Some startup questions

gatsby174 · 08/11/2009, 08:35 PM

I am going to be starting my first reef tank setup after years of FW. I have been around reefs for years and even plumbed my friends 75 gallon tank for him when he built it years ago. So now I want to start my own and don't want to have to replace parts down the road after my animals are already aclimated to my tank. I am getting the 24x24x24 Perfecto 60 gallon tank. My first question is about the stock overflow, which gph pump will I need? Also, I want to the tank to have a "finished" look and have been looking at the coralife hqi/pc actinic setups. Eventually I want to have 2 clowns, a rbta, and maybe some clams. Would the 150 watt hqi with the pc actinics be enough, or should I get the 250 watt hqi? They are actually the same price, so I was leaning towards the 250 watt, but it that to big? Thanks for the help,
Gatsby

Henry Bowman · 08/11/2009, 08:40 PM

1 - Pump will depend on if you want an internal or external pump. you dont need to go over 10X turnover (600 gph) in the tank. The overflow should handle that. I'd shoot for 400 gph for ease of plumbing and overall sound level. (pushing more water through the sump will be louder. Get your in tank flow through power heads.

2 - Clams take a good amount of light. I would recomend a 250W MH. You will probably need a fan blowing across the water inthe sump to help with heat in the summer depending on where in the USA you live....

gatsby174 · 08/12/2009, 08:32 AM

Well, I live in Western NY. Should I install a chiller in the spring so that I won't have to worry about the fan evap'ing so much water? Also, would a mag 5 be a good choice for the return pump? Thanks,
Gatsby

badfish · 08/12/2009, 08:46 AM

Chillers are noisier and use more electricity than fans. But they are effective. Ive never used one (and i live in PHX, AZ) but i have thought about buying one several times.

Mag 5 pumps add a lot of heat to the tank. I would use a Eheim 1250 or 1260.

cobbobby · 08/12/2009, 08:57 AM

Eheims will give you years of service and definately go for the 250w mh's. Only think i wonder is if the coralife will spread that whole 24" wide. You may be able to get away with a single 250w mh and a lumen bright, or lumen arc reflector. You wouldn't have to worry about heat this way either and it would save you some cash.

08/11/2009, 08:35 PM	#1
gatsby174 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Middleport, NY Posts: 124	Some startup questions I am going to be starting my first reef tank setup after years of FW. I have been around reefs for years and even plumbed my friends 75 gallon tank for him when he built it years ago. So now I want to start my own and don't want to have to replace parts down the road after my animals are already aclimated to my tank. I am getting the 24x24x24 Perfecto 60 gallon tank. My first question is about the stock overflow, which gph pump will I need? Also, I want to the tank to have a "finished" look and have been looking at the coralife hqi/pc actinic setups. Eventually I want to have 2 clowns, a rbta, and maybe some clams. Would the 150 watt hqi with the pc actinics be enough, or should I get the 250 watt hqi? They are actually the same price, so I was leaning towards the 250 watt, but it that to big? Thanks for the help, Gatsby

08/11/2009, 08:40 PM	#2
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	1 - Pump will depend on if you want an internal or external pump. you dont need to go over 10X turnover (600 gph) in the tank. The overflow should handle that. I'd shoot for 400 gph for ease of plumbing and overall sound level. (pushing more water through the sump will be louder. Get your in tank flow through power heads. 2 - Clams take a good amount of light. I would recomend a 250W MH. You will probably need a fan blowing across the water inthe sump to help with heat in the summer depending on where in the USA you live.... __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

08/12/2009, 08:46 AM	#4
badfish Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 1,970	Chillers are noisier and use more electricity than fans. But they are effective. Ive never used one (and i live in PHX, AZ) but i have thought about buying one several times. Mag 5 pumps add a lot of heat to the tank. I would use a Eheim 1250 or 1260. __________________ "My second home is a third world cantina" RCPM Current Tank Info: Not big enough.

08/12/2009, 08:32 AM	#3
gatsby174 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Middleport, NY Posts: 124	Well, I live in Western NY. Should I install a chiller in the spring so that I won't have to worry about the fan evap'ing so much water? Also, would a mag 5 be a good choice for the return pump? Thanks, Gatsby

08/12/2009, 08:57 AM	#5
cobbobby Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: At a Tea Party Posts: 393	Eheims will give you years of service and definately go for the 250w mh's. Only think i wonder is if the coralife will spread that whole 24" wide. You may be able to get away with a single 250w mh and a lumen bright, or lumen arc reflector. You wouldn't have to worry about heat this way either and it would save you some cash.