Starting on 180 reef , running metal halides on the 125 now, want to change over to led's. Want to make sure to get enough light to the bottom, also have a 75 gal sump , not sure weather to run 2 pumps up or 1. The 180 is a corner flo pre-drilled.should i run external pump because of heat , or would 2 pumps in the sump be ok, need advice, thanks joehump
180 gallon reef setup, led lighting
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rayn
Bluefin Believer
If I run in tank or in sump returns, I like to run duals. If the case happens where one fails, there is still some return going back.
As far as lights, there are good high end brands and Chinese both that will hit the bottom with light. Just depends on what you are planning to keep in your tank and where. I was leery of the high end at one point. I tried the Chinese black boxes and they did okay. I went with Kessil for a bit and had three over a 120 and it gave growth to lps. I just picked up a hydra 26 and it is amazing the difference between the two and hands down above my black box ones. I guess it comes down to how much you want to spend. 180 would take three of whatever light you choose.
As far as lights, there are good high end brands and Chinese both that will hit the bottom with light. Just depends on what you are planning to keep in your tank and where. I was leery of the high end at one point. I tried the Chinese black boxes and they did okay. I went with Kessil for a bit and had three over a 120 and it gave growth to lps. I just picked up a hydra 26 and it is amazing the difference between the two and hands down above my black box ones. I guess it comes down to how much you want to spend. 180 would take three of whatever light you choose.
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I have a 180 with dual overflows and returns. I use 2 Lifegaurd aquatics submersible return pumps and 3 XR30's for lights.....I also have an Gyre 150 for flow...I run it at 50% and have tons of flow throughout the tank
I have a 210 with 4 cheap black boxes over it with SPS all the way to the bottom. I run ozone to keep the water crystal clear for light pentration. My cheap LED's needed the blue channel emitters replaced after three years though. They do have their limitations. I've been running the same single external return pump on my tank for 8 years.
