Custom 180 build - need plumbing advise

nezw0001 · 06/01/2014, 03:48 PM

Well, after being out of reefing for about 5 years I'm getting ready to set up a custom peninsula SPS 180. I am planning on doing a coast to coast overflow on the concealed side (right side) with BeanAnimal overflow system. The tank will drain to a basement sump with two stock tank set up for Filter bag/Skimmer and Refugium/Frag tank. The return will also need to supply GFO/GAC reactors and supply water for the QT tank(obviously will not re drain into the DT system). Questions...
1. The BeanAnimal system is new to me, should I have these holes drilled 1.5"?
2. Will a coast to coast along a small side (24in) be enough volume for this?
3. Any recommendations on return pumps? I have an old Dolphin Amp Master 4750 that was previously used on a similar set up 5 years ago but it looks like there are some better options out there now.
4. Since the tank will have so much exposed glass I would like to minimize wiring and powerbeads for supplemental flow. Should I go with one pump for the return and another for a closed loop system?

The return will go over the top of the tank and go through two sea swirls (I think).

This tank is going to be tricky with no where to hide stuff. I am also undecided on a skimmer or closed loop design so any input is welcome. Have been doing alot of researching on site but it seems like each build is so different they are though to compare to my set up.

thanks in advance

Jill

rwb500 · 06/01/2014, 09:51 PM

1. depends on the flow but I know it is discussed many times in all of the bean animal threads

2. yes 24" is plenty

3. do you want external pump(s)? what is your head height going to be? Do you want to run one or two?

4. to me, a peninsula is the perfect use of vortech's. i would use two MP40's and then you may want to point your return outputs down towards the dead spots under the MP40's. or you might want to add some smaller powerheads to fill dead spots. Or perhaps you will want one mp60 and one mp40. I wouldn't spend the money on the sea swirls in this case.

nezw0001 · 06/02/2014, 05:32 PM

Head height will be around 15ft

not fussy regarding one pump or two, internal or external - can either type of set up.

Good tip regarding the vortech's would you go with the returns over the top on the peninsula side and the vortech's on the concealed side?

With my last tank the sea swirls stopped working after about a year so the money is probably better spent on vortech's.

would like to get this done right the first time and all holes drilled now. would there be a downside to drilling the overflows for the biggest possible size and necking/valve them down as needed?

rwb500 · 06/02/2014, 07:39 PM

with the bean animal design you are not going to want hugely oversized drain lines. remember, the main line depends on a siphon so if its enormous, it wont siphon. so just do some reading and figure out the right size for the flow you want. your 15' drop might influence the size as well, i dont know. its all been discussed in that thread im sure. for a 180 gallon display i would want somewhere in the neighborhood of 700-1500 gph reaching the display. others would want more like 1200-1500.

and i dont actually know about return pumps for that much head. hopefully someone can use the info you provided to make some recommendations.

I would do return lines and vortechs on the concealed side. that is just easier and more concealed. Also, you could point the return lines down at the dead spots underneath each vortech. You don't even need to drill for the return lines, just have them come up over the rim. that way you will be able to redo them if you don't like how things are working. also you may want to do one vortech higher and one lower. you can move things around once it is set up.

06/01/2014, 03:48 PM	#1
nezw0001 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Central MN Posts: 241	Custom 180 build - need plumbing advise Well, after being out of reefing for about 5 years I'm getting ready to set up a custom peninsula SPS 180. I am planning on doing a coast to coast overflow on the concealed side (right side) with BeanAnimal overflow system. The tank will drain to a basement sump with two stock tank set up for Filter bag/Skimmer and Refugium/Frag tank. The return will also need to supply GFO/GAC reactors and supply water for the QT tank(obviously will not re drain into the DT system). Questions... 1. The BeanAnimal system is new to me, should I have these holes drilled 1.5"? 2. Will a coast to coast along a small side (24in) be enough volume for this? 3. Any recommendations on return pumps? I have an old Dolphin Amp Master 4750 that was previously used on a similar set up 5 years ago but it looks like there are some better options out there now. 4. Since the tank will have so much exposed glass I would like to minimize wiring and powerbeads for supplemental flow. Should I go with one pump for the return and another for a closed loop system? The return will go over the top of the tank and go through two sea swirls (I think). This tank is going to be tricky with no where to hide stuff. I am also undecided on a skimmer or closed loop design so any input is welcome. Have been doing alot of researching on site but it seems like each build is so different they are though to compare to my set up. thanks in advance Jill __________________ Jill Current Tank Info: 450g see thru tank, MH lighting, 180 basement sump, Apex controller, Lifereef skimmer, 30g QT tank

06/02/2014, 05:32 PM	#3
nezw0001 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Central MN Posts: 241	Head height will be around 15ft not fussy regarding one pump or two, internal or external - can either type of set up. Good tip regarding the vortech's would you go with the returns over the top on the peninsula side and the vortech's on the concealed side? With my last tank the sea swirls stopped working after about a year so the money is probably better spent on vortech's. would like to get this done right the first time and all holes drilled now. would there be a downside to drilling the overflows for the biggest possible size and necking/valve them down as needed? __________________ Jill Current Tank Info: 450g see thru tank, MH lighting, 180 basement sump, Apex controller, Lifereef skimmer, 30g QT tank

06/01/2014, 09:51 PM	#2
rwb500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,694	1. depends on the flow but I know it is discussed many times in all of the bean animal threads 2. yes 24" is plenty 3. do you want external pump(s)? what is your head height going to be? Do you want to run one or two? 4. to me, a peninsula is the perfect use of vortech's. i would use two MP40's and then you may want to point your return outputs down towards the dead spots under the MP40's. or you might want to add some smaller powerheads to fill dead spots. Or perhaps you will want one mp60 and one mp40. I wouldn't spend the money on the sea swirls in this case.

06/02/2014, 07:39 PM	#4
rwb500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,694	with the bean animal design you are not going to want hugely oversized drain lines. remember, the main line depends on a siphon so if its enormous, it wont siphon. so just do some reading and figure out the right size for the flow you want. your 15' drop might influence the size as well, i dont know. its all been discussed in that thread im sure. for a 180 gallon display i would want somewhere in the neighborhood of 700-1500 gph reaching the display. others would want more like 1200-1500. and i dont actually know about return pumps for that much head. hopefully someone can use the info you provided to make some recommendations. I would do return lines and vortechs on the concealed side. that is just easier and more concealed. Also, you could point the return lines down at the dead spots underneath each vortech. You don't even need to drill for the return lines, just have them come up over the rim. that way you will be able to redo them if you don't like how things are working. also you may want to do one vortech higher and one lower. you can move things around once it is set up.