BennyFrank
New member
So 160W would be the total for both the bulbs and the ballast while running?
Tank Build Ideas
- Thread starter BennyFrank
- Start date
alanmorehead
Member
Yep, the ballast doesn't have any additional power consumption. It's strictly designed to drive the lamps.
160W for 12 hrs per day would run about $3.63/month
BennyFrank
New member
Nice. That's on par with my DAILY cost for caffeine consumption :eek1:
BennyFrank
New member
What would you guys suggest for flow. I think I'm gonna go with the 56 gal column (30Lx18Wx24H) mixed reef (primarily LPS & Soft w/ a few SPS near the top). I only really have experience with old school maxijets but it seems like the koralias are pretty popular and fairly priced. Just not sure which (koralia 1, 2, etc.) and how many I would need.
alanmorehead
Member
The HKs have a "cone-shaped" flow pattern that will help keep it from blasting a single spot (they also have a directional attachment if you want that). Jon had a mixed 65g that is similar to the dimensions of that 56g. IIRC he had a HK3 and HK4, so maybe a pair of HK3s? With LPS, especially corals like the Euphyllia species, you just have to adjust them so those corals don't get blasted. The HK1 seems too small and I think any more than a pair will start crowding the display aesthetically.
BennyFrank
New member
Well, I bought a tank this weekend
...and it is none of those.
Settled on a standard 29gal All-glass 30 x 12 x 18. I ended up liking the dimensions of it better than any of the ones listed above. Being that it is not as tall it should be easier to maintenance and use the light more effectively. Working on the stand now. I will probably have some plumbing questions in the next few days so please stick around.
...and it is none of those.
Settled on a standard 29gal All-glass 30 x 12 x 18. I ended up liking the dimensions of it better than any of the ones listed above. Being that it is not as tall it should be easier to maintenance and use the light more effectively. Working on the stand now. I will probably have some plumbing questions in the next few days so please stick around.
BennyFrank
New member
Hey jd (If you're out there),
I saw the pic of your nano(awesome BTW) that you posted on linoma . It looks like you had two drains that were just inverted elbows and a single return. How did you like that setup? I've heard they can be louder than having an overflow box. I'm debating right now between a single drain w/ overflow box (glass_holes) or something similar to your 26 gal w/ 2 drains. The pros I see with the 2 inverted elbows is that one can function as an emergency if the other clogs and they take up less real estate. Also, it will increase flow slightly (similar to jumping from a 3/4" drain to a 1" from what I've read) Cons could be noise? any others? Any more info you could give me on that tank would be helpful and if anyone else has an opinion, please chime in.
I saw the pic of your nano(awesome BTW) that you posted on linoma . It looks like you had two drains that were just inverted elbows and a single return. How did you like that setup? I've heard they can be louder than having an overflow box. I'm debating right now between a single drain w/ overflow box (glass_holes) or something similar to your 26 gal w/ 2 drains. The pros I see with the 2 inverted elbows is that one can function as an emergency if the other clogs and they take up less real estate. Also, it will increase flow slightly (similar to jumping from a 3/4" drain to a 1" from what I've read) Cons could be noise? any others? Any more info you could give me on that tank would be helpful and if anyone else has an opinion, please chime in.
bohlke
PBITAWA
FWIW I can hear my lifereef through the fishroom, I cant hear my megaflows and thats with the "aqua silencer".
jd474
New member
Yeah, I always hear water falling, over my equipment, too. But like Brad said in another thread, when it's totally silent, I'm freakin' out.
BennyFrank
New member
So here's what I'm thinking...
Sump setup (L to R): fuge, return, bubble trap baffles, skimmer
(2) 1" drains connected to external durso standpipes through the bulkheads (bulkheads will be ~2" below top rim of tank). Inside the tank would be inverted elbows to set the water level. So no overflow boxes, just the elbows. Both would drain into the skimmer section of the sump.
(1) .75" return T'd off to the fuge and DT. Ball valve on the return to the fuge and ball valve on the return to the DT.
I will try to do a sketchup later to give you a better idea. Does this even sound feasible? This is my first time plumbing a tank so please let me know if I'm completely missing something here.
Jon, I looked at the aqua silencer but not sure how it would work externally, if at all. Sounds like people have had good results with external dursos though.
Sump setup (L to R): fuge, return, bubble trap baffles, skimmer
(2) 1" drains connected to external durso standpipes through the bulkheads (bulkheads will be ~2" below top rim of tank). Inside the tank would be inverted elbows to set the water level. So no overflow boxes, just the elbows. Both would drain into the skimmer section of the sump.
