upgrading...need some help...

B

Bruce Wayne

Member
I have a 60 gallon, standard dimensions and I am going to upgrade to a 180 gallon, I was thinking about a few things:

1. going center overflow over two corner overflows? center would have 2" drain and two 1" returns versus two 1.5" drains on two corner overflows. My concern is flow, a friend of mine says that the center overflow makes dead spots...Also, I would love to have two quiet1 returns (noise is a big concern of mine)

2. Euro braced versus standard? concern is just $...is it worth the money?

3. Canopy versus no canopy? I want to go LEDs for sure and I would prefer to not to have a hanging fixture but I don't see much of another option if I don't have a canopy...

4. How should do the transfer? Before when I went from a 55 to a 100 I just put in all the rock, sand and cycled it like any other tank, however, I don't have the room to have both the 180 gallon and the 60 gallon running at the same time...any suggestions?

thanks for all of your input in advance! :wave:
 
1. going center overflow over two corner overflows? center would have 2" drain and two 1" returns versus two 1.5" drains on two corner overflows. My concern is flow, a friend of mine says that the center overflow makes dead spots...Also, I would love to have two quiet1 returns (noise is a big concern of mine)

The more surface area of teeth on a overflow increses the skimming of surface water in the tank. The more the better.

2. Euro braced versus standard? concern is just $...is it worth the money?

If your going with three lights over the tank, go eurobraced, if your buliding a canopy and installing the lights on both sides of the brace, go with the standard setup.

3. Canopy versus no canopy? I want to go LEDs for sure and I would prefer to not to have a hanging fixture but I don't see much of another option if I don't have a canopy...

If going eurobraced, and the top edge is nice and finished, go with it open. It will keep heat down. Hanging fixtures can look nice depending on your style and light choice.

4. How should do the transfer? Before when I went from a 55 to a 100 I just put in all the rock, sand and cycled it like any other tank, however, I don't have the room to have both the 180 gallon and the 60 gallon running at the same time...any suggestions?

Transfer your tank into a hundred gallon rubbermaid while you get your other tank set up. Have the rubbermaid tub be fully functional as a tank. That will give you plenty of time to set the 180 up right. OR, drain your tank to 50%, then put some pipes underneeth it like the egyptians did to move rocks. Just get it out of the way while the new tank is being set up.
 
what kind of lights do you recommend? I want to be mixed reef w plenty of SPS...I wanted to go LED because of heat and cost of replacing bulbs but I know nothing about LEDs...
 
Thats a tough question. I will go led one day, my situation is unique. I live in high altitdue and need all the heat i can get. I want leds to have some adjustablilty with the controllers. Right now i run halides, but once again, my situation is not standard. I have 1000 gallons of water in the basement feeding my display, the basement stays in the 50's. my electricity is super cheap, so right now, led's are a waste. In SOCO i would get led in a heartbeat. .20-.30 kWh is to much in my opinion to run halides when alternatives are available.
 
1, Are you going to have a custom tank made? That overflow design is not standard. A center overflow does not make dead spots. A standard 180RR tank will have dual corner or duel back panel overflows.

If you dont like noise stay away from quiet one pumps. The only thing quiet about them is the name.

2. Personally I hate euro bracing. It just makes access to the tank smaller and more difficult.

3. I prefer a canopy. I dont like to see any electrical or mechanical parts outside the tank. A canopy also contains light spillage. Lots of people prefer no canopy and fixtures. Personal preference.

4. Put everything in a big trash can or similar vessel.
 
OK, I have got someone to build the stand for me...about returns...who knows of the best, quietest returns? I think I'd rather go (2) 3/4" returns to keep the center overflow as small as possible...any input?
I have used quiet1's for years but everyone hates them. I have used them because I can submerse them, soft plumb them for 6 inches or so to the pvc with soft tubing under them and they are almost completely silent, I'm sure the vortechs will be much louder. I am not, however, opposed to 1" returns, I just don't want a huge overflow if it's not necessary...
 
If you like and have had success with QO pumps, by all means use them. You can use 2 x 3/4" returns.
 
Ok, here is my concern with the pumps...I want to get the ball moving on this upgrade and I need the tank first...as I said before, noise is a big concern of mine and I have had some success, as far as noise goes with QO's, however they have given me some problems otherwise (I am ready to try another brand), I also would like them because I could use two returns (and possibly two overflows/drains) to make my overflow smaller...my concern there is dead spots of flow...below I drew a picture (sorry about the poor quality but I am working with what I have) to show the several 180 gallon center overflows I have seen (Drawing A) and what I would like to do (Drawing B) in B, I can use the same perimeter with less area and therefore a smaller overflow...If need be I can just make it (2) 1.5" overflows/drains on B instead of the (1) 2". C represents my current 60 gallon, I ordered 1.5" and 0.75" holes to be drilled and that is what I got...a lot of my small tank taken up and dead spots...
My question is, has anyone done this before? Suggest I go with the traditional overflow? Also, please let me know what is the quietest return(s) out there I can use, thank you!

<a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e197/mogphotobucket/?action=view&current=overflowquestionfinal.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e197/mogphotobucket/overflowquestionfinal.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
Last edited:
Check out larrym LEDs on sdreefs. Pretty much the best you can get for the price. If you want quiet return pumps, QOs might not be the best bet. Check out tunze for returns. I would personly go external and use an iwaki pump.
 
Ok, so things may be a bit different...I went in to my LFS for a return and came out with this...and the return...
EastSanGabrielValley-20110521-00162.jpg

EastSanGabrielValley-20110521-00161.jpg

EastSanGabrielValley-20110521-00160.jpg

It was exactly what I wanted in front of me :eek1:(I had decided that getting a tank/stand custom made (225 gallons 6'x30"x24") wasn't worth the money...I saw it with the type of overflow I had in mind, eurobraced/rimless, starfire on 3 sides:eek1:...I had to get it...:bounce2:
So...I am working on the stand being made (I couldn't buy it without it) My question is what kind of sump would you go with? I am debating between a 120 (4x2x2) or a 75?? The stand will be 42" high I plan on a basic set up (micron sock --> skimmer --> fuge --> return)
Thanks again!
 
Being in So Cal also earthquakes are always in the back of our minds so I think euro brace is a good idea or a canopy. PS nice tank that you got.
The stand seems high my stand is 34 inches tall the top of your rim will be 66'' tall.
 
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