New Tank Build

[StevesReefhabit]

First i want to say i was into salt water tanks back in the 90's. I recently caught the bug again. I have been reading and watching videos for a few months now. Although i have learned a little bit i seem to be getting more confused as my research goes along. Possibly due to how many ways different tanks have been successful. No two tanks are alike.

My first constraint is my wife is not completely on board (yet) . After a couple of months of research i ran across a guy selling a Red Sea Reefer 250. He bought it along with Apex, Radion gen 3 x 2 (with the arms) Bubble Magus skimmer and a Ehime 3000 pump. He never opened the boxes and they sat in his house for almost 2 years. I talked her into letting me buy it for $1900.

I read many pros and cons to building a manifold and running everything off it . People say if your return pump goes out your in trouble. I was wondering if adding these things put more of a strain on the pump? Because if My main pump goes out with out a backup i am in trouble even if i dont run everything off of it. Everything is located in the sump area. I personally do not want to be running 5 different pumps.

Should i do this the best way i can from the start? or add stuff as i go along? Seems if i am going for stability then the reacting and adding later may lead to fluctuations. The wife was not happy when i told her i may need to spend another $1500 to get it going. And that is with out any critters in it... haha

 

[steelwrap]

Welcome to R2R. Those are nice tanks. I'll let the experts answer your questions

 

[dansreef]

Welcome to R2R! Others I am sure will chime in on the tank and the pump question.

I would suggest coming up with code when talking about aquarium expenses....or.... as a friend has, have a separate account where he stashes money for his tanks.... out of sight of prying eyes. LOL! I don't need to worry.....when I divorced 5 years ago.... I went big.... I converted the formal living room into a library for my 180 DT and a couple of chairs..... and haven't looked back! Of course.... I never share what I really spend with anyone....otherwise my kids may through me in the looney bin... I never spend more than $25 on fish and never more than that on corals either..... that is my official line anyways.... I have even heard of some stores willing to give you a receipt that is "wife friendly" and one for you....of course for a fee....

Welcome again! Looking forward to seeing pictures of your build.

 

[lapin]

Howdy

After a couple of months of research i ran across a guy selling a Red Sea Reefer 250. He bought it along with Apex, Radion gen 3 x 2 (with the arms) Bubble Magus skimmer and a Ehime 3000 pump. He never opened the boxes and they sat in his house for almost 2 years. I talked her into letting me buy it for $1900.
I read many pros and cons to building a manifold and running everything off it . People say if your return pump goes out your in trouble. I was wondering if adding these things put more of a strain on the pump? Because if My main pump goes out with out a backup i am in trouble even if i dont run everything off of it. Everything is located in the sump area. I personally do not want to be running 5 different pumps.

Running a manifold off the main pump is ok as long as it has the power to do it. Your pump has a 800 gph flow rate and a max head height of 8 feet. It will pump to the max it can and does not make a difference to the pump. What will happen is the tank turn over rate will fall as it has to push water to more things or higher. More elbows and piping = more head pressure.

Should i do this the best way i can from the start? or add stuff as i go along?

I would spend money as it is needed.....Because for some reason in this hobby,once you get hooked, a bigger tank is always in the back of everyone's mind.
If you plan on having reactors, such as Carbon and GFO (like 2 Little Fishes)I would get them as needed. Since you dont want to run more than 1 pump you could upgrade your pump if you find it is too weak. Or get a second pump for just them.

You could build the manifold now with a shut off valve and a union so if the main pump does not work out you could disconnect the manifold and use it with a different pump.

Your main pump will fail over time. At that time you get a bigger pump or .......

have a separate account where he stashes money for his tanks.... out of sight of prying eyes. LOL! I don't need to worry.....when I divorced 5 years ago.

hahahaha You dont want that to happen over a tank.

 

[StevesReefhabit]

I was considering a Cor 15 and another cheaper comparable pump for a mixing station/backup . I could probably get away with running it at around 75% since its around 1400gph. Not sure yet. If i build a manifold with 3 t's and cap it off i can always add later( and plenty of unions). The reefer 250 has some space restrictions in the sump . I would most likely hard plumb two reactors suspended.