First Tank/Sump Build

[ReeferRuss]

I am in the planning stages of my build that has a sump. I am working on a 150(5x2x2) with a glass sump(52x16x18). I picked up the stand canopy and sump off craigslist and just need to purchase the tank. The stand has a cutout in the middle bottom for the plumbing so I plan on getting a center-back overflow built in with the holes in the bottom.

I have some questions regarding the hard plumbing before I order the tank.

1) How many drain lines should I have and what sizes? I have seen anywhere from 1-3. Should I do two drains and an emergency or 1 drain and an emergency?

2) What size should my return be and what size pump. Any pump brand recommendations appreciated. It will need to be in the sump as I will not have room outside.

3) Ball Valves or Gate Valves? I am looking at the CEPEX BALL VALVEs with dual unions currently.

4) What type of drain setup and should it be the same for multiple drains?
Durso, Herbie or Bean? I was leaning towards the Durso for simplicity sake.

5) My LFS is recommending a Reef Octopus 202s Skimmer? Any thoughts on this?

6) I am currently not planning for any reactor or dosing equipment. Is this a huge mistake?

7) Is there anything else I need to consider or plan for?

Thanks in advance!

[rjjr1963]

Originally Posted by ReeferRuss

I am in the planning stages of my build that has a sump. I am working on a 150(5x2x2) with a glass sump(52x16x18). I picked up the stand canopy and sump off craigslist and just need to purchase the tank. The stand has a cutout in the middle bottom for the plumbing so I plan on getting a center-back overflow built in with the holes in the bottom.

I have some questions regarding the hard plumbing before I order the tank.

1) How many drain lines should I have and what sizes? I have seen anywhere from 1-3. Should I do two drains and an emergency or 1 drain and an emergency?

2) What size should my return be and what size pump. Any pump brand recommendations appreciated. It will need to be in the sump as I will not have room outside.

3) Ball Valves or Gate Valves? I am looking at the CEPEX BALL VALVEs with dual unions currently.

4) What type of drain setup and should it be the same for multiple drains?
Durso, Herbie or Bean? I was leaning towards the Durso for simplicity sake.

5) My LFS is recommending a Reef Octopus 202s Skimmer? Any thoughts on this?

6) I am currently not planning for any reactor or dosing equipment. Is this a huge mistake?

7) Is there anything else I need to consider or plan for?

Thanks in advance!

I would do the Herbie drain which is three lines. You'll want to use a gate valve on the main drain line. You might want to consider a ghost type overflow.

I would do two return lines 3/4". I've been using Jabeo DC pumps and they work fine so far.

I use good union ball valves. You will appreciate the larger handle on the good ones.

Check out Lifereef skimmers. Jeff is a great guy with many satisfied customers.

You can do dosing or reactors anytime down the road. Just give yourself some extra space for expansion.

QT everything wet. I learned my lesson the hard way.

[TheRuss]

I would do a 4'W x 30"D x 24"W tank. Once you get past 4' everything gets to a lot more money. Lighting, flow, and rock all go up. What ever you do don't get a 18" wide tank. You will regret it.

1) You probably need a min of 2 drain lines
2) try to get flow to turn your tank over 9 or more times and hour
3) ball valves are fine for this
4) don't get fancy. Durso works fine for 90% of reefers
5) that is a good skimmer, look used unless you want that new look. However you will be surprised how vintage cleans things up
6) this is NOT a mistake. People have had successful reefs without it. I would focus on the important things, water quality and consistency, lighting, water quality and consistency, flow, water quality and consistency.
7) here are a coup,e considerations
I would setup a QT System and QT all fish for a month.
I would Bayer dip all corals and not add the plugs or other people's rock.
I know you want to get this going fast, but do not rush it. This is a process and it will take years for you to master only to find out that there is still more and a million ways to do something.
Focus on water quality and consistency. How do you top off, where do you get the water, how do you change water... master these things and you will be miles ahead of most in the hobby.



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[ReeferRuss]

Thanks for the info. If anyone else has any thoughts, it would be appreciated.


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[TheRuss]

With a name like Russ you will be fine


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