New 125 set-up advice

[Mason]

OK, I'm brand new to all of this, but am interested in starting a 125 gallon (long) reef. I'm going to get the AGA with dual overflows, and want to put a sump and refugium underneath.

My first question is what size protein skimmer do I need? I like the Euro Reef, but the footprint for the better models is too big (19"). I also am considering a AquaC EV model, but don't know how large I need to go.

Second question: How large a sump and refugium do I need and should I DIY or buy one already set up? I would consider a DIY if it is going to be easy and much cheaper, but keep in mind, I have never done any of this before. I want to make sure they are large enough to house the skimmer and eventually an RO/DI auto top-off and calcium/neilson reactors. I know it's going to be tight, but I would like to fit all of this under a 74x20x36 or so, stand I am building.

Any advice or links would be greatly appreciated (except telling me that I'm absolutely crazy)!

 

[Len]

Hey Mason,

I have a heavily stocked 120gallon and I use the Euroreef CS6-2. It's footprint is under 12" in any direction. The large ones (12" reaction tube) are excessively sized for a 125 gallon. I find my 6" Euroreef more then sufficient and would not consider ever upgrading. Since your stand is 36" tall (mine is only 30"), you could go with the taller CS6-3 if you want more processing power. As for the AquaCs, the EV180 and EV240 are what would best serve your needs.

As for the second question, sumps are simple so you can either go prefrabricated or DIY depending on your finances. If I were you, I'd use a 24" x 18" x 24" refugium in line with a 30" x 18" x 24" acrylic sump. I recommend you order the sump. Both would have to be custom made since those are standard dimensions. Not the cheapest route, I know, but you'll have the satisfaction of doing it right: maximized refugium and sump volume, with lots of room for equipment and refugium life, and a system that can handle the additional water in case of a power outtage. I always recommend doing it right the first time. This is especially true for sumps/refugiums in the stand since, once installed, they'll be there for life.

The water from the overflow would feed the refugium first, then flow from the refugium to the sump. A 30" sump will be plenty to house any of the above mentioned skimmers. The reactors would sit outside of the sump, and with 18" length to spare, you'll have no problem accomdating a reactor and your return pump.

The refugium should be a simple acrylic container; nothing fancy needs to be done to it. Just drill a hole about 18" from the bottom for the refugium water to overflow into the sump. The sump should be pretty simple too, except you'll want some baffles on the side closer to the pump(s) so bubbles don't get pumped back into your tank. Drill a corresponding 18" high hole on one side to accept the overflow from the refugium, and a hole on the other side for the return pump. I'll see if I can't whip up a diagram of what I'm thinking.

There's plenty of ways to do this, mind you. This is just what I have in my mind

 

[Len]

Here we go:

 

[Anonymous]

I personally wouldn't run 100% of my tanks flow through the fuge. I think the macro's need a little time with the tank water to have maximum affect.

I would divert 75% or so of the flow to the sump, and the other 25% through the fuge.

Louey

 

[Mason]

Thanks, that diagram helps a lot. What do you think of the Oceanic sumps? They have one with the approx. volume you are recommending.

Louey asked my next question for me. I've seen the order of tank- sump-fuge and tank-fuge-sump. Inland reef also says to divert one overflow to each, but go fuge-sump-pump-tank. What order do you think would work best?

 

[Len]

Ok, I wasn't thinking right that day Fuge to skimmer makes NO sense whatsoever. Sorry.

The arrangement remains the same, but I'd divert the flow mostly to the sump (to the skimer area) and only some of it to the refugium. Then I'd plumb the overflow from the fuge to the area of the sump after the baffles (so the fuge water doesn't get skimmed). Make sense?

Again, sorry for my poor advice earlier. 30 posts a day really wears you down

 

[Mason]

OK, I think I understand how that should work now. Here are my current thought on equipment:

Tank - 125 gal, AGA w/ dual overflow (72.5 x 18.5 x 23.5)
Sump - Oceanic reef ready - model 3 (36.5 x 18.5 x 19.5 about 50gal)
Fuge - will dyi, not sure what material, but approx size would be 15 -20
gallon - Is this big enough?
Pump - T4 - I only need one right?
Skimmer - EuroReef - either 6-2 or 6-3
RO/DI - Kent HighS 60 gal
Lights - not sure yet (mabye 3 250 mh + 2 VHO retro fit into the hood)
w/ eletronic ballasts.
Auto top-of and Reactors - will dyi in the future

How does that sound so far? Am I missing anything major or is there anyhing else that I need to consider for a new reef set-up?

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a nice start Mason.

I'd add a closed loop and some sea swirls and your set-up would be top notch!

The fuge should be as large as you can fit and/or afford!

Are you planning a 4 -6" deep sand bed with the correct grain size?

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

And you may end up needing a chiller. I'd wait to see what the tank temp is when the lights have been on all day.

Louey

 

[Mason]

Definitely doing w/ a deep sand bed. What is the correct grain size? Somebody recommended southdown sand and said that I could use a little of his live sand to seed it.

As for the closed loop, I'm not quite sure yet. Will AGA drill it for me before they ship? Also, I need to measure the space again. The tank is going in the dining room and space is limited (hence the 18in depth).

Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[Anonymous]

Southdown is the proper grain size. If it is available to you in your area, I'd go wtih it.

So a search on Closed Loops. I have personally done one yet.

Post some pics once you start getting your equipment set up.

Louey

 

[Mason]

Well, I'm getting closer and have the goals of July 4th for ordering all the equipment and Aug. 10 (when I get back from vacation) for going wet.

Before I get to that I have a few more plumbing and water flow questions.
If I am getting the 125 gal AGA w/ dual overflows and want to put in durso standpipes, do I need any of the overflow accessory kits or am I just duplicating materials?

For the sea swirls, if I am using a T4 as a returm pump (1225gal/hr)and it is divided into 2 returns, then I would use the 1/2 inch swirls (550+550=1100) or mabye the 3/4 inch (850+850=1700) correct?

I don't think I am going to have enough room behind the tank for a closed loop. What size and quantity of the tunze turbelle streams do you think I would need.

Lastly, I think I am going to have one overflow going to the sump and the second one split between the sump and the and the fuge so the fuge is only getting about 1/4 of the water and will have a slower flow rate. Will HomeDepot or Lowes have all the plumbing supplies that I will need? Are there any resources that have specific diagrams and recommended parts list for someone who has never done this before?

Thanks again for your patience and help!

 

[mountainbiker619]

Home Depot will have most of the items you will need. On my overflow plumbing a made sure not to use any 90 degree elbows and used sweeps instead. I order all my sweeps and ball/gate valves from http://www.aquaticeco.com/aquatic1v1/di ... 46034B5300

 

[Anonymous]

What size and quantity of the tunze turbelle streams do you think I would need.

I think one is the max you would want in this size tank. I have not used one myself, but I have been told that they are too powerful for tanks under 6'. But that was just one users opinion.

I don't think Lowes or home depot carry the bulkheads, but you local lfs should.

Louey