Big Build - Overengineered - Thoughts

[xevox]

Hi Everyone,

Long time reader, First time poster, Usually I give a long background story but on other forums I guess that's why I never get a response.

Need some direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

Build
Tank 6x2x2
sump 4'x18"x18"
Refugium 1x1x1 (If I choose external)

Key Requirements
- Silent
- no powerheads unless hidden behind rock for dead spot control
- Mixed coral & Fish

Stand

I plan to make out of 6x2 pine, with a side cabinet to accommodate a tall skimmer (if) required

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156940974@N08/25914590477/in/dateposted-public/" title="stand"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4780/25914590477_3d1cb535e6_b.jpg" width="845" height="679" alt="stand"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tank

This will consist of two internal overflows each side of the back panel. There will be 3 pump returns, two by high flows the center return low flow due to manifold for skimmer, reactors, refugium if external.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156940974@N08/38975893310/in/dateposted-public/" title="front"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4773/38975893310_fbe0705fac_b.jpg" width="692" height="701" alt="front"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Overflows
Beananimal 1 1/2" bulkheads - Trying to workout if I direct each overflow plumbing in to a return manifold if it will defeat the purpose of the plumbing design. I will keep the emergency overflows in a separate manifold.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156940974@N08/40786025551/in/dateposted-public/" title="overflow"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4772/40786025551_8a356993b3_b.jpg" width="794" height="701" alt="overflow"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sump

Intake will be into filter socks, overflow in to bio balls, and chemical filtration, overflow in to skimmer if internal or refugium if internal still trying to work this part out.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156940974@N08/40744034932/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sump"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4795/40744034932_efe48fde53_b.jpg" width="827" height="569" alt="Sump"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pumps
2 x 4700 gallon / 18000L pumps with wave controllers
1 x 2300 gallon / 9000L pump for accessories

Lights
Sort of undecided may go metal halides or home made highoutput T5 setup with mixture of 24w and 54w globes

Skimmer
Undecided

Please let me know your thoughts

Happy Reefing

 

[ihavecrabs]

Hi Everyone,

Long time reader, First time poster, Usually I give a long background story but on other forums I guess that's why I never get a response.

Need some direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

Build
Tank 6x2x2
sump 4'x18"x18"
Refugium 1x1x1 (If I choose external)

Key Requirements
- Silent
- no powerheads unless hidden behind rock for dead spot control
- Mixed coral & Fish

Stand

I plan to make out of 6x2 pine, with a side cabinet to accommodate a tall skimmer (if) required

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156940974@N08/25914590477/in/dateposted-public/" title="stand"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4780/25914590477_3d1cb535e6_b.jpg" width="845" height="679" alt="stand"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tank

This will consist of two internal overflows each side of the back panel. There will be 3 pump returns, two by high flows the center return low flow due to manifold for skimmer, reactors, refugium if external.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156940974@N08/38975893310/in/dateposted-public/" title="front"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4773/38975893310_fbe0705fac_b.jpg" width="692" height="701" alt="front"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Overflows
Beananimal 1 1/2" bulkheads - Trying to workout if I direct each overflow plumbing in to a return manifold if it will defeat the purpose of the plumbing design. I will keep the emergency overflows in a separate manifold.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156940974@N08/40786025551/in/dateposted-public/" title="overflow"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4772/40786025551_8a356993b3_b.jpg" width="794" height="701" alt="overflow"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sump

Intake will be into filter socks, overflow in to bio balls, and chemical filtration, overflow in to skimmer if internal or refugium if internal still trying to work this part out.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156940974@N08/40744034932/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sump"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4795/40744034932_efe48fde53_b.jpg" width="827" height="569" alt="Sump"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pumps
2 x 4700 gallon / 18000L pumps with wave controllers
1 x 2300 gallon / 9000L pump for accessories

Lights
Sort of undecided may go metal halides or home made highoutput T5 setup with mixture of 24w and 54w globes

Skimmer
Undecided

Please let me know your thoughts

Happy Reefing

Awesome stand design. It looks very clean.

I'm a T5 guy myself but then again I have never tried mh. Most of the diy builds I see struggle to get the same PAR output as an equally sized ATI fixture. This is probably due to all the R&D that went into reflector placement, heat management, etc. Might be worth picking up a NIB SunPower dented unit for 25% off from their website.

Good luck with the build!

And most importantly, Welcome!

 

[graffitireef]

A couple things Im concerned with is having no powerheads and the use of bioballs. It was my understanding that bioballs are not ideal for marine aquariums. Also, besides the water going in and out of the sump, do you think thats enough water movement to not use powerheads?

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Looks good. You could add a gyre for more flow.

 

[xevox]

Awesome stand design. It looks very clean.

I'm a T5 guy myself but then again I have never tried mh. Most of the diy builds I see struggle to get the same PAR output as an equally sized ATI fixture. This is probably due to all the R&D that went into reflector placement, heat management, etc. Might be worth picking up a NIB SunPower dented unit for 25% off from their website.

Good luck with the build!

And most importantly, Welcome!

Cheers mang, we are off to a great start with this forum. Tried replying but it wouldnt accept my passwords.

A couple things Im concerned with is having no powerheads and the use of bioballs. It was my understanding that bioballs are not ideal for marine aquariums. Also, besides the water going in and out of the sump, do you think thats enough water movement to not use powerheads?

My train of thought is is 11000 gallon /40000 liters on controllers creating wave making pulses is amazing flow. It will end up with headloss about a 30x true turn / flow tank.

Where i get deadspots behind my rocks i will happily put powerheads.

Looks good. You could add a gyre for more flow.