Pump and skimmer ideas

gradth · 03/06/2009, 08:49 PM

Im setting up my new tank.

180 gallon w/dual corner overflows. 72x24x24
55 gal sump/refugium.

Im looking for recommendations on pumps and skimmers.

Not sure about internal or external pumps. Since my overflows both have a return and an intake, should I run 2 pumps, or just one good one?

Also, is 3 175watt MH's ok for a 24 inch deep tank?

Trying to find out as much as I can before I start ordering my parts.

kraze3 · 03/06/2009, 09:02 PM

Heard great things about octopus and MSX skimmers

I would run one pump, split to both inputs and then have the two drais draining back to sump/fuge. I dont know much about too many diff pumps so someone else will have to help you with that.

swpassion · 03/06/2009, 09:13 PM

Just got a Aqua Euro 250 skimmer and i works well, might be better out there but did not want to re-finance the house, so for the money I am VERY happy. I has 2 590 gph needle wheel pumps, the only thing I really wish it had was a drain fitting from the collection cup.

jhoff · 03/06/2009, 09:33 PM

You can look into vertex IN-180 good skimmers and won't break the bank

gradth · 03/07/2009, 01:38 AM

Thanks folks, this is the input im looking for.

reefscape15 · 03/07/2009, 06:36 AM

I would opt for 250watt MH bulbs over 175. You would be ok with 175s but may not be able to have SPS in the lower half of the tank. 250s can penetrate up to about 28", so you could keep SPS anywhere you'd like.

gradth · 03/07/2009, 12:28 PM

So on a six foot tank would 3 250's be good or overkill? Also, I know you dont run MH's all day, would you suggest t-5's or PC's as secondary lighting?

reefscape15 · 03/07/2009, 05:20 PM

Not overkill at all. Pretty much the wattage of your MH has to do with the depth of your tank. In my LFS they have a 180gal standard tank with 2 250watt MH, 1 400watt MH, and 6 VHO's. It's a lot of light, but nothing is bleached ever. I personally like T-5s over PC's mostly due to the fact that you can get more color options and individual reflectors

gradth · 03/07/2009, 05:50 PM

Do I need 3, or would 2 be ok? I dont plan on getting into extreme corals anytime soon, I want to wait until my tank is up and running for quite a while before I start investing in them. Mostly fish, some small polyps and such, shrimp. Once I have things going well I start adding corals.

Im trying to decide between buying a complete unit with everything included or going retrofit. I like the ease of just plugging a unit in, but cost has me a bit set back.

Can someone tell me all that would be needed to go with a retrofit?

gradth · 03/08/2009, 05:28 PM

SO i ordered a

ASM G-3 skimmer
and a
Gen x PCX-70 pump.

Remarkably I could not beat my LFS price with shipping so I ordered it from him.

Next, comes the lighting.

03/06/2009, 08:49 PM	#1
gradth Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 517	Pump and skimmer ideas Im setting up my new tank. 180 gallon w/dual corner overflows. 72x24x24 55 gal sump/refugium. Im looking for recommendations on pumps and skimmers. Not sure about internal or external pumps. Since my overflows both have a return and an intake, should I run 2 pumps, or just one good one? Also, is 3 175watt MH's ok for a 24 inch deep tank? Trying to find out as much as I can before I start ordering my parts.

03/06/2009, 09:13 PM	#3
swpassion Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 229	Just got a Aqua Euro 250 skimmer and i works well, might be better out there but did not want to re-finance the house, so for the money I am VERY happy. I has 2 590 gph needle wheel pumps, the only thing I really wish it had was a drain fitting from the collection cup. __________________ "it is not the days in our lives that matter, but the life in our days" Current Tank Info: 210 RR, 75, 26 bowfront

03/07/2009, 01:38 AM	#5
gradth Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 517	Thanks folks, this is the input im looking for. __________________ Josh Click on the redhouse for my 180 build. Current Tank Info: 180 gallon pennisula reef

03/07/2009, 06:36 AM	#6
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	I would opt for 250watt MH bulbs over 175. You would be ok with 175s but may not be able to have SPS in the lower half of the tank. 250s can penetrate up to about 28", so you could keep SPS anywhere you'd like. __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

03/07/2009, 12:28 PM	#7
gradth Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 517	So on a six foot tank would 3 250's be good or overkill? Also, I know you dont run MH's all day, would you suggest t-5's or PC's as secondary lighting? __________________ Josh Click on the redhouse for my 180 build. Current Tank Info: 180 gallon pennisula reef

03/06/2009, 09:02 PM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	Heard great things about octopus and MSX skimmers I would run one pump, split to both inputs and then have the two drais draining back to sump/fuge. I dont know much about too many diff pumps so someone else will have to help you with that.

03/06/2009, 09:33 PM	#4
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	You can look into vertex IN-180 good skimmers and won't break the bank

03/07/2009, 05:20 PM	#8
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Not overkill at all. Pretty much the wattage of your MH has to do with the depth of your tank. In my LFS they have a 180gal standard tank with 2 250watt MH, 1 400watt MH, and 6 VHO's. It's a lot of light, but nothing is bleached ever. I personally like T-5s over PC's mostly due to the fact that you can get more color options and individual reflectors __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

03/07/2009, 05:50 PM	#9
gradth Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 517	Do I need 3, or would 2 be ok? I dont plan on getting into extreme corals anytime soon, I want to wait until my tank is up and running for quite a while before I start investing in them. Mostly fish, some small polyps and such, shrimp. Once I have things going well I start adding corals. Im trying to decide between buying a complete unit with everything included or going retrofit. I like the ease of just plugging a unit in, but cost has me a bit set back. Can someone tell me all that would be needed to go with a retrofit? __________________ Josh Click on the redhouse for my 180 build. Current Tank Info: 180 gallon pennisula reef

03/08/2009, 05:28 PM	#10
gradth Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 517	SO i ordered a ASM G-3 skimmer and a Gen x PCX-70 pump. Remarkably I could not beat my LFS price with shipping so I ordered it from him. Next, comes the lighting. __________________ Josh Click on the redhouse for my 180 build. Current Tank Info: 180 gallon pennisula reef