Any Flaws in this?

ahlebik · 11/27/2009, 10:09 PM

I have a glass cages 120gal (48 x 24 x 25) aquarium coming in a week or so with a 36" stand.

I am starting to buy some equipment and from the help of a somewhat local shop I am looking at purchaseing:

Light - Nova Extreme 8x54W
skimmer - Octo Extreme 200
2X Finnex Heaters 300W titanium digitals
1 Mag Drive 7

--------Then after plumbing----------

2X Vortex MP-40W

With this setup I figure I will not have to buy anything twice because I was to conservative with the initial equipment. I will be running a 40BR DIY sump.

Any thoughts or concerns with this setup?

Thanks.

spleify · 11/27/2009, 10:13 PM

Looks like a good starting point

nikon187 · 11/27/2009, 10:19 PM

what are you planning on keeping in the tank? Personally the lighting and the mag 7 i would change. Mags are loud and can heat your tank a couple of degrees, they do work until the end of time and are cheap. I would go with a Tek, aquatinics, ATI over the nova as they all have better reflectors and the nova's bulbs are ok at best. They will grow corals fine though, it just depends on what you want the tank to look like in the end.

lin0501 · 11/27/2009, 10:20 PM

You should take a look at the Reef Octopus XP-2000. It's a bit more than the Extreme 200 but I think it's worth it since it has the bubble blaster pump. My Sicce pump has given me a few startup issues already and I only had my extreme 200 for 6 months.

ahlebik · 11/27/2009, 10:31 PM

I realize the stock bulbs are not the best and have no issue buying replacements to suite my lighting preference. I have seen the light fixtures on tanks and they are pretty sleek and sexy looking vs bars that I would need attached to the stand to hang other fixtures. vaulted ceiling would be a pain to hang from.

I will look into alternative pumps. Any recommendations?

ahlebik · 11/28/2009, 12:24 AM

lin0501 - The XP 2000 looks pretty nice. The extreme 200 reviews are pretty top notch. I cant find to much on the XP 2000 other than a review here and there. I think I may try out that 2000 with some more research.

nikon187 - I wanted to stay away from hanging anything. With coral placement I figured I would have plenty of corals to choose from with the light the Nova can provide. 24hr lighting for a new guy like myself is quite a bargain.

Still looking into return pumps. Seems they do not have a "heat" rating. Guess the Watts / gph ratio can give that? As in a pump that runs at 1W and 1k gph would run cooler than 500w at 1gph?

I did figure in that I may have to cut the mag 7 back some. That would produce more heat I assume. Maybe I should stick with the 5? Will have a refugium in the sump and do not want to much flow.

timmyb770 · 11/28/2009, 12:36 AM

awsome starting point, you will really like that skimmer I had one and it worked really well!!

nikon187 · 11/28/2009, 03:05 AM

As long as you don't mind repplacing the stock bulbs after a couple months you are set. As i said before the nova can grow corals just fine. I would look into Ehiem pumps, they add very little heat, are dead silent and will also run for many years.

drewp808 · 11/28/2009, 03:24 AM

ehiems are great but they are twice as much

VandyTime · 11/28/2009, 04:50 AM

A small step ladder will be a must!

Gilbert46 · 11/28/2009, 04:55 AM

doesn't the nova extreme 6 bulb make higher par then the 8 because of single reflectors? When I was considering a all t5 setup I think I came accross that. the 6 bulb would be 108 watts less and 2 fewer bulbs to replace.

bearpeidog · 11/28/2009, 09:40 AM

Hey guys - does a MAG7 have enough turn over for 120 gallon? I run a MAG12 on my 90 with a 30 gallon sump. I would have recommended a larger return pump based on my use of the MAG12.

Lightsluvr · 11/28/2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearpeidog

Hey guys - does a MAG7 have enough turn over for 120 gallon? I run a MAG12 on my 90 with a 30 gallon sump. I would have recommended a larger return pump based on my use of the MAG12.

It would be marginal -- the overflow is probably rated somewhere around 600 gph, so with head loss, the Mag 7 would be on the low end. I'd be looking at the Eheim 1262 if it was me. Since budget doesn't seem to be a huge issue (re: a pair of MP40Ws), I think the investment in a quiet, cooler pump makes sense...

LL

mfinn · 11/28/2009, 10:16 AM

Eheims make very good pumps, but another brand to look at that are absolutely silent are Ocean Runners.

