New Tank System Set up Advice/Criticism

BlurrVT · 01/31/2015, 10:09 AM

I currently have a 55gal freshwater tank. I am going to convert it to a Saltwater FO tank at some point and would like to start getting things in order. I've outlined the equipment I plan on using along with a few questions I have. Please comment on the set up and give any advice or criticism as needed. I've kept Saltwater before so I'm familiar with some of the needs, but this set up will be substantially more complex and things have changed a bit in the last 7 years.

Here's what I'm looking at doing.

55gal tank (not drilled)
20 gal sump about 3' below aquarium
3/4" return
Eheim 1260 pump for return (aiming for about 500gph)
1.5" overflow (not HOB box)

Is the overflow diameter too large or can it be smaller?
The pump has a 3/4" output. Is there any advantage in converting this to a 1" return given this?
I plan on putting a gate valve on the return to adjust as well as on the overflow.
Is the pump adequately sized?

Sump setup
Overflow spills into the sump which is baffled to the next chamber. Where the overflow comes in, what is the opinion on filter socks or sponges? Needed or not? Frequency of changes? The next chamber will contain some MarinePure ceramic balls. I also plan on putting in an Eheim compact 1000 pump to run a carbon reactor and GFO reactor and having their returns in this section. Pump will run both reactors with valves to adjust flow.
Next section is for the protein skimmer. I haven't decided on which one to get yet, but i'm looking at the space saver reef octopus line. Baffle to return pump area. Nothing in here but the pump.

I plan on using 2 150w Neo-Therm heaters and using an Osmolator ATO.

What additional GPH of flow is needed for FO?

I haven't researched lighting much yet, but since there will not be any coral, what type of lighting will suffice?

The big question is, what's wrong with or missing from this setup. I realize there are a lot of questions in here, but I wanted to give as much info as possible on the whole set up instead of breaking it into different threads. Thanks in advance for any help.

01/31/2015, 10:09 AM	#1
BlurrVT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 47	New Tank System Set up Advice/Criticism I currently have a 55gal freshwater tank. I am going to convert it to a Saltwater FO tank at some point and would like to start getting things in order. I've outlined the equipment I plan on using along with a few questions I have. Please comment on the set up and give any advice or criticism as needed. I've kept Saltwater before so I'm familiar with some of the needs, but this set up will be substantially more complex and things have changed a bit in the last 7 years. Here's what I'm looking at doing. 55gal tank (not drilled) 20 gal sump about 3' below aquarium 3/4" return Eheim 1260 pump for return (aiming for about 500gph) 1.5" overflow (not HOB box) Is the overflow diameter too large or can it be smaller? The pump has a 3/4" output. Is there any advantage in converting this to a 1" return given this? I plan on putting a gate valve on the return to adjust as well as on the overflow. Is the pump adequately sized? Sump setup Overflow spills into the sump which is baffled to the next chamber. Where the overflow comes in, what is the opinion on filter socks or sponges? Needed or not? Frequency of changes? The next chamber will contain some MarinePure ceramic balls. I also plan on putting in an Eheim compact 1000 pump to run a carbon reactor and GFO reactor and having their returns in this section. Pump will run both reactors with valves to adjust flow. Next section is for the protein skimmer. I haven't decided on which one to get yet, but i'm looking at the space saver reef octopus line. Baffle to return pump area. Nothing in here but the pump. I plan on using 2 150w Neo-Therm heaters and using an Osmolator ATO. What additional GPH of flow is needed for FO? I haven't researched lighting much yet, but since there will not be any coral, what type of lighting will suffice? The big question is, what's wrong with or missing from this setup. I realize there are a lot of questions in here, but I wanted to give as much info as possible on the whole set up instead of breaking it into different threads. Thanks in advance for any help.