(1) .75" return T'd off to the fuge and DT. Ball valve on the return to the fuge and ball valve on the return to the DT.
I will try to do a sketchup later to give you a better idea. Does this even sound feasible? This is my first time plumbing a tank so please let me know if I'm completely missing something here.
Jon, I looked at the aqua silencer but not sure how it would work externally, if at all. Sounds like people have had good results with external dursos though.
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BennyFrank
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<a href="http://s897.photobucket.com/albums/ac180/Benny_Frank/?action=view¤t=tank1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac180/Benny_Frank/tank1.jpg" border="0" alt="tank1"></a>
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looks perfect. i also used the elbow drain with durso's on my 40br, but just 1. 2 drains would've been better but i haven't had any problems.. i really like it. one thing i didn't do was the t off the return, kinda wish i woulda. i just t'd off my drain and put a ball valve on the fuge side. i also used 3/4 return and 1" overflow, never had a problem.
have you decided on return pump yet?
have you decided on return pump yet?
BennyFrank
New member
Haven't decided on a return pump yet. Next step is to get out the calculator and try to figure it out. I've read a few places that (2) 1" drains is not the same as having (1) 2" drain but similar to (1) 1.25" drain, so I guess I will use that as a starting poing for the calculation. Ideally I would want low/medium flow through the fuge and allow unrestricted return to the DT, right? Which pump are you running jbob?
BennyFrank
New member
Also, what are you using to adjust the vent in your durso or did you just drill a hole?
jd474
New member
How much head height do you have, Ben? I always liked Eheim's for smaller tanks, they are whisper silent, and very dependable (I still have one that works from before the Berlin Wall came down -- says "Made in WEST GERMANY").
I'm also envious of all these fancy renderings. Seems everybody is using them these days.
I'm also envious of all these fancy renderings. Seems everybody is using them these days.
BennyFrank
New member
Total height = 2.75'
Total pipe length = 3.75' @ 0.75"
Tried to make my way through this and use the linked spreadsheet; http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/featurejp.htm :reading::reading::reading:.....:hmm4:
I think I'm more confused now. I can't really find a good source for what flow to expect through a 1.25" drain ((2)1" = 1.25"). I found that 1" = 330gph and 1.5" = 976gph. Do I just shoot somewhere in the middle?
I've used a couple of different calculators for head loss and come up with anything between 2' and 5' but I don't even know which pump (gph?) I should be using for the example. I generally consider myself a pretty smart dude, but this exercise has me second guessing. Any help/clarification would be much appreciated.
Thanks. I've been using sketchup for a few years now, mostly for remodeling and design work. IMO it is the best, free, software available hands down. Really akward the first couple times using it but once you get the hang of it you can do some really cool things.
i would just calculate it as 2- 1" drains = 660gph.
i'm using an ocean runner 2500, i like it. the only problem i've had with them,(i have one on my closed loop also) is the closed loop one doesn't like to start back up if i turn it off. i think it happens because of the "reverse head"...theres water pushing on both ends of the pump. i should've put a shelf behind my tank for the closed loop pump instead of puting it under the tank. but i've never had a problem with the return pump.
i'm using an ocean runner 2500, i like it. the only problem i've had with them,(i have one on my closed loop also) is the closed loop one doesn't like to start back up if i turn it off. i think it happens because of the "reverse head"...theres water pushing on both ends of the pump. i should've put a shelf behind my tank for the closed loop pump instead of puting it under the tank. but i've never had a problem with the return pump.
alanmorehead
Member
This is similar to the way my 54g corner was setup. Just a simple elbow and short PVC to set the water level. I took a bit of tuning to get the noise down, but wasn't very loud once set. I think you'll be able to adjust it pretty well with the external durso. The dual bulkheads are nice in case one gets plugged (gutter guard should pretty much eliminate that though)
Other option would be to split off the drain if you're looking for a little more flow from your return pump. Not sure it's going to matter much though.
Yeah, looks great and so do your sketches
You're probably not going to run much flow through the fuge, but if you do you might consider moving it do the other side so it also passes through the bubble trap. Otherwise, you might get some bubbles from it dropping directly onto your return pump. Fuge | Skimmer | Bubble trap | Return area
Have you had issues with T-ing off the drain side vs the return? Just curious
+1 on the Eheims
.75" = 330gph
1" = 600gph
1.25" = 900gph
1.5" = 1300gph
2" = 2350gph
http://reefcentral.com/index.php/drainoverflow-size-calc
I'd narrow down your return pumps. Maybe start with the Eheim 1250 and compare from there. You might be able to find some more accurate flow charts for a specific model. Probably around 250gph @ 3' of head loss before the split off with that one.
