Sump/Refugium Suggestions

[toobrie]

From the couple of LED fixtures I have seen, I have not been impressed. Just from looking at them, they do not appear to put out that high intensity light, like you see from MH or T5HO.

 

[fuzz1974]

There was a thread on here a few weeks ago, some guy was using the Solaris. It seemed pretty bright. The benefit to em would be the savings on the ol' lectric bill.....



fuzz

 

[cspurr]

Hey guys...thanks for all of the great info and suggestions, I will check out these sites. Since I can't afford the Solaris or Galileo right now, I would like to pick up one 150w halide and two T5 or VHO actinic. It's only for a 29g, so the T5's might be a little overkill. I just haven't had as good of luck with the compact flourecents as I would have liked...thought I could go the cheaper route...but so far that really hasn't panned out for me.

Only problem is with the halides and T5 combo, the electric bills are going to be about double to three times compared to what I am running right now - I figured it out per Kilowatt.

Thanks Again,
-Chris

 

[cspurr]

I have heard great things about the IceCap ballasts...anyone using them?

 

[toobrie]

you could run 4 39w T5HO's for probably the same money as a MH setup. Less power consumption and will still be able to have pretty much any coral you want.

 

[zy112]

Depend when your tank is going to be set-up. With time the LED's will come down in price, just like all new technology and they are as intense.

 

[cspurr]

Thanks for all of the replies...I think I am going to try a custom build hood from the old garage...2x T5s and 1x Halide. Birch plywood, sanding, and some good old satin black paint.

Is there any benfit using a double ended vs. mogul socket?
I heard the double ended setup is brighter...any truth to this?

I really enjoy the shimmer effect on the water...so unfortunately HQIs are probably the only way to achieve that. I like the idea of the cheaper T5s though (energy bill). I am trying a mockup of a custom hood I am designing using Google Sketchup (3D). Trying to think of a lot of things (room) before actual construction.

Thanks again.

-Chris

 

[toobrie]

I use SE. The DE are too easy to break the ends off of. Not a real difference in price each way. Im not sure if there is a difference in the output of the bulbs though.

 

[cspurr]

Yeah, I was wondering about that...they look pretty darn fragile if you ask me.

 

[Fireworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12049106#post12049106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ddimberio
Not sure what I am going to do for lighting...Either 2 metal halide fixtures with actinics built-in, or perhaps, the new LED fixtures. If they were just 25% cheaper I would seriously consider them.

Besides, do you think 1 72 inch Solaris fixture (the latest version) would sufficiently light my tank? 6 x 24 high x 30 wide?

The only bad thing i have heard about LED lighting is that it sometimes can burn coral. It is such a direct light. But I am only going by memory and I thought I heard that a while ago so don't hold me to it. just another thing to look into.

 

[JCR's Reef]

dd- Hows your sump planning coming? Have you started on things yet? You need to post some pictures of your build. Or you could just buy all the equipment and have a weekend meeting and let everyone else do it for you! LOL. J/k. It takes alot of time. Just curious to how things are turning out.

 

[ddimberio]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12224964#post12224964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCR's Reef
dd- Hows your sump planning coming? Have you started on things yet? You need to post some pictures of your build. Or you could just buy all the equipment and have a weekend meeting and let everyone else do it for you! LOL. J/k. It takes alot of time. Just curious to how things are turning out.

I haven't "pulled the trigger" on anything yet...right now, my plan is to use an old buddy of mine in the business in Indy to build my sump - probably a simple berlin design - probably 50 - 60 gallons. We (he) are going to build a separate refugium that will be farily large as well.

I am still trying to decide if I want a 180 (6x2x2) or 220 (6X30 wideX2). I will probably go with the latter depending on where the wife wants it in the basement. The latter would fit one of the walls much better plus it gives me some more aquascaping ability. We will see.

 

[kaotic1121]

DD- I threw together a quick sketch of what I was talking about at Jim's shop a few weeks ago. The plumbing is shady looking, but it will give you a good visual to what I was trying to explain.

Also, I'm adding a link to a review of the Vortechs too.
http://www.melevsreef.com/review_vortech.html

 

[ddimberio]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12226498#post12226498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaotic1121
DD- I threw together a quick sketch of what I was talking about at Jim's shop a few weeks ago. The plumbing is shady looking, but it will give you a good visual to what I was trying to explain.

Also, I'm adding a link to a review of the Vortechs too.
http://www.melevsreef.com/review_vortech.html

Thanks alot man! Appreciate your sketch and the review. See you soon! - DD

 

[tazman71]

If you decide you want a 50 gallon stock tank like that, let me know. I have 2. I really only want to keep one of them.

 

[JCR's Reef]

If you have the funds for a 220 I would go with it. You have alot more possibilities and more room for fish to swim without the rockwork in the way.
Have you incorporated a drain in your fish tank room? Something to consider to make it easier. Funnel and PVC going to the sump makes a decent one.

 

[ddimberio]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12242943#post12242943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCR's Reef
If you have the funds for a 220 I would go with it. You have alot more possibilities and more room for fish to swim without the rockwork in the way.
Have you incorporated a drain in your fish tank room? Something to consider to make it easier. Funnel and PVC going to the sump makes a decent one.

No, because I have reconsidered moving the tank to a different wall as opposed to having it built in. This will enable me to put the sump and refugium in the "back room" of my basement where there is a large sink, and my basement's sump. From a maintenance standpoint, this will make things much easier. I can also put RO/Vats right next the sump for easy top off.

Some unique plumbing will need to be done, as the water will have to drain abut 15 feet of PVC to the sump - and I will need a large external pump to push water back to the aquarium from the back room. I had Jim from Sea Dwellers come over and he likes my idea. Should be easy to get done.

 

[JCR's Reef]

Never looked into the highend pumps, so sorry I'm no help there. Your setup sounds good though. You've thought most things out that everybody usually forgets.

 

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I like Kaotics drawing a lot but it leaves me with one question.Since a refugium actually is a real part of the denitrification system and a great way to get rid of phosphates as well why not make the fuge 100 gallons and the sump 50 gallons?

 

[kaotic1121]

Actually, in my honest opinion, I think refugiums are over rated in their nutrient exporting abilities. I like to view them as a refuge for quick micro fauna growth, or cheap food factories. In my experience, the best denitrifiers are big clams. When I added four in my 90gal it dropped my nitrates from 120ppm (embarrassingly high) to 40ppm in a week. Fireworm can attest to that too. I also made a RDSB (remote deep sand bed) per Anthony Calfo’s recommendation. That’s another effective and cheap method to denitrate a system.

As for phosphates, just grow xenia. Excellent phosphate exporter, cheap to obtain, easy to grow, LFS love to take it.