3ft bar reef tank

Darran · 03/26/2014, 05:06 PM

Well I would like to start by saying this is my first post on here and that I am fairly new to this hobby. I've been keep keeping a fish only tank for about 6 months and now would like to extend my knowledge and experience to a reef tank. So here we go from here onward I am after as much info as I can get from you guys. Right my DT is a 100 x 40 x 52 Ive got an old tank which is 76 x 30 x 38cm which I would like to build in to a custom sump I was thinking a refuge setup. The DT tank is being built in to my bar and the sump placed in to boxing in which will be made underneath it, so here's my main questions. I was thinking of doing my over flows in 1 1/4 pipe work and my return in 3/4 overflow pipe work would this be ok? Also I have an old rio 2100 pump that came with one of the tanks I purchased would this be to powerful to use? Also what power head should I be looking to use as the tank I had before was a 6ft one so believe the heads from there would be to much for this smaller tank.

Any input would be much appreciated.

BlakDuc · 03/27/2014, 12:31 PM

You need to come up with a plan, write everything down and draw it out. If you just start throwing stuff together, you are not going to be happy with it and you are going to spend a lot of money twice.

Make sure that it is going to be easy to maintain inside the bar. Otherwise, it might get neglected.

I wouldn't use the rio pump for mixing water, the old ones had a bad habit of melting down. Get a good pump like an Ehiem, Tunze or Sicce. Once again, buy the good stuff the first time or buy it 6 months down the road.

Your overflow plumbing will determine your overall flow, take a look at the Beananimal overflow. I have not used the design, but a lot of people swear by it.

Flow inside the tank is something that can be planned to an extent when designing the tank. I love the Vortech pumps, but they are expensive and they are not silent. I bought 2 MP40's on here a couple months ago for $500 though and they work perfect.

With building the tank into the bar, lighting might become an issue as well, once again, ask questions and plan plan plan!

Welcome to Reef Central!

Darran · 03/28/2014, 04:18 AM

Hi thanks for the reply! I was thinking about using a Eheim 600 return pump Which should give me just over 5x turn over of my sump an hour would this be ok for a lps and soft coral tank? I am looking to have two hydor 3200 in the DT Which will give me a 30x flow rate does this all sounds right up to now?

03/26/2014, 05:06 PM	#1
Darran Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 2	3ft bar reef tank Well I would like to start by saying this is my first post on here and that I am fairly new to this hobby. I've been keep keeping a fish only tank for about 6 months and now would like to extend my knowledge and experience to a reef tank. So here we go from here onward I am after as much info as I can get from you guys. Right my DT is a 100 x 40 x 52 Ive got an old tank which is 76 x 30 x 38cm which I would like to build in to a custom sump I was thinking a refuge setup. The DT tank is being built in to my bar and the sump placed in to boxing in which will be made underneath it, so here's my main questions. I was thinking of doing my over flows in 1 1/4 pipe work and my return in 3/4 overflow pipe work would this be ok? Also I have an old rio 2100 pump that came with one of the tanks I purchased would this be to powerful to use? Also what power head should I be looking to use as the tank I had before was a 6ft one so believe the heads from there would be to much for this smaller tank. Any input would be much appreciated.

03/27/2014, 12:31 PM	#2
BlakDuc Fragger Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Waldorf, MD Posts: 4,518	You need to come up with a plan, write everything down and draw it out. If you just start throwing stuff together, you are not going to be happy with it and you are going to spend a lot of money twice. Make sure that it is going to be easy to maintain inside the bar. Otherwise, it might get neglected. I wouldn't use the rio pump for mixing water, the old ones had a bad habit of melting down. Get a good pump like an Ehiem, Tunze or Sicce. Once again, buy the good stuff the first time or buy it 6 months down the road. Your overflow plumbing will determine your overall flow, take a look at the Beananimal overflow. I have not used the design, but a lot of people swear by it. Flow inside the tank is something that can be planned to an extent when designing the tank. I love the Vortech pumps, but they are expensive and they are not silent. I bought 2 MP40's on here a couple months ago for $500 though and they work perfect. With building the tank into the bar, lighting might become an issue as well, once again, ask questions and plan plan plan! Welcome to Reef Central! __________________ Joe Cude Current Tank Info: IM Fusion 40

03/28/2014, 04:18 AM	#3
Darran Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 2	Hi thanks for the reply! I was thinking about using a Eheim 600 return pump Which should give me just over 5x turn over of my sump an hour would this be ok for a lps and soft coral tank? I am looking to have two hydor 3200 in the DT Which will give me a 30x flow rate does this all sounds right up to now?