Equipment Suggestions??

[DisneyMatt10]

Hey everyone!!

As you may noticed, I am very new here! I'm in the process of setting up my 65 gallon reef tank, which includes a 55 gallon sump system. I have both of the tanks, and we are working on building a custom stand for the setup.

So my question to you all is . . . Can you all suggest so equipment for me to use!?

Items I am still in need of:

- Heaters
- Coolers(?)
- HOB Drain from Display Tank To Sump Tank
- Return Pump from Sump To Display Tank. (The height difference between the pump, and the water re-entering the Display Tank is going to be about 7ft.)
- LED Lights

If you all could make any suggestions on brands of these items, and maybe how well they have worked for you... any issues you may have had... things like that, I'll be very thankful!

Thanks in advance,
~ Matt

 

[BoneXriffic]

Gonna need a solid pump for that lift. How many gph are you shooting for? And as for lighting i perfer the MH do i cant help.

I dont see much need for a chiller on that setup.

I use an eco793 pump and its been running strong for 2 years now. Im sure people know better brands tho

 

[DisneyMatt10]

How many gph are you shooting for?

I'm not sure what an ideal GPH would be... Suggestion?!
~Matt

 

[Vaiodude]

Welcome to the forum Matt!!

If I were you I would look into drilling your tank to put in an in tank overflow. It will be quieter, more reliable and better looking.

As far as heaters personally I use aqueon heaters combined with a finnex heat controller. I set the aqueon just above the set point for the controller. This way both devices would have to fail in order for there to be a major issue. I replace my heaters once every two years or so just to be on the safe side.

As far as a chiller I don't think you would necessarily need one. Especially with LED lighting which is much cooler than the halides that folks used in the past.

Eheim pumps seem to be the way to go for reliability and performance.

I have always been a T5 guy for my main lighting and just started supplementing with LED for more color pop. I can say that I have used the Reefbreeders fixtures and they are economical, easy to program and grow coral well.

Take your time and do all the research and things will go well. Oh yea and the most important thing is.....patience! LOL

 

[DisneyMatt10]

If I were you I would look into drilling your tank to put in an in tank overflow. It will be quieter, more reliable and better looking.

We've looked at drilling the tank, however since it is a tempered glass tank... I don't think we will be able to drill it.

As far as heaters personally I use aqueon heaters combined with a finnex heat controller. I set the aqueon just above the set point for the controller. This way both devices would have to fail in order for there to be a major issue...

Awesome, for sure something for me to look into. I had no idea about the heat controller I'll have too look into those!

As far as a chiller I don't think you would necessarily need one. Especially with LED lighting which is much cooler than the halides that folks used in the past.

Good to know! While I am cycling the tank I'll keep an eye on the temperature and see if it looks like a chiller will be needed before I go out and buy one!

Take your time and do all the research and things will go well. Oh yea and the most important thing is.....patience! LOL

I'm quickly learning patience with this hobby. It feel like a whole lot of "Hurry up and wait!"

Thanks for the feedback on all the items, I'll look into the pump you mentioned as well as the lights!
~Matt

 

[Vaiodude]

Yea with the tempered glass you are kinda stuck with the external overflow.

The finnex digital heat controller you can get on Amazon for around $45 and an aqueon 300 watt heater for around $25. The controller will do a great job keeping your tank at a steady temperature. A full blown tank controller such as an Apex will do this as well, but the cost is much more...

 

[BoneXriffic]

I'm not sure what an ideal GPH would be... Suggestion?!
~Matt

I am turning over the tank 10x per hour through the sump. Ive been told.it could be a bit much but it stays clean so... i think 5x over is a decent number

 

[DisneyMatt10]

I am turning over the tank 10x per hour through the sump. Ive been told.it could be a bit much but it stays clean so... i think 5x over is a decent number

Awesome! Thanks! That gives me an idea on where to start looking at pumps. Making sure they can pump that much as high up as I need it pumped!
~ Matt

 

[mcarroll]

[...]I'm in the process of setting up my 65 gallon reef tank, which includes a 55 gallon sump system. [...]

Items I am still in need of:

- Heaters
- Coolers(?)
- HOB Drain from Display Tank To Sump Tank
- Return Pump from Sump To Display Tank. (The height difference between the pump, and the water re-entering the Display Tank is going to be about 7ft.)
- LED Lights

Thankfully there are lots of good options for most equipment these days, but I'll give you some of my preferences.

Heat: Marinland glass heaters; Eheim Jagger heaters
Drain: Tunze, Lifereef or Aqueon
Return Pump: Quiet One
Lighting: DIY is by far the most cost effective, if that matters. Assuming your 65 is mostly-rectangular in shape, I think you'll find the light from a strip-style fixture like the Orbit Marine Pro better than the shoebox-type lights that emulate something more like halide light, with some fairly sharp shadowing.

I use an eco793 pump and its been running strong for 2 years now.

Eco+ is my current favorite "off brand" pump...I use them for some smaller non-duty tasks.

I'm not sure what an ideal GPH would be... Suggestion?!
~Matt

Mind you, we're talking about actual flow or an estimate that includes the drag induced from most of the plumbing

2x - 4x your display is generally good. Maybe 5x to allow for crud blocking pipes and outlets over time...

So:

65 gallons
x2
= 130 GPH

x4
= 260 GPH

A QuietOne 2200 should do the trick admirably enough!
http://www.lifegardaquatics.com/products/

 

[zoomonster]

I am turning over the tank 10x per hour through the sump. Ive been told.it could be a bit much but it stays clean so... i think 5x over is a decent number

Yeah a lot of people say 10x but I always suggest (and use myself) 5x for better contact time in sump for skimmer, refuge etc. Like I always say most of the flow belongs in the tank provided by power heads etc.

 

[DisneyMatt10]

^^ & ^ Thank you both for the feedback! The pump, and overflow box I purchased today will be able to to provide well more GPH than I will need, however they are both adjustable so I should be able to get the perfect GPH up and running!

~Matt