New Set Up

KPeak12 · Feb 27, 2017

120reefkeeper said:
I once had a system setup like this. I had my sump in the basement on a stand just like a normal tank. It took about 3 feet of that would be head pressure out of the way and I was left with 4 feet of vertical height to deal with. I ended up using a mag drive pump.

You can see with this chart that you'll probably want to go with either a mag 9.5 or mag 12.

You could do what I did and split the returns and run 2 pumps , one pump for each side . I had some pretty good flow

I found this Danner Mag12 pump for $110.00 new...thoughts?

120reefkeeper · Feb 27, 2017

KPeak12 said:
I found this Danner Mag12 pump for $110.00 new...thoughts?

That's a good price and it will work. [emoji12]

Those mag drive pumps are work horses! I've had several of them for years. Nice find!

120reefkeeper · Feb 27, 2017

KPeak12 said:
These are the lights I am looking at...thoughts?

72" Metal Halide + T5 1070W
This MH + T5 72” is THE reefer’s light. A space saving combo unit combines 3x 250W HQI metal halide, 4x 80W Actinic Blue T5 HO lamps, and 6x Bluemoon LED into one single unit. This unit also features external HQI controller, heavy duty cooling fan, mounting legs, and anodized aluminum housing. Separate power cords for MH and T5. Multiple power switches for different functions.
Features:

Dimensions - 71.50” x 13.75” x 3.00”

Dimensions w/brackets - 72.00” x 17.25” x 6.00”

Supports 3x 250W Metal Halide DE FC2 lamps

Supports 4x 80W T5 High Output (HO) lamps

Supports 6x dual Bluemoon LED

7x Power Switch (3x MH, 2x T5, 1x LED, 1x Fan)

5x Power Cord (3x MH, 1x T5, 1x LED)

External HQI controllers

Internal T5 HO fluorescent ballasts

Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing

Heavy duty cooling fan

Glass splash guard

Mounting legs

Standard T5 sockets

Double Ended FC2 HQI sockets

Highly polished reflector

CE Certified

Listing includes:

1x MH/T5 fixture and all ballasts

1x Mounting Leg Set

3x MH 250W 15000K

4x 80W T5 Actinic Blue

6x Dual LED

I've got a 48" version of this. They work really well! You can also get a hanging kit off EBAY.

You'll definitely want to change out the bulbs it comes with. They are junk.

Look at ATI for the t5 bulbs and check out Giesemann for the Halide bulbs. [emoji6]

The halides do put off some heat but they aren't that terrible. I control mine with fans. This light also comes with the ballast.

Good choice for a budget. You'll be able to grow whatever corals you want. [emoji4]