New Tank Build...What Am I Missing

[808jaymakoa]

Well guys I started getting quotes on my second tank. I currently have a 55 gallon with no sump. I got into this hobby about 9 months ago and it's time to upgrade. I am wanting a 48" by 30" by 21" With center or corner overflow. I really want some width so I don't have the infamous back wall of rocks I always see and have now in my 55. I'm gonna do an island scape mixed reef with a few tangs so that they can swim around the island on the front or back side. This should allow tons of swimming room for them to be happy. I also will be putting in a zebra morey. I'm still looking for a sump with fuge so any suggestions would be nice. I have 2 jabao mp25 which should be more than enough flow. 2 reef Radience LED fixtures. Now the questions. Any suggestions are appreciated.

1) center or corner overflow? Is one more beneficial than the other? And is one overflow enough for that size tank?

2) how many tangs could I put in a tank this size? Tangs are my favorite fish.

3) what sump do you guys recommend or have had success? What sump set up is most beneficial?

4) the rock I got for my 55 came with tons of pests but also tons of great hitch hikers. One pest I've been fighting on my 55 has been green hair algae and I don't wanna deal with it this time.

5) what return pumps do you suggest and how many?

6) what light should I put over the sump?

7) what ro/di system do you recommend?

Thanks. I'll take tons of pics

 

[Arubix]

I'll answer question 7 since I don't feel like answering you in essay form.

I use the BRS 4 stage RO/DI system.

BRS 4 Stage Value PLUS RO/DI System - 75GPD - Bulk Reef Supply

It's a great filter and it comes with a TDS meter on it so you know if you're water is putting out Bantha PooDoo.

 

[Arubix]

Also, the light for the sump depends on what you are planning to put in the sump. When I had chaetomorpha in my sump, I just used a Home Depot LED high spectrum light which I think was around 5000k to 6000k but it was a shotty colored light but I got amazing growth out of my algae. But now I upgraded to mangroves a while back and those just live off my tank light cause they are sitting in my overflow.

 

[808jaymakoa]

Thank you arubix. I'll look into that ro/di system

 

[Spartachris]

I'll take one too. Tangs need a six foot tank, IMHO. So even a 125 is minimum. You can always get a small one and trade it when it gets bigger.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Spartachris]

Location of overflow varies. My 125 has corner, and I really like it. I think corners are less noticeable and obtrusive than center, but the bigger questions is how do you envision the aquascape? Do you plan on having a "rock wall"? Then maybe center is better. Two islands? Then corners would blend better. Also, many people are moving toward a "coast to coast" overflow with a beananimal drain. Maybe having no overflow is better for you?

As far as green hair, I'm struggling a bit with it right now. It happens. Look into an algae scrubber. The other issue is rocks leaching phosphate. Not much you can do about that. I'd rather have biodiversity and beneficial hitchhikers and have to deal with pests than having dead rock and a sterile tank, but that's me.

Great questions! You're really putting good thought into it.

 

[Arubix]

I agree with the two posts after my previous. Tangs require a big tank and I wouldn't put more than 2 small ones in the tank for the time being. Eventually you will have to trade up, sell or donate to a LFS.

And as far as question 5, I suppose it depends on how many pairs of drilled holes you have in the tank. Usually theres only one for that size of tank so you really only need 1 return pump.

And the Sump question... I would get whatever can fit under your stand. The bigger, the better. But make sure you get one that is capable of doing everything you want it to do so if you wanted a refugium then make sure there are 3 chambers(Return Pump, Skimmer, Refugium). But there are ways of doing all three of those in 2 chambers, it really just depends on what you want to do. Up to you though.