125 Gallon Upgrade

Bueltelgab · 06/27/2017, 10:02 AM

I think this would be the appropriate place to post this. I am moving from a 30 gallon (no sump) to a 125 gallon drilled tank. Yeah... its sweet LOL. I just picked up my new tank last night.

I had them drill four holes, two returns and two Inky box overflows for the herbie method.

Picking up the new sump today to be equipped with a refugium and in sump return pump and skimmer (reef Octopus).

I have done a lot of reading about powerheads and what sizes but really dont know a clear answer....

What size return pumps should i use in the sump? What size powerheads?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

thegrun · 06/27/2017, 10:19 AM

Do you plan on a fish only system, a fish with soft coral system or a full mixed reef with SPS corals as that will determine the total amount of flow you need. Generally you want about 5 times your display tank running through your sump accounting for head height loss (about 600GPH for your tank) with the rest of the water flow coming via in-tank powerheads. For a fish only system 20 times the display is usually fine for flow, for soft corals you want at least 30 times the display, for SPS corals I would go with at least 50 times the display in total flow.

SouthFla · 06/27/2017, 12:42 PM

Hey there, congrats on the upgrade!

I also have a 125G (6'). I have a 30g sump with an Eheim 1262 return pump circulating the water (probably 2-4x's tank volume), and inside the tank I use 2 AquaMedic Ecodrift 8 wavemakers (1000-2000gph each located on lower back corners pointing towards middle and up) and 2 Jebao PP8 wavemakers (200-2100gph each on each side near top pointing toward middle slightly down). I have a tank equally mixed with soft, LPS & SPS and the random and chaotic flow seems to work well.

Good luck on your build!

ReefEco · 06/28/2017, 09:50 AM

Two Maxspect gyres on either end would be sweet for that tank, and could be ramped up or down for any of the scenarios thegrun mentions - very flexible, and can scale with you if you start with softies, and end up being bitten by the SPS bug down the line...

sdbc · 06/28/2017, 06:29 PM

+1 on the Eheim 1262. That's what I use on my 125 as well. I highly recommend good gate valves for your drains. They really help to dial in the flow so it's balanced.

06/27/2017, 10:02 AM	#1
Bueltelgab Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 1	125 Gallon Upgrade I think this would be the appropriate place to post this. I am moving from a 30 gallon (no sump) to a 125 gallon drilled tank. Yeah... its sweet LOL. I just picked up my new tank last night. I had them drill four holes, two returns and two Inky box overflows for the herbie method. Picking up the new sump today to be equipped with a refugium and in sump return pump and skimmer (reef Octopus). I have done a lot of reading about powerheads and what sizes but really dont know a clear answer.... What size return pumps should i use in the sump? What size powerheads? Any input is greatly appreciated!

06/27/2017, 12:42 PM	#3
SouthFla Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Miami, Florida USA Posts: 256	Hey there, congrats on the upgrade! I also have a 125G (6'). I have a 30g sump with an Eheim 1262 return pump circulating the water (probably 2-4x's tank volume), and inside the tank I use 2 AquaMedic Ecodrift 8 wavemakers (1000-2000gph each located on lower back corners pointing towards middle and up) and 2 Jebao PP8 wavemakers (200-2100gph each on each side near top pointing toward middle slightly down). I have a tank equally mixed with soft, LPS & SPS and the random and chaotic flow seems to work well. Good luck on your build! __________________ 125g mixed reef, Apex controlled, 30g sump, RO 150sss skimmer, Eheim 1262 return, NextReef MR1 reactor w/Rox C, (2) EcoDrift 8.0 1K-2K GPH, (2) Jebao PP8 1K-2K GPH, (5) 80W ATI T5s Current Tank Info: 125G reef, Alk ~8.1, Ca 410, Mg 1350, 1.025SG

06/28/2017, 09:50 AM	#4
ReefEco Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Truckee, CA Posts: 71	Two Maxspect gyres on either end would be sweet for that tank, and could be ramped up or down for any of the scenarios thegrun mentions - very flexible, and can scale with you if you start with softies, and end up being bitten by the SPS bug down the line... __________________ DIY Junkie and Aquaculture Advocate \| (New user name, member since 2001) Current Tank Info: Planning the 300g Dream Tank

06/28/2017, 06:29 PM	#5
sdbc Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 94	+1 on the Eheim 1262. That's what I use on my 125 as well. I highly recommend good gate valves for your drains. They really help to dial in the flow so it's balanced. __________________ Bob - San Diego Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef, 20g F/W planted

06/27/2017, 10:19 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Do you plan on a fish only system, a fish with soft coral system or a full mixed reef with SPS corals as that will determine the total amount of flow you need. Generally you want about 5 times your display tank running through your sump accounting for head height loss (about 600GPH for your tank) with the rest of the water flow coming via in-tank powerheads. For a fish only system 20 times the display is usually fine for flow, for soft corals you want at least 30 times the display, for SPS corals I would go with at least 50 times the display in total flow.