Getting ready to order a new custom tank.

[Smprc]

Hello everyone and a thank you in advance for any advice.
I am returning to the hobby. I was in the hobby for several years and had to leave the hobby 15 years ago. My my, how things have changed. It is truly unbelievable and extremely exciting at the same time to see so much change. First of all, one thing I am doing this time around is reading and watching and I have grown to enjoy patience. With that said, I have always wanted a reef tank even when I started in the hobby with my 50 gallon hand me down acrylic tank.

Now I am 100% sure I want glass and also bigger. Not just because it looks amazing but quite honestly, I remember that maintaining stable parameters was a little easier with larger water volumes. Plus I have a home, space, time and a little bit of money (an unfortunate prerequisite of the hobby).

So hear goes...
I have a couple quotes one from reefsavvy and another from AGE for a 72 x 24 x 24 rimless tank.

My real question at the moment is about AGE's PVC bottom Vs. reefsavvy's "phantom or standard" bottom. Does anyone know if there truly is a difference? Is PVC ok? Will I regret that? Yes reefsavvy tanks are amazing but they are pricey..etc.

#2. The overflow will be placed on one of the 24 x 24 sides. It will be external, shadow or ghost overflow. However it's the returns that have me puzzled. The tank will be visible from all 4 sides and I will have external plumbing, not exactly pleasant to look at. Can I run one return or are more required/recommended? I am aiming to maintain a 1000GPH flow rate from overflow to return. How did I come up with that number? Some forum recommended a turnover of 4 times tank volume. Yes powerheads will be added in the tank. I am just asking regarding the return.

I know these seem trivial but aesthetics are important considering the placement of the tank. Plus this also determines how the stand will be made.

Thank you all!

 

[dragon99]

A single return will be fine for that flow rate, but might require 1" depending on the pump you choose.

Have you considered a center overflow?

 

[Smprc]

Hello Dragon99, when you say center are you referring to placing it in the middle of the tank, thus cutting down into the floor of the tank? Assuming you have, I guess I just didn't like the look of a box in the middle of the tank to be honest. And if you meant the center of one of the long sides 72 x 24, then I feel that would not be nice looking considering the tank is visible from all 4 sides. Did I understand what you meant?

I am ok with 1" return if that will suffice. I don't anticipate cutting any corners but at the same time I am a conscientious buyer

 

[dragon99]

I meant something like this. You might have to adjust the dimensions a bit though to have enough room around the tank. It works better on a cube sized tank.

 

[Smprc]

I see what you mean. I just didn't want a box in the middle of the tank. I wanted to keep that open. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Griff]

I'm not sure 1000 gph is enough. I have my reefer 525 at that. I thought it should be more like 7-10 times gph.

 

[Smprc]

Are you referring to the flow "IN" the tank? The 1000 gph is referring to the flow just from overflow to return? Are you implying that my return pump should move approximately 1400 - 2000 gph plus powerhead flow in tank?

 

[Griff]

I'm just going off what I did with mine and what I remember reading.


http://www.reefaquarium.com/2012/the-importance-of-water-flow-and-movement-2/

How Much Flow and Movement do I Need ?

This is one topic that has many, many, many different “rules of thumb”. Factors that you have to take into account are the types of fish and corals that you will be keeping and how you stack your live rock in your aquarium. The total amount of flow is usually summarized by stating how many times per hour the total volume of water in the display tank is moved. For example, if you have 1000 GPH of flow in a 100 gallon tank, you will have 10 times flow, or 10X. Based on everything that I have read and tried in both of my current reef tanks, I would suggest using around 50X flow for a reef tank with SPS, and around 30X flow for non-SPS reef and FOWLR set-ups as your starting point and increasing it from there were you can. I will share two examples of what I have done near the end of this article.

NOTE: You cannot use any rule of thumb if you are keeping any type of fish or coral that require a specific flow rate. Seahorses for example require very low flow and will not survive in a tank with even moderate flow.

 

[Smprc]

Ok...I totally understand that ultimately the flow will be determined on what livestock I keep, I understand that. My original question still stands...am I ok with ONE return pipe or will I need more? Considering that the flow is determined by the pump and the head loss.

 

[ReeferDave01]

I have a 72x24x30 tank with vectra m1 DC pump running at 20% with more than plenty return. I have 2 returns. Cannot hear the pump

 

[Griff]

I have a 72x24x30 tank with vectra m1 DC pump running at 20% with more than plenty return. I have 2 returns. Cannot hear the pump

I use the same pump and love it. Can't go wrong with a vectra.

 

[Smprc]

I was considering that Vectra pump as well believe it or not. Interestingly enough. I used one of those "reef" calculators to help calculate head loss. Based on my initial run, which takes into account vertical climb, horizontal length and of course pipe size...it estimated that I was going to have approximately 8.5 feet of head pressure, which when you compare that to the vectra M1 pump it would put me at approximately 1000GPH. I might be wrong or way over thinking this, but if I will be feeding other equipment from this return line then I would inevitably lose more flow, as the 8.5 feet of pressure isn't taking that into account. Thoughts?

On another note, I was recommended another tank builder and will be getting a 3rd quote. The whole "PVC" bottom was not convincing me. Although truth be told, I have no reason to believe that it would be problematic, but something about having a glass bottom makes me feel "safer".