93 cube equipment selection

[Mav01]

So for my new rimless tank, I have decided to take my time and actually do a nice non-low-budget build. My question is for this Tank what is recommended for equipment. Can I go with MP10s or should I use MP 40s. What is recommended for the new DC pumps. As for life do the Kessil pendants put out enough light for this size of a tank and doing a mixed reef

 

[Anthony Wood]

Two Mp-10's will give you more then enough. I have 2 mp-40 QD's and can tell you a mp-40 will be too much. You could probable tune it down low enough but the biggest issue you'll run into because of the demensions of a cube is that you'll have a large hot spot of intense flow in front of the wetside where you won't be able to put corals. Two mp-10's will not only be enough but give you enough flow but also a lot more flexibility to play with flow patterns.

You can either go with a jebao return pump but you'll still be able to hear it. Your guests or family might not notice it because they aren't the ones maintaining the tank. I know that feeling ill hear even the faintest of noise and it'll bother me but no one else will hear it haha. If you want dead silent DC pump I highly recommend the ecotech vectra L1, I have one. Dead silent and as close to zero vibration as you can possibly get, zero vibration isn't possible with any pump. But the only way you'll be able to tell it is on, is by grabbing the plumbing right above the pump, I'm talking inches above the pump. You could go waveline but they whine like a *******! Also have one of those.

For lights if you want LED and like kessils light spectrum go with the AP700. You could also go with another top brand LED manufacturer I'm just a kessil person myself and haven't tried any other brands of LED's. If your not set on LED's go with a six bulb T5HO ATI Sunpower. I have a 60" six bulb ATI Sunpower over my all SPS tank and swear by T5's at least until the LED industry improves and can match the light of a good T5 fixture. Hope this helps.

 

[Mav01]

You aren't the first one to tell me that about t5s. I just like the idea of dimmable. I have been looking at ten the ecotech is a nice pump looks like.

 

[Anthony Wood]

You aren't the first one to tell me that about t5s. I just like the idea of dimmable. I have been looking at ten the ecotech is a nice pump looks like.

ATI and geissmann both sell dimmable T5HO fixtures. How dimmable the bulbs actually get...idk. They didnt have a 60" dimmable T5HO when I was in the market for a light or I would have gotten that. Still don't know if they make one in the 60" I know they make all the smaller sizes with a dimmable option.

I have had just about every in sump pump there is out there bob AC and DC except for the ones that cost $1k plus. The vectra is by far the best I've ever had for reasons listed. Not a doubt in my mind you would be happy also. My L1 fed a 220g SPS tank with plenty of turnover 40ft away up hill to switch to 5 ft vertical. My return had two 45 elbows, 9 90 elbows and 1 T fitting. I had to put the L1 on 100% for obvious reasons but still had enough output to handle all the overhead I had on it. The only reason I upgraded to the M1 is because I added a tank to the system which in return added more 90's and overhead and the L1 didn't have enough to have the turnover I wanted on both tanks.

 

[Mav01]

Just picked up a used L1 for 325 [emoji41]

 

[Drauka99]

I went with 6 t5s and a Kessil 360we over mine. Probably can just go with the Kessil till growth starts shading stuff and add t5s then

 

[Anthony Wood]

Correction on my post I always get the M1 and L1 mixed up which has more flow. So what I meant to say was I upgraded from the M1 to L1.

 

[Anthony Wood]

Just picked up a used L1 for 325 [emoji41]

You won't regret getting this pump!

 

[Mav01]

It's only running a 93 but I got one heck of a deal on it. How much sand should I be ordering?

 

[Anthony Wood]

It's only running a 93 but I got one heck of a deal on it. How much sand should I be ordering?

You'll be running that pump at its lowest setting lol worse case scenario that's even to much invest into a ball valve and put it on the return.

Here you go on the sand depth question....it's not going to be exact but it'll get you close enough on how much to order.

http://www.garf.org/calculators/SandBedCalculator.asp

How deep is your choice.

 

[Mav01]

Awesome I have been trying to find one of those. I'm thinking about 2 in deep, so 80lbs

 

[BPiers]

Just my .02 on dimmable fixtures. I had a dimmable ATI unit - 8 bulb, 48" on my old tank. Hated the dimmable option (sorry). It wasn't Apex compatible, and every single time the power flickered, I lost my settings on the unit. Sun power all the way!

 

[Mav01]

Just my .02 on dimmable fixtures. I had a dimmable ATI unit - 8 bulb, 48" on my old tank. Hated the dimmable option (sorry). It wasn't Apex compatible, and every single time the power flickered, I lost my settings on the unit. Sun power all the way!

I ended up getting a Radion xr30 pro gen 4

 

[BPiers]

can't go wrong there either! Following along!
Here's my 93 build thread https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/93-gallon-cube-build.226976/page-3