Crustman · 11/28/2009, 11:32 AM

Why do you need 2 heaters? Bulbs heat the tank during the day and it cools a little at night. Home thermostat comes on when it is 68. Have no problems with fish coral or clams so far. I have no heaters.

ahlebik · 11/28/2009, 01:17 PM

Gilbert46 - I also read about the Pro having higher PAR because of the reflectors. I also heard they have a different ballast that's giving people trouble.

bearpeidog - A mag 12 on a 90? I thought that much flow through the sump kinda defeated the purpose of it.

The MP-40s are for flow and the sump is for filtering. At least that is how I looked at it.

I just got off of a 12hr midnight shift. I will do some pump research after I get some rest. Thanks nikon187 and mfinn for the pump suggestions. I usually have a hard time finding a starting point to compare items from/against since I never ran any to begin with.

Lightsluvr · 11/28/2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahlebik

The MP-40s are for flow and the sump is for filtering. At least that is how I looked at it.

I just got off of a 12hr midnight shift. I will do some pump research after I get some rest. Thanks nikon187 and mfinn for the pump suggestions. I usually have a hard time finding a starting point to compare items from/against since I never ran any to begin with.

Yes the MP40w's are great for flow in your tank. They will grow with you if you decide to upgrade down the road.

The recommended Eheim 1262 would be your return pump - absolutely quiet, cool and reliable. No need to get a larger pump than your overflow's capacity; you'd just have to throttle it back.

I think you have an excellent plan going for you. Get some sleep!

LL

mfinn · 11/28/2009, 01:34 PM

I happen to like both the Eheim and the Ocean Runner brands.
I'm using a Eheim 1262 on my 240 as a chiller pump that's external and I'm using a Ocean Runner as a return pump on my 40 gallon zoanthid tank.
Mag pumps are excellent pumps but usually a bit noisey.

discus510 · 11/28/2009, 04:25 PM

bearpeidog - A mag 12 on a 90? I thought that much flow through the sump kinda defeated the purpose of it.
i guess it all depends on how ur doing ur sump. i guess if u have a refugium running in sump than yea too much flow will defeat purpose. i myself have a 120 gallon sump and only sump for like heater and extra pumps and stuff to pump water into calcium reactor and media reactors. i have about 4000 GPH running thru tat sump. it keeps water clean and clear and it removes lots of debris. of course with tat i dont have a in sump refugium. instead i have a 120 gallon tank for refugium

ahlebik · 11/28/2009, 08:20 PM

replacing the Mag 7 with the Eheim 1260 or 1262. It will be pumping just over 4ft up with a elbow. There was a calculator here somewhere that helped determine gph (want to stick to the 700ish area)
.Thanks for the input everyone!

skimmer - Octo Extreme 200 : Going to stick with the 200 vs the XP 2000. The XP looks nice and some people like it.... Just hard to compete with the cheaper version that you watched someone clean that day.
Thanks for that Dennis....

Andy

rdelong · 11/28/2009, 09:23 PM

Use the Eheim 1262 for your return pump. I've tried a bunch of pumps and love the 1262. It might cost twice as much but it'll last 4 times as long as anything else.

bearpeidog · 11/30/2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahlebik

bearpeidog - A mag 12 on a 90? I thought that much flow through the sump kinda defeated the purpose of it.

Not sure what you mean by defeating the purpose but I'll explain my setup. The sump is three chambers, first has the filter sock with some rock which then over flows into the second chamber where I have a G3 skimmer and then through some bubble baffles into the final chamber that has the MAG12 return. I did plumb the return with a T and a 90 degree back into the sump so I could control the flow without back pressure on the pump. However, I've always run it wide open. My initial thought was the a MAG7 might not turn over the tank enough. Thinking back when I built it, I wanted to maximize the turnover of the display tank. Anyway, may not be for everyone, which is why I posed my response as more of a question than a fact.

chow · 11/30/2009, 09:40 PM

What are you planning on having the tank? If you plan on doing more SPS, I hear you should get a skimmer that can handle double your tank size. SPS require cleaner water while LPS and softies don't more some nutrients in the water and might even do a little better with it in. I always like to plan ahead and would rather pay a little extra upfront than have to pay more to upgrade later

ahlebik · 11/30/2009, 10:19 PM

bearpeidog - My setup will be drain with sock into far right section where the skimmer will be. Then overflow into center chamber to a refugium, then to the last chamber to the return pump. To much flow will be a river in my sump that does not stand much chance at getting any filtering done. Slow sump that gets filtered to death was my plan. Well if you call like 600-700 gph slow.

