Tank Reset/overhaul

[xpawn]

I'm resetting and adding upgrades to my current 100g sw tank setup.
Any help or advice regarding this project will be greatly appreciated.

First i'll be adding a sump and refug.
The sump will be a rubbermaid tub and the refug will be an 40 gallon glass tank. I've been reading alot and looking at photos of 100gal setups.
I'm sure a closed loop setup is best. When looking at diagrams and photos of other setups. I notice pvc connects on inside of tank. I assume thats to control water current and circulation. and would a spraybar be recommended?
Any information or ideas to get me started are welcome.

 

[captbunzo]

Skip the closed loop. Go with some SEIOs or wait a couple months until Tunze Nano-Streams are available.

Other then that, why don't you detail a couple things for us.

1. What is the current state, setup of your tank?
2. Why do you want to overhaul it?
3. What are the goals of this overhaul?
4. What sort of livestock are you keeping now (corals, fish, etc)?
5. What sort of livestock are you planning for the new setup?

Thanks! I look forward to hearing your responses.

 

[Matrexz]

Wouldn't a closed loop be cheaper than the Tunze Nano-Streams ??? And why do you say to skip the closed loop??

 

[xpawn]

Thanks for the response.

My current state and setup is.
Tank currently taken down moved into new house.
current livestock and coral is being kept in Temporary 40 gallon tank.

The 100gal setup.
50 lbs live rock
20 lbs live sand
100gal glass undrilled tank
Fluval 404 canister
emperor 400 HOB filter
Red sea prizm skimmer HOB
A-565 AquaClear Power Head
1 24inc corallife compact lights
2x40watt fluorescent lights

Live stock
1 Watchman Golby
1 Royal Grama
1 Yellow wrasse
1 black/white striped damsel
1 orange tail damsel (free to anyone who wants)
1 Coral banded shrimp

Corals:
Xenia Frag small (xenia sp.)
Starburst Polyp Frag small(Pachyclavularia sp.)
Green Mushroom Frag small (Rhodactis sp.)

I want to overhaul my tank to upgrade my filtration.
replace canister filter with sump and add refug.
this will also increase my total water volume. And add more flow and circulation.
I'll also be upgrading the lights 2x250 Watt mhl
My plan is to keep all types of corals hard and soft including clams. I'll be adding several more fish to livestock.

Any advice or information provided to help me accomplish this project is greatly appreciated.
I'll also keep documentation and provide pic's of this project.

 

[captbunzo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7879126#post7879126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Matrexz
Wouldn't a closed loop be cheaper than the Tunze Nano-Streams ??? And why do you say to skip the closed loop??

Cheaper? Probably not. The Nano-Streams are supposed to be around $100 a piece. Get 2 of them and you'd be set for a tank this size (I think). Get and you would be VERY well set.

A closed loop would require a good pump (sequence reefflo dart is a standard for a tank this size), which would run $200 or so itself. Then add on cost of bulkheads, piping, lockline, etc. You'll end up spending as MUCH on the closed loop up front.

And that isn't counting the fact that the nano-streams will likely burn a fourth or an sixth or somethingth the electricity every month.

Also, as much as closed loops are cool - they are very complicated to setup. Tanks must be drilled, etc. The nano-streams are sleek, sexy little powerheads. You can have it setup in minutes. No downtime for the tank required.

 

[captbunzo]

Here is another VERY important question: What is your budget? How much do you have to spend?

 

[djc1026]

A closed loop can be added without drilling the tank and the benefit over the Seio's is the alternating flow, although the large pump price and power consumption are big con's in my book as well. I too would go with the larger Seio's and hope for the controller to get released, but better yet, hold out for the Tunze nano streams, get the largest one and put two or three on controllers.

I would use a spraybar if you have a large return pump, otherwise no. Use powerheads or a closed loop for the circulation, not the return.

Dave

 

[captbunzo]

Honestly, I think alternating flow is overhyped. I think good solid diffuse flow created by powerheads such as SEIO or Tunzes (sized to the tank, 20x tank volume minimum GPH) will create more then enough turbulence to keep just about anything happy...

The more I learn in this hobby, the more I learn that simple is often better. But that's just my opinion, of course...

 

[xpawn]

Thanks for the replys.
As most i'm on a tight budget.
I plan on doing most of it DIY, I'll do some research on Tunze nano streams and what it will cost me. I'm in no hurry if i have to wait and save for the right equipment that's fine with me.

 

[xpawn]

Okey, I have researched Tunze nano streams. At www.tunze.com. And very confused. on what i need.
is this what i need? http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C=US&user_tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter025. if so how many and what else?

 

[mskohl]

on the 225 (6'x 2'x 3'H) I'm getting together, I'll probably get two turbelle 6000 streams. If you want to alternate the current, you can get the 7095 controller. I'm going to postpone that and see if I really want it.

 

[_Sooner_2]

I'm not a huge fan of the Seio's. I have two of them in my 120 now. I would rate them at 'ok'. I think the listed flow rate is greatly exagerrated. I think they foul much too quickly and require more frequent cleaning (than other power heads). I think the mounting cups are barely adequate. Other than that, I guess they're perfect.

I also have a closed loop on the same tank. It's run through an in-line Iwaki pump. It returns through a sqwd to alternate flow.

I personally like using a closed loop and powerheads. I don't like having an nuclear-powered pump blowing anywhere in my tank. I am however interested in replacing the Seio's with those nano Tunze's to compliment the closed loop.

Ronnie