Build help/thoughts

Murph710 · Jan 28, 2019

Hello everyone,

This is what I am thinking for a build, been out of the hobby for a long time so any input would be great. Some of this may be overkill but would like to have bigger equipment if I upgrade tank. I have spent many hours already just reading post and it can be overwhelming with all the information here.

Tank 48x12x12 in a basement wall 33g - dual overflows, maybe not sure if necessary thoughts?
Sump - Icecap 36XL
Return pump - simplicity 1000
Skimmer - icecap K1 130
UV sterilizer - recommendations
Lighting - not sure Mostly fish with softies

All this is just an idea with nothing set in stone except for tank dims so any input for my success would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

vetteguy53081 · Jan 28, 2019

UV - Best is AquaUV
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TvanB1 · Jan 28, 2019

Murph710 said:
Hello everyone,

This is what I am thinking for a build, been out of the hobby for a long time so any input would be great. Some of this may be overkill but would like to have bigger equipment if I upgrade tank. I have spent many hours already just reading post and it can be overwhelming with all the information here.

Tank 48x12x12 in a basement wall 33g - dual overflows, maybe not sure if necessary thoughts?
Sump - Icecap 36XL
Return pump - simplicity 1000
Skimmer - icecap K1 130
UV sterilizer - recommendations
Lighting - not sure Mostly fish with softies

All this is just an idea with nothing set in stone except for tank dims so any input for my success would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

Welcome back!
Dual overflows won’t be necessary if you run 3/4” or 1” drains. UV sterilizers are unnecessary IMO. They are pricey and don’t offer much in return unless they are massively oversized. I would invest elsewhere, possibly in a reactor, as carbon is far more effective at clearing up your water. Softies don’t need anything fancy as far as lighting goes. Cheap T5 fixtures, black box leds, and orbit marine are a couple of the lower budget options. If you are looking for more controllability, kessils have worked great for me in the past with lps/softies.

Murph710 · Jan 28, 2019

Thanks for the input so far everyone. My last tank I had both a UV sterilizer and a skimmer and to be honest the skimmer was a pain in the butt. I will need to do research on reactors. I wanted to go with the icecap 36XL so I can run a Refugium in the additional compartment, I had one of them running in my past life.

More research for me, thank you.

Murph710 · Jan 28, 2019

Can’t figure out how to quote but i would think a single overflow I would run 2 - 1 inch drains with a 3/4 return to tank.

Jim

TvanB1 · Jan 29, 2019

Murph710 said:
Can’t figure out how to quote but i would think a single overflow I would run 2 - 1 inch drains with a 3/4 return to tank.

Jim

That’ll work. If you don’t already have the tank drilled modular marine makes an excellent overflow box. Makes plumbing easy since the 1600gph model already comes with 1” drains. Also gives you the ability to run an emergency overflow.