Setting up 37 g and 90 g tanks. Equipment advice needed by Village Idiot

NaCL Aquarist · 02/27/2011, 05:37 PM

I am a complete tyro when it comes to salt water aquariums. Next week, we will set up a 37 g QT with fluval canister filter, and a 90 g main tank with ASM G2 protein skimmer and 30 g sump. Plan to set up the 90 with 75 # of cured LR. Initially, these will be FOWLR systems. But...hoping to move on to corals.

Have already bought heaters for both tanks. Have a 300 watt heater for the 90. Also have, in hand, a 1400 gph Koralia evolution powerhead for the 90.
Bought two 32 g Rubbermaid trash cans in which to cure LR, and mix salt.

Would it be best to buy an additional 300 watt heater to use in one of the trash cans? I could have this as a back up to the main tank heater, if it fails. What size powerhead could I use in the 37 g tank, if any? Also use it in the garbage can for salt mixing? Any advice on adding powerheads to either tank, or buying additional equipment would be appreciated. Need other "go-alongs" for our tanks? This is all clear as mud t'me. Thanks.

patsfan1130 · 02/27/2011, 06:40 PM

2 heaters are always best for redundancy. I recommend using a temp controller such as a Ranco. Controlling temp is paramount and relying on a heater's internal thermostat to do this is a disaster in the making. You don't need a PH for the QT IMO. The filter will suffice. As for PH in the display...I've never owned a Koralia so I cannot comment on them. Once you move on to corals however,,definately look at the Tunze or Vortech line. I own Vortech exclusively and coulldnt imagine running anything different.

NaCL Aquarist · 02/27/2011, 07:00 PM

Thanks...Patsfan for the input on the temp controller, etc. Unfamiliar with Ranco. Will Google the controller. If I don't need a PH for the QT, what size would you recommend for mixing salt in a 32 gallon trash can? A cheap pump may work better?

patsfan1130 · 02/27/2011, 07:05 PM

I personally use a brute trash can for mixing my water (most of us veterans do) and I keep a mag 5 in it full time to keep the water circulated

Look here for the controller

http://www.etcsupply.com/

Virtuoso · 02/27/2011, 08:39 PM

Question, why use a Ranco ($90?) when a RKL is not much more? Just wondering if there is something missing.

NaCL Aquarist · 02/27/2011, 08:41 PM

Thanks for the tip re the Mag 5 pump, and the link for the controller. Sounds like a grand idea. For a "backup thermometer", do you have a preference for a particular brand? Any of these things more more reliable than another? If the heaters fail,..my whole tank can fail. Scary t'me.

patsfan1130 · 02/27/2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virtuoso

Question, why use a Ranco ($90?) when a RKL is not much more? Just wondering if there is something missing.

Personally...I would never rely on a reef controller to regulate my tank's temp. A controller has way too much going on 24/7...therefore far too much room for error. A Ranco does 1 thing and 1 thing only. These controllers are used for industrial heating / cooling purposes and they do it flawlessly. Honestly..In my 20 years in this hobby I have never heard of an instance where a Ranco failed. Don't get me wrong..I own 3 RKE...I just don't rely on them to controll my tanks temps.

Regarding a backup thermometer...I rely on a good ol' fashioned thermometer. You cant go wrong with them

Virtuoso · 02/27/2011, 08:56 PM

[Edit: Nevermind, you said thermometer. I'm an idiot. Ignore below.]

Well, one of the theories behind getting 2 underpowered heaters is that if one fails you have time to catch it. A 50% underpowered heater is not going to cook a tank if stuck in the on position. One recommendation I see a lot around here is the Eheim Jager.

NaCL Aquarist · 02/27/2011, 09:01 PM

The Village Idiot would like to edit the last post. I meant brand of HEATER...not thermometer. Maybe, hmmmm, I should only do one thing at a time? Duh. Appreciated your comment anyway. I will be very happy for any additional input.

