jebao, but it's not quite a year since it went into service. However it's a pretty basic mechanism. Obviously not a lot of moving parts. They're certainly inexpensive enough to get a backup vs some of the mainstream DC pumps, which would be much more just for one. Besides, it looks like Jebao is here to stay and are pretty much mainstream at this point. They're no longer and unknown entity IMO. The Jebao looks just like the Diablo. I suspect they are the same pump. One of them is rebranded. Not sure which

As for total volume moved, you could probably use a 9000 or even a 6000. I guess it depends on how much turnover you desire. It also depends if you plan on running reactors with the main return pump, via a manifold. But you're on the right track IMO. DC pumps are the way to go. Little to no heat gain from the pump. They're very quiet compared to their counterparts and they have adjustability. I also like the separate controller. I have an Apex, but turing off the return is very convenient using the green button on the pump controller vs the Apex. The timer for turing it back on is automatic so if you forget to turn it back on, it won't.

Auto top-off is IMO, a must have and not optional. It's one piece of the puzzle that gives the tank stability. I think that goes especially so for larger tanks with larger surface area and higher water movement, which promote evaporation at a greater rate. And once set up and tuned, it's one less thing to worry about.

The stand looks nice. Now get to work

 

[Kyle954]

I have not had any issue with the Jebao, but it's not quite a year since it went into service. However it's a pretty basic mechanism. Obviously not a lot of moving parts. They're certainly inexpensive enough to get a backup vs some of the mainstream DC pumps, which would be much more just for one. Besides, it looks like Jebao is here to stay and are pretty much mainstream at this point. They're no longer and unknown entity IMO. The Jebao looks just like the Diablo. I suspect they are the same pump. One of them is rebranded. Not sure which

As for total volume moved, you could probably use a 9000 or even a 6000. I guess it depends on how much turnover you desire. It also depends if you plan on running reactors with the main return pump, via a manifold. But you're on the right track IMO. DC pumps are the way to go. Little to no heat gain from the pump. They're very quiet compared to their counterparts and they have adjustability. I also like the separate controller. I have an Apex, but turing off the return is very convenient using the green button on the pump controller vs the Apex. The timer for turing it back on is automatic so if you forget to turn it back on, it won't.

Auto top-off is IMO, a must have and not optional. It's one piece of the puzzle that gives the tank stability. I think that goes especially so for larger tanks with larger surface area and higher water movement, which promote evaporation at a greater rate. And once set up and tuned, it's one less thing to worry about.

The stand looks nice. Now get to work

Well starting off I was not planning on running anything other then the protein skimmer. And I was thinking about the 12000 size pump. I think it's about 3000gph rated which is more then ide need but that's the controller running at a lower speed would come into play

And as far as ATO what are some good brands that don't cost an arm and leg to purchase?

 

[Bilk]

I have this on my system. It's hooked up to the Apex and works in concert with my auto water changing. No moving parts on the sensors vs traditional float switches. Worked well for the last year with no issues. Just have to clean the sensors when doing your usual maintenance, but you'd have to do that with traditional float switches too. What I like about them is you can set the tolerance for evaporation pretty tight vs traditional float switches. There's no float to hang up and cause the ATO to either add too much or fail to go on. I think it could be improved, making the sensor mounts a bit more hardy. But if you DIY, you can manage that yourself.

Innovative Marine

I bought the pump too, though you can use any suitable pump. Then you need a vessel/tank to hold the water. Any food grade container of a volume you desire will work. US Plastics is a good source for them. Having a controller to manage everything for you isn't a bad idea

 

[Kyle954]

I have this on my system. It's hooked up to the Apex and works in concert with my auto water changing. No moving parts on the sensors vs traditional float switches. Worked well for the last year with no issues. Just have to clean the sensors when doing your usual maintenance, but you'd have to do that with traditional float switches too. What I like about them is you can set the tolerance for evaporation pretty tight vs traditional float switches. There's no float to hang up and cause the ATO to either add too much or fail to go on. I think it could be improved, making the sensor mounts a bit more hardy. But if you DIY, you can manage that yourself.

Innovative Marine

I bought the pump too, though you can use any suitable pump. Then you need a vessel/tank to hold the water. Any food grade container of a volume you desire will work. US Plastics is a good source for them. Having a controller to manage everything for you isn't a bad idea

Hmm I'll have to check that out. I would definitely like to have an ATO system integrated.
As far as carbon or calcium reactors. Are they necessary? I've never had one so I'm too familiar with them to be honest

 

[Tradewinds]

I have not. That's why I was looking for opinions and help lol..

Agreed, that's why I threw the idea out there.

...This tank will be set up in my living room on a 2nd story condo and don't have the luxury of dedicating a extra room to all my fish supplies

A 180 will be quite heavy, are you sure the second floor will support the load? Do you know if the stand will be supported by multiple floor joists or will it run parallel to the floor joists?

Hmm I'll have to check that out. I would definitely like to have an ATO system integrated.
As far as carbon or calcium reactors. Are they necessary? I've never had one so I'm too familiar with them to be honest

You may not need a calcium reactor. The need will be determined by the type of coral you want in keep in the tank. Another option, in lieu of calcium reactor, would be to manually dose a calcium supplement - if needed.

You can place a bag of carbon in your sump (in a high flow area) and get similar results as a carbon reactor.

Nice looking stand.

 

[Bilk]

Hmm I'll have to check that out. I would definitely like to have an ATO system integrated.
As far as carbon or calcium reactors. Are they necessary? I've never had one so I'm too familiar with them to be honest

I use 2 part and run carbon in a bag and only sparingly. I don't leave it in the sump for more than a day or so, in a high flow area.

I own a Ca reactor but have yet to set it up. I may eventually do so if the demand starts to out weigh the utility of 2 part.

You'll find there's no one correct answer to either of those questions. You'll have to find what works for your system as you go.

 

[Kyle954]

I use 2 part and run carbon in a bag and only sparingly. I don't leave it in the sump for more than a day or so, in a high flow area.

I own a Ca reactor but have yet to set it up. I may eventually do so if the demand starts to out weigh the utility of 2 part.

You'll find there's no one correct answer to either of those questions. You'll have to find what works for your system as you go.

Yeah I have not ran one, nor do I really know the importance of them. Guess I've never needed one thus far... lol