Discussion on a NEW Set-up

[Reggie]

Opinions in the forum run the gamut from one person to another. For the purposes of this dicussion thread here are the parameters if you would. Basically, what do you see as the problem areas and equipment which would make this a pristine overall set up. Cost for the purposes of this thread lets ignore it in an effort to get a quality set up.

Essentially the additional tank is the blank canvas the only additional parameter is the flow from existing tank is directly into additional tank to sump/refug and then back to existing tank. Flow rates should be taken considered as well as the addition of a controller.

Existing
Tank 180 gal used as a FOWLER
220-240 lbs LR & 1.5" crushed coral
Red Sea skimmer (HOTB to be moved to QT)
Fluval FX5 canister filter - to be use for water "polishing"
Chiller to date is not required but a heater has been added to maintain 80F

To Be Added
Tank 180 gal to be a REEF w/ some show fish
Skimmer - size and make unknown
Sump - size and make unknown

 

[mr_X]

i use a 75 gallon, undrilled tank as my sump with refugium.
it's a pretty good size- plenty of room for everything.
is this main display drilled?

i've just asked the skimmer question-
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=104817

how far is the display from the sump? i use a mag7 now, and 4' up and 1 bend, it seems a bit underpowered. mag 9.5 would probably be ok for refugium purposes.

 

[Reggie]

My intent is to place the two tanks side by side. The additional tank is not purchased as of yet so anything can be done to it. I think it would be nice to have a REEF next to a FOWLER allowing me to "paint in aquascapes" anything my heard desires.

 

[bleedingthought]

So, what's the question again?

 

[Reggie]

What is the opinion of this forum as the problem areas and equipment needed which would make this an overall pristine set up? That is the question.

 

[bleedingthought]

What is the opinion of this forum as the problem areas and equipment needed which would make this an overall pristine set up? That is the question.

The bigger the sump, usually the better. More volume makes for more stability. Glass tanks make for cheap sumps.

Skimmers is always a hot issue. I'm wondering what skimmer I'll be using on my system myself (210G tank with an extra 50-60G between fuge and sump). I will either go with an Euroreef or an ASM skimmer. There's also Deltec, Octopus, AquaEuro USA, and AquaC skimmers which I've seen/read/heard good things about.

That's a starting point.

 

[bleedingthought]

More, it's always a good idea to overshoot on the skimmer, in my opinion.

Also, you're going to need stronger lighting for reef tank and much higher flow rate than most FOWLR.

I would personally recommend either 250W or 400W MH for the lighting with possible actinic supplement.

I like closed loops and I like Sequence Dart pumps to run them. There's a couple of routes to go in order to control/randomize closed loop flow out there. I'm going with an Oceans Motions unit on my setup.

Tunze Stream and Ecotech Vortech pumps are the high end of the other option - powerheads. They have their own controllers.

There's a lot more things to consider, but as far as equipment, these might be the base, more or less.

 

[Reggie]

Thanks for the input Bleeding.... this is exactly the thought provoking answer I was looking for. I am prone to glass tanks rather than acrylic.

My consideration is to search garage sales for a 100 gal to utilize as the sump and refug. Your closed loop versus open loop is giving a reason to slow the process down further to investigate this alternative.

Pumps - Tunze and Ecotech will definitely be considered once I review the specs, input/output sizes, location of the sump to tank(s) and of course physical size configuration.

Skimmer - this is definitely my dilema. Manufactures should have factors of safety built in to their design. But I am of the opinion this "system" having approximately 460-500 gal and think a skimmer in the 1,000 gal range should be utilized.

 

[bleedingthought]

One thing you should consider is having the two tanks on separate systems. They can be side by side but each have their own sump and filtration and flow and whatever else. This, first of all, will ensure that you don't get contamination between the two (in the event of an ich outbreak, for example). Secondly, it might be cheaper when it comes to the equipment.

Something to think about.