chow - The original skimmer and one suggested that i decided not to go with are both rated WELL over my tank. In fact the Octo extreme 200 is 2X. Think that is even counting the 40gal sump.

bertoni · 11/30/2009, 10:26 PM

I'd probably cut the flow through the sump back to 350-400 gph, if possible. That seems to be about the right range for a skimmer, and flow through the sump is the noisiest and most expensive flow for the tank, well, most expensive in terms of electrical cost, in general. 600-700 gph isn't unreasonable, though.

11/27/2009, 10:09 PM	#1
ahlebik Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Cruces Posts: 321	Any Flaws in this? I have a glass cages 120gal (48 x 24 x 25) aquarium coming in a week or so with a 36" stand. I am starting to buy some equipment and from the help of a somewhat local shop I am looking at purchaseing: Light - Nova Extreme 8x54W skimmer - Octo Extreme 200 2X Finnex Heaters 300W titanium digitals 1 Mag Drive 7 --------Then after plumbing---------- 2X Vortex MP-40W With this setup I figure I will not have to buy anything twice because I was to conservative with the initial equipment. I will be running a 40BR DIY sump. Any thoughts or concerns with this setup? Thanks.

11/27/2009, 10:13 PM	#2
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Looks like a good starting point __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

11/28/2009, 11:32 AM	#15
Crustman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 941	Why do you need 2 heaters? Bulbs heat the tank during the day and it cools a little at night. Home thermostat comes on when it is 68. Have no problems with fish coral or clams so far. I have no heaters. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef with 8 T-5's, ATI Blue Plus, Blue Special, KZ Fiji Purple, Vertex IN 100, phosphate and carbon reactor Coralife Turbo Sea Pump

11/28/2009, 08:20 PM	#20
ahlebik Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Cruces Posts: 321	replacing the Mag 7 with the Eheim 1260 or 1262. It will be pumping just over 4ft up with a elbow. There was a calculator here somewhere that helped determine gph (want to stick to the 700ish area) .Thanks for the input everyone! skimmer - Octo Extreme 200 : Going to stick with the 200 vs the XP 2000. The XP looks nice and some people like it.... Just hard to compete with the cheaper version that you watched someone clean that day. Thanks for that Dennis.... Andy Last edited by ahlebik; 11/28/2009 at 08:26 PM.

11/30/2009, 10:26 PM	#25
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd probably cut the flow through the sump back to 350-400 gph, if possible. That seems to be about the right range for a skimmer, and flow through the sump is the noisiest and most expensive flow for the tank, well, most expensive in terms of electrical cost, in general. 600-700 gph isn't unreasonable, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/27/2009, 10:19 PM	#3
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	what are you planning on keeping in the tank? Personally the lighting and the mag 7 i would change. Mags are loud and can heat your tank a couple of degrees, they do work until the end of time and are cheap. I would go with a Tek, aquatinics, ATI over the nova as they all have better reflectors and the nova's bulbs are ok at best. They will grow corals fine though, it just depends on what you want the tank to look like in the end.

11/27/2009, 10:20 PM	#4
lin0501 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 53	You should take a look at the Reef Octopus XP-2000. It's a bit more than the Extreme 200 but I think it's worth it since it has the bubble blaster pump. My Sicce pump has given me a few startup issues already and I only had my extreme 200 for 6 months.

11/27/2009, 10:31 PM	#5
ahlebik Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Cruces Posts: 321	I realize the stock bulbs are not the best and have no issue buying replacements to suite my lighting preference. I have seen the light fixtures on tanks and they are pretty sleek and sexy looking vs bars that I would need attached to the stand to hang other fixtures. vaulted ceiling would be a pain to hang from. I will look into alternative pumps. Any recommendations?

11/28/2009, 12:24 AM	#6
ahlebik Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Cruces Posts: 321	lin0501 - The XP 2000 looks pretty nice. The extreme 200 reviews are pretty top notch. I cant find to much on the XP 2000 other than a review here and there. I think I may try out that 2000 with some more research. nikon187 - I wanted to stay away from hanging anything. With coral placement I figured I would have plenty of corals to choose from with the light the Nova can provide. 24hr lighting for a new guy like myself is quite a bargain. Still looking into return pumps. Seems they do not have a "heat" rating. Guess the Watts / gph ratio can give that? As in a pump that runs at 1W and 1k gph would run cooler than 500w at 1gph? I did figure in that I may have to cut the mag 7 back some. That would produce more heat I assume. Maybe I should stick with the 5? Will have a refugium in the sump and do not want to much flow.

