Trying out a 40 Breeder

Mr.Rocc · Mar 15, 2015

Well hello R2R!
So I posted a while back about making a 100+ gallon tank with my father and what not. However im very impatient and am going to start my own! Im going to do a 40 gallon breeder with a 20 gallon sump. I was thinking about some equipment and need some advice on the flow and lighting. Im thinking about starting with just soft corals and some fish but I will start off with an LED lighting fixture so I a move to sps however, will a Aqua illumination hydra twenty six. I want to keep it fairly cost friendly so if someone has any other options I would love to hear it. Now for my flow, im looking at getting 2 hydor koralia evolutions 1150gph and a Eheim Universal 160gph return pump. My sump will be directly below my tank about 2 foot underneath it.
Any help is worth it so if you could spread the knowledge and kind words that would be awesome!

NanaReefer · Mar 15, 2015

For lights check out the Reef Radiance DM-165p+
For flow I'd definitely go with the Gyre XF-130 or 2x Vortech MP10es or the Jebao's.
IMO that return pump will not be big enough. I'm running a 40B as well, my return is the Sicce Syncra 2.0 568gph, with head loss I get about 460gph.

Mr.Rocc · Mar 15, 2015

only problem Is is the mp10es are expensive that's why went with the hydors but I think im ganna take your advice with the return pump. How quite is the sicce 2.0? and if you could would you put out more gph?

cope413 · Mar 15, 2015

i too have a 40b setup and i went with the sicce 3. they are very quiet, worth the expense.

I would highly recommend getting more gph than you think you might need/want for 2 reasons

1) it's easy enough to limit or control flow if necessary. It's impossible to increase it if your pump is maxed.
2) if and when you upgrade, you won't necessarily need to buy a new return pump

Mr.Rocc · Mar 15, 2015

I was just looking at it now. I think for the extra 13$ im ganna grab the 3.0
Thanks for the thoughts and information! cope413 any idea on a decently "cheap"(under $400) LED light I can get? Nanareefer said Reef Radiance DM-165p+

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 15, 2015

I agree you should get a bigger pump and a ball or gate valve plumbed in, I would calculate head loss and try and match your pump speed slightly faster then your skimmer pump speed I run all of my tanks at 5x-6x tank volume per hour relying on circulation in the display rather than return pump for. Water movement but sump. Flow is a touchy topic. You will find u like your own speed for. Your specific circumstance and what your overflow can handle. Hydor will be fine.. Mp10 only push 1500gph per if I'm not. Mistaken at Max speed which I wouldn't run em at max all the time.. So your flow is very similar. Just without all the bells. And whistles just make sure to aquascaping and plan flow for different types of. Coral

Mr.Rocc · Mar 16, 2015

You mean a ball valve after the pump so I don't have the return siphoning back into my sump right?

cope413 · Mar 16, 2015

I also have reef radiance lights. Mine is an older model - 155e I think it was - but I've been very pleased. I wired it to be Apex controllable, but they have models that come apex ready now, so that's the way to go for a great value LED.

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 16, 2015

No like a ball or gate after the pump to control flow to tank.. Yes it will stop. Siphoning during maintenence!

cope413 · Mar 16, 2015

Use a check valve to prevent siphon. Use a ball or gate valve to control flow. If you want, you could use a check valve and a ball or gate valve on the same line. Check valves will slightly reduce flow but not a lot. They can also fail after time, so be sure to check them every 12-18 months.

Mr.Rocc · Mar 16, 2015

I just saw that on vivids youtube channel thank you guys for the advice!
Thanks again for taking time out and help me out!

Squid · Mar 16, 2015

Don't use a check valve on your return. It is much better without one. Just calculate the water volume level when the pump shuts off and siphons into sump.

cope413 · Mar 16, 2015

Not sure why you think a check valve is bad. It definitely is a good idea to leave room in the sump to allow for a pump failure and subsequent overflow, but they don't hurt anything and it's always a good idea to have some redundancy.

If for nothing else, I like having a check valve during feeding when I turn off pumps and close the drain.

Mr.Rocc · Mar 16, 2015

I would prefer a shut off valve on my return just so I know it wont syphon back down. But im going to run a gate valve after my return pump and one from my tank into the sump with unions

Squid · Mar 16, 2015

cope413 said:
Not sure why you think a check valve is bad. It definitely is a good idea to leave room in the sump to allow for a pump failure and subsequent overflow, but they don't hurt anything and it's always a good idea to have some redundancy.

If for nothing else, I like having a check valve during feeding when I turn off pumps and close the drain.

They are known to fail if not constantly maintained and cleaned. Much less hassle without one and much better flow from the pump.

Squid · Mar 16, 2015

Tail2112 said:
I would prefer a shut off valve on my return just so I know it wont syphon back down. But im going to run a gate valve after my return pump and one from my tank into the sump with unions

Ya I forgot to mention drilling a hole so it won't siphon. But ya this is much better than using a check valve IMO.

cope413 · Mar 16, 2015

If you're planning out your plumbing, I would also consider vinyl tubing instead of rigid PVC. I have most of my system plumbed with it and not only is it MUCH quieter, but you can easily see if there are any clogs or potential clogs forming, and since they make excellent seals on barbs, it's very easy to disassemble or change if you want to change or add to your plumbing setup. No glue necessary and the flexibility is nice in case everything isn't perfectly lined up.

Mr.Rocc · Mar 16, 2015

Ive heard that the connection is not as solid as rigid PVC. And I was planning on putting unions on the siphon from the tank and 2 on my ball valve going up the return
But if you they are softer ill take your word for it

NanaReefer · Mar 17, 2015

Tail2112 said:
only problem Is is the mp10es are expensive that's why went with the hydors but I think im ganna take your advice with the return pump. How quite is the sicce 2.0? and if you could would you put out more gph?

Then go for the Jebao pumps. Their WP10s are like $60 a piece.
No I would not put any more flow from my return. But that's my personal preference. As is, my return is in the corner and it easily shoots to the opposite end

The Sicce Syncra is a very quiet pump. 3' from my couch so it has to be