NaCL Aquarist · 02/27/2011, 09:04 PM

Virtuoso... YOU are NOT the idiot. Thanks, for the comments re the Eheim Jager.

patsfan1130 · 02/27/2011, 09:12 PM

Jager is an extremely reliable heater. I have been using those and the ViaAqua Titanium heaters on 2 of my tanks for years and I have zero complaints. Of course I use Ranco controllers with every heater I use.

Virtuoso...2 underpowered heater is indeed a good idea for the reasons you already outlined.

NaCL Aquarist · 02/27/2011, 09:23 PM

Thanks..Both...for the additional heater info. Still embarrassed over my typing/brain-escape. (can we have an acronym for "Brain Dead"?). Stuck in the "On" mode with a large heater certainly might give us poached fish for dinner? A controller would not allow this to happen?

patsfan1130 · 02/27/2011, 09:36 PM

The mind set is you have a better chance of walking out your front door and getting struck by lightning than both of your heaters failing in the "on" position.

And yes...A Ranco would would prevent this from happening

NaCL Aquarist · 02/27/2011, 09:53 PM

Again...appreciate your input, patsfan. Makes sense (even t'me) that having two heaters governing a closed marine space could save me bacon and me fish. A controller sounds like a very good idea. Do you "hide" both heaters in your sump? Appearance in the tank counts for us. Will have a Magdrive 18 pump below the 38 inch stand for the 90 g. Did I "overdo" the pump? Can I put two heaters in the 30 gallon sump and not create any issues with the main tank? Should one of the heaters be in the tank?

As I typed before: Call me an Idiot.

Virtuoso · 02/27/2011, 10:03 PM

The mag18 is total overkill on a 90g tank. There may be a way to dial it back. If not it will not work. Too much flow and your overflow won't be able to keep up. You have 1 overflow down to the sump?

patsfan1130 · 02/27/2011, 10:03 PM

A mag 18???? wow! On my 90 I run a mag 5 for a return. Are you using any additional PH for flow?

Regarding the heater placement...I personally run 1 in the sump and 1 in the overflow. This way if the one in the sump dies..the one in the overflow has me covered..if the one in the overflow dies..well...you get my point

Virtuoso · 02/27/2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsfan1130

Regarding the heater placement...I personally run 1 in the sump and 1 in the overflow.

That is a great idea on the heater in the overflow. I may steal that idea from you.

02/27/2011, 05:37 PM	#1
NaCL Aquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 61	Setting up 37 g and 90 g tanks. Equipment advice needed by Village Idiot I am a complete tyro when it comes to salt water aquariums. Next week, we will set up a 37 g QT with fluval canister filter, and a 90 g main tank with ASM G2 protein skimmer and 30 g sump. Plan to set up the 90 with 75 # of cured LR. Initially, these will be FOWLR systems. But...hoping to move on to corals. Have already bought heaters for both tanks. Have a 300 watt heater for the 90. Also have, in hand, a 1400 gph Koralia evolution powerhead for the 90. Bought two 32 g Rubbermaid trash cans in which to cure LR, and mix salt. Would it be best to buy an additional 300 watt heater to use in one of the trash cans? I could have this as a back up to the main tank heater, if it fails. What size powerhead could I use in the 37 g tank, if any? Also use it in the garbage can for salt mixing? Any advice on adding powerheads to either tank, or buying additional equipment would be appreciated. Need other "go-alongs" for our tanks? This is all clear as mud t'me. Thanks.

02/27/2011, 06:40 PM	#2
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	2 heaters are always best for redundancy. I recommend using a temp controller such as a Ranco. Controlling temp is paramount and relying on a heater's internal thermostat to do this is a disaster in the making. You don't need a PH for the QT IMO. The filter will suffice. As for PH in the display...I've never owned a Koralia so I cannot comment on them. Once you move on to corals however,,definately look at the Tunze or Vortech line. I own Vortech exclusively and coulldnt imagine running anything different. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

02/27/2011, 07:05 PM	#4
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I personally use a brute trash can for mixing my water (most of us veterans do) and I keep a mag 5 in it full time to keep the water circulated Look here for the controller http://www.etcsupply.com/ __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