11/28/2009, 12:36 AM	#7
timmyb770 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, MI Posts: 52	awsome starting point, you will really like that skimmer I had one and it worked really well!!

11/28/2009, 03:05 AM	#8
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	As long as you don't mind repplacing the stock bulbs after a couple months you are set. As i said before the nova can grow corals just fine. I would look into Ehiem pumps, they add very little heat, are dead silent and will also run for many years.

11/28/2009, 03:24 AM	#9
drewp808 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HONOLULU Posts: 143	ehiems are great but they are twice as much

11/28/2009, 04:50 AM	#10
VandyTime Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: White House Posts: 186	A small step ladder will be a must!

11/28/2009, 04:55 AM	#11
Gilbert46 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sacramento Posts: 60	doesn't the nova extreme 6 bulb make higher par then the 8 because of single reflectors? When I was considering a all t5 setup I think I came accross that. the 6 bulb would be 108 watts less and 2 fewer bulbs to replace.

11/28/2009, 09:40 AM	#12
bearpeidog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Milton, Vermont Posts: 560	Hey guys - does a MAG7 have enough turn over for 120 gallon? I run a MAG12 on my 90 with a 30 gallon sump. I would have recommended a larger return pump based on my use of the MAG12.

11/28/2009, 10:16 AM	#14
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	Eheims make very good pumps, but another brand to look at that are absolutely silent are Ocean Runners.

11/28/2009, 01:17 PM	#16
ahlebik Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Cruces Posts: 321	Gilbert46 - I also read about the Pro having higher PAR because of the reflectors. I also heard they have a different ballast that's giving people trouble. bearpeidog - A mag 12 on a 90? I thought that much flow through the sump kinda defeated the purpose of it. The MP-40s are for flow and the sump is for filtering. At least that is how I looked at it. I just got off of a 12hr midnight shift. I will do some pump research after I get some rest. Thanks nikon187 and mfinn for the pump suggestions. I usually have a hard time finding a starting point to compare items from/against since I never ran any to begin with.

11/28/2009, 01:34 PM	#18
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I happen to like both the Eheim and the Ocean Runner brands. I'm using a Eheim 1262 on my 240 as a chiller pump that's external and I'm using a Ocean Runner as a return pump on my 40 gallon zoanthid tank. Mag pumps are excellent pumps but usually a bit noisey.

11/28/2009, 04:25 PM	#19
discus510 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 803	bearpeidog - A mag 12 on a 90? I thought that much flow through the sump kinda defeated the purpose of it. i guess it all depends on how ur doing ur sump. i guess if u have a refugium running in sump than yea too much flow will defeat purpose. i myself have a 120 gallon sump and only sump for like heater and extra pumps and stuff to pump water into calcium reactor and media reactors. i have about 4000 GPH running thru tat sump. it keeps water clean and clear and it removes lots of debris. of course with tat i dont have a in sump refugium. instead i have a 120 gallon tank for refugium

11/28/2009, 09:23 PM	#21
rdelong Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cranberry Township, PA Posts: 263	Use the Eheim 1262 for your return pump. I've tried a bunch of pumps and love the 1262. It might cost twice as much but it'll last 4 times as long as anything else.

11/30/2009, 09:40 PM	#23
chow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 61	What are you planning on having the tank? If you plan on doing more SPS, I hear you should get a skimmer that can handle double your tank size. SPS require cleaner water while LPS and softies don't more some nutrients in the water and might even do a little better with it in. I always like to plan ahead and would rather pay a little extra upfront than have to pay more to upgrade later

11/30/2009, 10:19 PM	#24
ahlebik Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Cruces Posts: 321	bearpeidog - My setup will be drain with sock into far right section where the skimmer will be. Then overflow into center chamber to a refugium, then to the last chamber to the return pump. To much flow will be a river in my sump that does not stand much chance at getting any filtering done. Slow sump that gets filtered to death was my plan. Well if you call like 600-700 gph slow. chow - The original skimmer and one suggested that i decided not to go with are both rated WELL over my tank. In fact the Octo extreme 200 is 2X. Think that is even counting the 40gal sump.