Upgrade plan in the works... 55 to 90. Need some advice...

FSU3NOLES28

FSU3NOLES28

New member
Current tank:
55g with no sump
4 t5s
MJ 1200 pumping into aqua c remora hob skimmer
2 hydor koralia 750gph powerheads

Looking to upgrade to
90g with 40g sump... Is that a fair size sump?
Upgrade to in sump skimmer... Any suggestions?
Was thinking somewhere around a mag7 pump? Is that sufficient enough?
Will the 4 t5s cut it or do i need to add more?
Should i add more flow?

Never worked with a sump before so any tips would be great.

Definitely not jumping into this one... My 55 is doing great... Just planning for my upgrade.

Thanks guys!
 
Is there any particular reason you are doing the 90?

Back in the day I was going to do a 90 gallon from a 65 gallon and I was talked into the 120 gallon (4x2x2) and I am happy with that decision.

~Austin
 
Eastamherstbias said:
Is there any particular reason you are doing the 90?

Back in the day I was going to do a 90 gallon from a 65 gallon and I was talked into the 120 gallon (4x2x2) and I am happy with that decision.

~Austin
Click to expand...

Dont have the biggest living room. Not saying the extra 6 inches would kill me, but where i have my tank it would be pretty significant.
 
Looking to upgrade to
90g with 40g sump... Is that a fair size sump?
As most would say, bigger is better man so yes a 40 gallon sump would be plenty. The idea is essentially to increase the overall water volume of the entire system as well as many other things. A 40b sump would be perfect because of its size and foot print. You can fit some seriously massive skimmers in a 40b and all sorts of reactors, heaters, refugium, etc.
Upgrade to in sump skimmer... Any suggestions?
If it was me, I would go with any of the larger Reef Octopus skimmers.
Was thinking somewhere around a mag7 pump? Is that sufficient enough?
I would go with at least a Mag 12 for the ability to control the flow coming out of it. In a 90 with a 40 sump, a Mag 7 would be stretched pretty thin. Not that it wouldn't do the job, but you're going to want more flow in that large of a tank that a Mag 7 can provide. I am nuts when it comes to flipping the water over measured in GPH. I have now a 500GPH hob filter, CPR Bak Pak skimmer, and 2 Koralia Nanos in my tiny 20H. Lots of flow and tons of variability in it.
Will the 4 t5s cut it or do i need to add more?
I am not completely sure on the dimensions of a 90 gallon but I do believe they are wider than a 55. I would want at least a 6 bulb fixture for a higher PAR. 90s are definitely deeper than a 55 and you'll loose even more PAR at deeper depths.
Should i add more flow?
For flow, you can't go wrong with a few powerheads or even a couple MP series pumps. You're going to want a wide variety of flow in that large of a tank as thinks will get massive and need good water movement.

I hope this helped some man!!
 
40 breeder is a nice sump, just watch the height- it's a shallow tank and easier to overflow when the return pump is off. I have a 120, 20, and 50 rubbermaid on a 40 breeder sump, so it can be done :) You can do 4 bulbs, but 6 is really a better way to go. For flow mag 7 is scraping by, go at least 9.5. For skimmer the reef octupus are good bang for the buck - especially if you can swing the bubble blaster pump models.
 
Blurry said:
40 breeder is a nice sump, just watch the height- it's a shallow tank and easier to overflow when the return pump is off. I have a 120, 20, and 50 rubbermaid on a 40 breeder sump, so it can be done :) You can do 4 bulbs, but 6 is really a better way to go. For flow mag 7 is scraping by, go at least 9.5. For skimmer the reef octupus are good bang for the buck - especially if you can swing the bubble blaster pump models.
Click to expand...

Was thinking 6 t5s was going to be the way to go.

Thanks for the tips.
 
i've got a 7 on my 90. i prefer it to a larger pump. a return pump really isn't meant for flow. your drains and your skimmer can only process so much. i'd match your return to what your skimmer can handle.
 
"Scored an Awesome stand and a drilled 90g for $100 today!"

So, where's the picture of this awesome stand?

I have a Maxi-Jet 9.5 on my 60 gallon with a ball valve to dial it back. Works perfectly. Better to go too big and adjust it than to have too little flow. I also agree that the deeper tanks like your 90 will need six T5's.
 
EllieSuz said:
"Scored an Awesome stand and a drilled 90g for $100 today!"

So, where's the picture of this awesome stand?

I have a Maxi-Jet 9.5 on my 60 gallon with a ball valve to dial it back. Works perfectly. Better to go too big and adjust it than to have too little flow. I also agree that the deeper tanks like your 90 will need six T5's.
Click to expand...



i'm confused ,what benefit is there to restricting a pump ,and rushing water through a sump before it can be skimmed ?
 
I don't think any skimmer will skim all the water as it passes through the sump. In my case, I have a section of the sump that I use as a refugium and the flow through the Chaeto is necessary. Active flow through the DT and the sump is always a good thing and it's hard to have too much. I'll be interested in hearing more opinions on this issue.
 
Wording was messed up a little there. Meant to say awesome tank and stand. The stand is pretty basic, 2 doors and a drawer made out of oak.

The stand needs a little tlc but its extremely durable and knowing that i got it all for $100 is the best part.

EllieSuz said:
"Scored an Awesome stand and a drilled 90g for $100 today!"

So, where's the picture of this awesome stand?

I have a Maxi-Jet 9.5 on my 60 gallon with a ball valve to dial it back. Works perfectly. Better to go too big and adjust it than to have too little flow. I also agree that the deeper tanks like your 90 will need six T5's.
Click to expand...
 
Actually decided to switch some things around... Going with a 120 instead.

Thinking 120g with a 40g sump.

Was considering upgrading to a 8x54 TEK t5 system. Thoughts?

Also will be looking for a glshls overflow for the 120 im getting from Todd. Let me know if anyone knows where i can get one.

Thanks

Jon
 
I had a 6x54 tek over my 120. I like the blue so I had two daylights and 4 actinics. 8 bulbs would be overkill. Even at 6 bulbs, my coral needed some time to acclimate.
 
hey Jon ..The tank comes with a gl@ss holes overflow :) The 8 bulb TEK light would work awesome..I used 6 bulbs over that tank and it worked pretty nice also..(mine were not TEK,the TEK is much better than what I used..)
 
toddmh said:
hey Jon ..The tank comes with a gl@ss holes overflow :) The 8 bulb TEK light would work awesome..I used 6 bulbs over that tank and it worked pretty nice also..(mine were not TEK,the TEK is much better than what I used..)
Click to expand...

Oh awesome.

Thought you said you didnt have it! Even better!
 
Going to go with a lifereef vs3-24 skimmer. Would about a mag 9.5 be a good pump for the tank and skimmer? I plan on using a 40g sump.
 
A Mag 9.5 should do fine as a return pump. I use one with great success. These pumps are real workhorses. Be sure to install a ball valve on the outtake so you can dial it back if needed.
 
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