Upgrading from a 30 gallon to a 65 gallon (setup questions)

l8_apex_it · 10/22/2014, 12:30 AM

Well after having my current 30 gallon setup as a reef tank since 1996, having been moved 6 times, and experiencing a few minor floods, I finally picked up a used 65 gallon tank, stand, and canopy from a local reefer. I'll post photos later. I've been dreaming and waiting a long time to gain more depth, bigger stand, sump, etc. I'm looking forward to getting this setup and everything moved over.

Currently, I'm sealing up the sump area of the stand and hope to have that area painted with epoxy paint later this week. I'm slowly giving the tank a vinegar bath although it really isn't too bad.

It has a 3/4" and 1" bulkhead fitting in the overflow.
I just purchase a Trigger Ruby30S sump and will be plumbing that. I plan on using two RapidLed dimmable Onyx lights setup with my Apex controller.
I currently have a Jabao WP10 that I would be able to move over after the upgrade. I know that I will need to add another one or move up the RW-8, or WP25.

Tell me what you think:

My plan was to use a Herbie setup. I would use the 3/4" as the main drain with gate valve.
Use the 1" as the emergency overflow.
Use a Jabao DC 3000 pump for return. That should put my flow at roughly 300+ gph at 4.5" of head. More than 4x turnover. I'm used to the old rule of 10x turnover but have been reading that now with powerheads in the tank that this rule doesn't apply so much anymore.
I'm not sure which way to go on the refugium at the moment. I'm hoping my SCA-303 skimmer isn't too tight in the skimmer / filter sock portion. Long term I can see using a DSB, liverock, cheato, or ATS in the refugium portion. Suggestions? DSB in the refugium worth it? Or just go with some liverock cheato, and or ATS?
I can go with a larger return pump but the 3/4" return may not handle higher flows associated with the DC 6000 pumps (~850 gph). I could set it on a lower speed. Or should the 3/4" drain with straight pipes and gate valve allow me to sneak by? Will the Trigger Ruby 30s be better suited for the higher or lower flow?

Please give me your thoughts and advice. I hope to post some photos as I progress.

l8_apex_it · 10/24/2014, 08:37 PM

Still going back and forth on the lower flow return pump (4x turnover) vs higher flown return pump capable of over 10x turnover. Thoughts?

wetWolger · 10/24/2014, 08:43 PM

The biggest reasons to have less turn over in the sump are noise...noise from more water movement, noise from overflow, noise from a bigger pump, etc.

You can deal with the flow rate in the sump via other ways (for example you can have the return pump in the center and have the overflow output on the both ends, having the skimmer on one end, and the fuge on the other.

With a herbie setup, you can do quite a bit of flow and still keep the noise low....so I think it's really just preference.

Crooke · 10/24/2014, 08:56 PM

Larger pump and valve the output. With a moderately oversized return you have the ability to calibrate the return flow to your desired level and then use the gate valve on the siphon drain to tune as needed.

10/22/2014, 12:30 AM	#1
l8_apex_it Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 247	Upgrading from a 30 gallon to a 65 gallon (setup questions) Well after having my current 30 gallon setup as a reef tank since 1996, having been moved 6 times, and experiencing a few minor floods, I finally picked up a used 65 gallon tank, stand, and canopy from a local reefer. I'll post photos later. I've been dreaming and waiting a long time to gain more depth, bigger stand, sump, etc. I'm looking forward to getting this setup and everything moved over. Currently, I'm sealing up the sump area of the stand and hope to have that area painted with epoxy paint later this week. I'm slowly giving the tank a vinegar bath although it really isn't too bad. It has a 3/4" and 1" bulkhead fitting in the overflow. I just purchase a Trigger Ruby30S sump and will be plumbing that. I plan on using two RapidLed dimmable Onyx lights setup with my Apex controller. I currently have a Jabao WP10 that I would be able to move over after the upgrade. I know that I will need to add another one or move up the RW-8, or WP25. Tell me what you think: My plan was to use a Herbie setup. I would use the 3/4" as the main drain with gate valve. Use the 1" as the emergency overflow. Use a Jabao DC 3000 pump for return. That should put my flow at roughly 300+ gph at 4.5" of head. More than 4x turnover. I'm used to the old rule of 10x turnover but have been reading that now with powerheads in the tank that this rule doesn't apply so much anymore. I'm not sure which way to go on the refugium at the moment. I'm hoping my SCA-303 skimmer isn't too tight in the skimmer / filter sock portion. Long term I can see using a DSB, liverock, cheato, or ATS in the refugium portion. Suggestions? DSB in the refugium worth it? Or just go with some liverock cheato, and or ATS? I can go with a larger return pump but the 3/4" return may not handle higher flows associated with the DC 6000 pumps (~850 gph). I could set it on a lower speed. Or should the 3/4" drain with straight pipes and gate valve allow me to sneak by? Will the Trigger Ruby 30s be better suited for the higher or lower flow? Please give me your thoughts and advice. I hope to post some photos as I progress.

10/24/2014, 08:43 PM	#3
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	The biggest reasons to have less turn over in the sump are noise...noise from more water movement, noise from overflow, noise from a bigger pump, etc. You can deal with the flow rate in the sump via other ways (for example you can have the return pump in the center and have the overflow output on the both ends, having the skimmer on one end, and the fuge on the other. With a herbie setup, you can do quite a bit of flow and still keep the noise low....so I think it's really just preference. __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

10/24/2014, 08:37 PM	#2
l8_apex_it Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 247	Still going back and forth on the lower flow return pump (4x turnover) vs higher flown return pump capable of over 10x turnover. Thoughts?

10/24/2014, 08:56 PM	#4
Crooke Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 106	Larger pump and valve the output. With a moderately oversized return you have the ability to calibrate the return flow to your desired level and then use the gate valve on the siphon drain to tune as needed.