my tank is almost here, and need some suggestions.

[mr_X]

hey peeps.
i ordered a 200 gallon RR, starfire tank from glass cages(cross your fingers 8O ), and i had them drill 3 holes in the back pane for closed loops. my plan is to have no powerheads in the tank at all. so, now, for the pumps. i was thinking 2, possibly 3 sequence reeflo snapper pumps. 1 for each hole, choked back if necessary.
what's everyone's take on this? is this too much? too little?
i also have 2 overflows, so the return will most likely be a mag12-18 or so.
i almost forgot to add- my sump is going to be my 125AGA

my tank is 5'x30"x25" high. also, the lighting. i was thinking of either 4x 400watt halides alone (2-10k, and 2-20k), or 2-400watt 10k halides with with 4x110 watt vho. any comments on that?

 

[Anonymous]

looking forward to the build

 

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking maybe it would be easier to go with one or two higher rated pumps, like a Dart, or 'Cuda(less plumbing, less wiring, less overall electrical usage) YMMV, and its only my opine, of course.

4x400 watt halides over a 5 foot tank, albeit a wide 5 foot tank, is gonna be a huge amount of heat to pull out from under that hood - maybe go for the 2x400 with VHO option, or if that isnt quite enough, maybe 2x400, with a 250 in the front center(400s in the back corner quadrants and the 250 inbetween and slightly more forward)? Again, YMMV, and just my opinion again - I'm assuming this is of course going to be heavily dominated by SPS, right?

 

[ezrec]

If you can, look for a pump with a 'vortex' impeller. They are usually rated to pass solids, and won't clog on hair or algae.

Or hair algae, for that matter.

 

[mr_X]

sps dominated? sure, i'd like that, but it's not a requirement. i like the lps best, but i want to leave my options open, and get the most powerful punch now.

as for the less, more powerful pumps...i wanted to implement a wavemaker. can i do this with the external pumps?
if i use one strong pump, with say....3 returns about the tank, i cannot do this.

as for the hood-there will be no hood. this will be a wall mount with suspended lumenarc reflectors above the tank which will not be seen unless you are in the tank room.

so far i am leaning towards 2 x 400 watt 10k halides with 4 x vho...
these bulbs- http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?Pa ... rodID=1282

anyone have any info on these?

 

[ezrec]

The DIY hood for my 55g consists of six GE 6500K CF lights (1900 Lumens each) and two actinic F18T8 bulbs.

Of course, I'm only growing Artemia, Algae, and Hermit Crabs right now, but it's pretty frick'n bright.

I have a spectrometer and a PAR meter on order, so I can tell you if I just wasted $100 (the lights only cost $50 all told, plus $50 in building materials) or not.

UPDATE: Funny. I just realized my test equipment I ordered plus the $100 I already spent would have bought be a really nice CoralLife w/Actinic and 150W MH. Ah well, I'll chalk it up as a learning experience.

 

[mr_X]

well, then that being said...what do you think of this stand?
think it will hold? :lol:

 

[trido]

I really do like the stand. I think if you stack them just right you could park a car on them (it). :lol: For a five foot tank I think that four 400 lumenarcs wont even fit. Two with a couple VHOs should be plenty.
I would use a Sequence Dart or barracuda as well for the CL. External pumps are not designed to be used as wave makers. The repetetive on/off action will wear them out FAST. If you get a wave maker from http://www.oceansmotions.com/store/prod ... ba03c4b713 this company you wont be dissapointed



I hope your tank arrived just as you expect. Look forward to the build thread

 

[mr_X]

yeah...this is the second time someone has recommended oceans motions....ugh....it's gonna end up costing me another 1500.00 on top of the tank :roll:

you would recommend a S. dart x3? i have 3 intakes. i expected to use 3 pumps and run them off of a red sea wavemaster pro.

so, buy 1 large pump and use the 3 intakes to funnel into it? then back out to 3 or 4 returns? lay your idea out for me.

 

[trido]

you would recommend a S. dart x3? i have 3 intakes.
so, buy 1 large pump and use the 3 intakes to funnel into it? then back out to 3 or 4 returns? lay your idea out for me.

I would use one large pump, and use one bulkhead for the intake and two of the bulkheads for returns depending on where they are and maybe two over the top returns.
Or use a dart for flow with the bulkheads and a vortech or two with controller for a wave maker. There are so many ways to go about it.

i expected to use 3 pumps and run them off of a red sea wavemaster pro.

Im pretty sure this will burn out the relay switches in the pumps within the year

 

[bleedingthought]

One more vote for a dart. One more vote for the lumenarcs. And one more vote for the OM unit.

2 darts on 2 oceans motions 4-way!!!

I myself am only using one dart on one 4-way, though, and I'm really thinking it'll be enough flow for the 210G. (Read about dynamic flow on the oceans motions forum or gyre tanks on the boards here...)

4 lumenarcs won't even fit in a 6 foot tank! Like Duane said, try 2 of the lumenarc IIIs. Should be PLENTY!! :lol: (Or maybe 3 minis)

Looking forward to this, by the way. 8)

 

[mr_X]

One more vote for a dart. One more vote for the lumenarcs. And one more vote for the OM unit.

2 darts on 2 oceans motions 4-way!!!

ok....so...which one of you guys is gonna loan me some money 8O