60 gallon rimless cube build

[Pielucha]

Hello Everyone,

Starting first reef aquarium after lifelong experience with freshwater setups. I bought a used RR Solana 60 gallon cube about a month ago and am anxiously waiting to fill it up.

The first thing that I wish to accomplish is the actual plumbing of the tank. The drain from the overflow box is already complete, but I have questions about setting up the return. The return pump that I have is a mag 9, but I don't know what size pvc to use for the return pipes. What would you guys recommend?

 

[charliethetuna88]

I just set one up for my bro same tank we used 3/4 return and 1" drain

 

[charliethetuna88]

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[charliethetuna88]

Another pic

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[charliethetuna88]

Pic 3 we are using the mag 9.5 to feed the return to the tank .I also made a manifold were there are 3 valves 1 carbon reactor ,1for gfo reactor and the last is a spare or it can be used to stir the sump up

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[Zuska]

nice job on the plumbing! keep it up lets see some water in that tank

 

[Pielucha]

Nice set up!! Im just wondering if 1'' pvc on the return would bring more flow to the tank? I was reading somewhere that 3/4'' maybe a little to small for a mag 9.5.
Appreciate the help guys!

 

[charliethetuna88]

It works fine I actually had to time the return down a bit cause the overflow can keep up with the pump

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[piranhapat]

Running that set up in my 90 gal. With same pump. Never had trouble. Just watch mag pumps for screw rusting.

 

[Nottick]

Nice set up!! Im just wondering if 1'' pvc on the return would bring more flow to the tank? I was reading somewhere that 3/4'' maybe a little to small for a mag 9.5.
Appreciate the help guys!

Hey welcome!

Glad your asking questions first before it's too late.

The reason oversizing the return actually reduces flow is as follows

Simple your adding more water volume which simulates a higher head. The byproduct of head height is decreased flow.

Many people prefer as few 90's to be used as possible which is why it may be beneficial to run spa-flex tubing or to use two 45's instead of one 90.
The more direct path the water can travel the less resistance which for arguments sake can simulate head height and reduce flow.

You have a great amount of resources to tap on staten island. Take advantage of it. Any help you need let me know

 

[Pielucha]

Thank you for the advice nottick. Happy to hear that I can get help from fellow Islanders =D

But anyways, I have just ordered a lot of my equipment, Here is what I got.

Lights-Radion LED
RO/DI-BRS 5 Stage PLUS RO/DI System 75 GDP (From bulkreef supply)
Powerhead-MP40
Skimmer-Reef Octopus 4" Needlewheel Skimmer
Reef Crystal Salt mix

Im so excited!!! Happy to get this in motion, my tank was collecting dust for a month now =O

 

[Nottick]

Thank you for the advice nottick. Happy to hear that I can get help from fellow Islanders =D

But anyways, I have just ordered a lot of my equipment, Here is what I got.

Lights-Radion LED
RO/DI-BRS 5 Stage PLUS RO/DI System 75 GDP (From bulkreef supply)
Powerhead-MP40
Skimmer-Reef Octopus 4" Needlewheel Skimmer
Reef Crystal Salt mix

Im so excited!!! Happy to get this in motion, my tank was collecting dust for a month now =O

Sounds like your off to a good start. I'll pm you my number so when everything is ready to go I can help if you want.

 

[Pielucha]

**UPDATE, Okay so I finally bought some live rock and plumbed the tank. Everything turned out really good. This week I will be getting the rest of my equipment. Cant wait to try the new radion LED fixture :smokin:

 

[marklugo23]

great start, i would change around the rock work a little bit, check out my thread

 

[Koolaidreef]

Try to add some caves here an there in the rockwork. Looking good. I ahve the same tank. If you want I still have the showpiece toucan use to feed this rock.

 

[Pielucha]

Yea the rock work will eventually change. Just had enough of the tank for one day, so I just stacked them up with little care. But really nice tank mark, I wonder if I could pull something like that in a 60g? ..................... Koolaidreef- You are a little to far haha, But I do need to find myself like 5lb of colorful live rock. I want that purple corraline algae. Looks really nice

 

[marklugo23]

I could help you out pm me your number

 

[kenconnect]

IMO I would have used the ball valve on the return not the drain. Or even a gate valve would be best.

 

[FMF0331]

...

I think this is the ball valve

 

[Pielucha]

Yep your right, that is a ball valve... First time plumbing so cut me some slack hahah