Christmas in June

Mikilios · 06/16/2010, 10:49 AM

So I am about to get going on a 50 gallon setup with a 20 gallon sump/refugium. It has been fun doing my homework and picking out parts one by one to build my first reef system. I started by purchasing my sump tank, shortly followed by the main tank and stand.
The fun really began when my Bubble Magus Nac 6 arrived a few days back. I filled up the sump with water, dropped in the Nac 6 and fired it up. I am impressed with the quiet hum it makes. Very minimal noise (reminds me of what a tiny dishwasher might make for noise).
Tomorrow more goodies arrive... my lighting system (36 INCH CURRENT USA 6X39W NOVA EXTREME PRO T5HO 3-10K/3-460NM ACTINICS) being the main piece (as well as power heads/heater/and the mag 7 return pump). I have spent two months researching and now all my pieces are coming together. By this weekend I may actually be ready for rock and sand...

I am interested in some feedback on several things. What kind of light would be adequate for the refugium (and where could i go to buy it *cheaply*)? I plan to just grow algae in there, and possibly home for a single mandarin. I'm also looking for suggestions on where to get a good power strip with gfci? I want to mount this and the light on the underside of the main stand.
Second, any recommendations on how to do the drain line to the sump. I am thinking of drilling a 1" hole (maybe 1.5" if needed, but i believe a 1" should be enough for a 50 gallon display tank right?) and piping down to the sump. I have heard that it might be best to have the drain end of the pipe in the sump not placed underwater, but held instead just above the waters surface? At first I was thinking of doing an overflow box, but I was told by the lfs people that if I want to avoid future headaches (at least potential ones) that I should just drill the tank with a single drain line for my setup. Anywho, any feedback on this would be great.

reefbat · 06/16/2010, 12:48 PM

Grats on the new setup

.

-"What kind of light would be adequate for the refugium (and where could i go to buy it *cheaply*)"

$7 for a clamp light fixture. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

Add a compact fluorescent bulb, mabye a 6500k or 6700k if you can find it. I'm using a 5500k daylight bulb right now cause thats what I could find at the time, $6-$10.

-"where to get a good power strip with gfci?"

Don't have a pwr strip recommendation but you should seriously consider replacing the wall receptacle your tank equipment is connected to with a gfci outlet as well.

reefvilla · 06/16/2010, 01:35 PM

Sounds like your on your way!!

I recommend using a glass holes dot com overflow box (700gph unit)..... Here http://www.glass-holes.com/700-gph-O...t-gh700kit.htm
You will have to drill the tank for a 1.5" overflow. These work really nice. The price is a little high but you get the drill bit and everything needed to do it.
I have the dual overflow box on my 120g and the PVC pipes are ran completely under the water. They are vented up at the 90 degree fitting on the back of the bulkhead.

06/16/2010, 10:49 AM	#1
Mikilios Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 127	Christmas in June So I am about to get going on a 50 gallon setup with a 20 gallon sump/refugium. It has been fun doing my homework and picking out parts one by one to build my first reef system. I started by purchasing my sump tank, shortly followed by the main tank and stand. The fun really began when my Bubble Magus Nac 6 arrived a few days back. I filled up the sump with water, dropped in the Nac 6 and fired it up. I am impressed with the quiet hum it makes. Very minimal noise (reminds me of what a tiny dishwasher might make for noise). Tomorrow more goodies arrive... my lighting system (36 INCH CURRENT USA 6X39W NOVA EXTREME PRO T5HO 3-10K/3-460NM ACTINICS) being the main piece (as well as power heads/heater/and the mag 7 return pump). I have spent two months researching and now all my pieces are coming together. By this weekend I may actually be ready for rock and sand... I am interested in some feedback on several things. What kind of light would be adequate for the refugium (and where could i go to buy it cheaply)? I plan to just grow algae in there, and possibly home for a single mandarin. I'm also looking for suggestions on where to get a good power strip with gfci? I want to mount this and the light on the underside of the main stand. Second, any recommendations on how to do the drain line to the sump. I am thinking of drilling a 1" hole (maybe 1.5" if needed, but i believe a 1" should be enough for a 50 gallon display tank right?) and piping down to the sump. I have heard that it might be best to have the drain end of the pipe in the sump not placed underwater, but held instead just above the waters surface? At first I was thinking of doing an overflow box, but I was told by the lfs people that if I want to avoid future headaches (at least potential ones) that I should just drill the tank with a single drain line for my setup. Anywho, any feedback on this would be great. __________________ 50 gallon w/20 gallon sump under construction ~Mikilios~ Current Tank Info: 50 g breeder/20 g sump+refugium Bubble Magus NAC6, 45lbs live rock, 1-1.5" sand bed

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
June Meeting - Breakout Q&As	Brian Prestwood	Marine Aquarists Roundtable of Sacramento (MARS)	0	06/16/2010 07:31 AM
June Meeting. June 10 at 7.30	pwhitby	Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society	29	07/17/2006 12:03 PM
I will be gone from June 10th-June 12th.	rvitko	Tunze	2	08/04/2005 11:38 AM

06/16/2010, 12:48 PM	#2
reefbat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 85	Grats on the new setup . -"What kind of light would be adequate for the refugium (and where could i go to buy it cheaply)" $7 for a clamp light fixture. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053 Add a compact fluorescent bulb, mabye a 6500k or 6700k if you can find it. I'm using a 5500k daylight bulb right now cause thats what I could find at the time, $6-$10. -"where to get a good power strip with gfci?" Don't have a pwr strip recommendation but you should seriously consider replacing the wall receptacle your tank equipment is connected to with a gfci outlet as well.

06/16/2010, 01:35 PM	#3
reefvilla Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 464	Sounds like your on your way!! I recommend using a glass holes dot com overflow box (700gph unit)..... Here http://www.glass-holes.com/700-gph-O...t-gh700kit.htm You will have to drill the tank for a 1.5" overflow. These work really nice. The price is a little high but you get the drill bit and everything needed to do it. I have the dual overflow box on my 120g and the PVC pipes are ran completely under the water. They are vented up at the 90 degree fitting on the back of the bulkhead.