02/27/2011, 09:12 PM	#11
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	Jager is an extremely reliable heater. I have been using those and the ViaAqua Titanium heaters on 2 of my tanks for years and I have zero complaints. Of course I use Ranco controllers with every heater I use. Virtuoso...2 underpowered heater is indeed a good idea for the reasons you already outlined. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

02/27/2011, 09:36 PM	#13
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	The mind set is you have a better chance of walking out your front door and getting struck by lightning than both of your heaters failing in the "on" position. And yes...A Ranco would would prevent this from happening __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

02/27/2011, 07:00 PM	#3
NaCL Aquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 61	Thanks...Patsfan for the input on the temp controller, etc. Unfamiliar with Ranco. Will Google the controller. If I don't need a PH for the QT, what size would you recommend for mixing salt in a 32 gallon trash can? A cheap pump may work better?

02/27/2011, 08:39 PM	#5
Virtuoso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 727	Question, why use a Ranco ($90?) when a RKL is not much more? Just wondering if there is something missing.

02/27/2011, 08:41 PM	#6
NaCL Aquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 61	Thanks for the tip re the Mag 5 pump, and the link for the controller. Sounds like a grand idea. For a "backup thermometer", do you have a preference for a particular brand? Any of these things more more reliable than another? If the heaters fail,..my whole tank can fail. Scary t'me.

02/27/2011, 08:56 PM	#8
Virtuoso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 727	[Edit: Nevermind, you said thermometer. I'm an idiot. Ignore below.] Well, one of the theories behind getting 2 underpowered heaters is that if one fails you have time to catch it. A 50% underpowered heater is not going to cook a tank if stuck in the on position. One recommendation I see a lot around here is the Eheim Jager.

02/27/2011, 09:01 PM	#9
NaCL Aquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 61	The Village Idiot would like to edit the last post. I meant brand of HEATER...not thermometer. Maybe, hmmmm, I should only do one thing at a time? Duh. Appreciated your comment anyway. I will be very happy for any additional input.

02/27/2011, 09:04 PM	#10
NaCL Aquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 61	Virtuoso... YOU are NOT the idiot. Thanks, for the comments re the Eheim Jager.

02/27/2011, 09:23 PM	#12
NaCL Aquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 61	Thanks..Both...for the additional heater info. Still embarrassed over my typing/brain-escape. (can we have an acronym for "Brain Dead"?). Stuck in the "On" mode with a large heater certainly might give us poached fish for dinner? A controller would not allow this to happen?

02/27/2011, 09:53 PM	#14
NaCL Aquarist Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 61	Again...appreciate your input, patsfan. Makes sense (even t'me) that having two heaters governing a closed marine space could save me bacon and me fish. A controller sounds like a very good idea. Do you "hide" both heaters in your sump? Appearance in the tank counts for us. Will have a Magdrive 18 pump below the 38 inch stand for the 90 g. Did I "overdo" the pump? Can I put two heaters in the 30 gallon sump and not create any issues with the main tank? Should one of the heaters be in the tank? As I typed before: Call me an Idiot.

02/27/2011, 10:03 PM	#15
Virtuoso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 727	The mag18 is total overkill on a 90g tank. There may be a way to dial it back. If not it will not work. Too much flow and your overflow won't be able to keep up. You have 1 overflow down to the sump?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need Advice - Setting up Refugium before Display tank?	walnutninja	New to the Hobby	0	12/16/2009 06:32 PM
Will be setting up a 20 gallon tank....Equipment?	Chiefsurfer	Nano Reefs	19	11/28/2009 03:37 PM
Setting up 75 gallon reef tank, Need Advice!!!	raw04f	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	3	03/13/2007 09:41 PM
Setting up 75 gallon reef tank, Need Advice!!!	raw04f	Reef Discussion	1	02/27/2007 09:36 PM
Setting up up my 90 tank and stand	dobly_1999	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	10/23/2006 01:49 PM