newbie tank setup -- equipment questions

bdock26 · 01/29/2006, 11:23 AM

just got a 92g corner reef-ready tank and had a few equipment questions. i'm planning on using a Euro-fil sump (22 gals) and ASM skimmer and a Current USA Orbit 36" 4x96W power compact system.

The overflow has a max flow of 600gph, what size return pump should i be using? -- told by LFS that as long as my return does not exceed the 600gph (at about 4 foot head) i should not have any problems with overlow, etc. Is this correct?

Also i'm looking at an ASM G-2 rated up to 200 gallons. Does it make sense to get a skimmer rated for more than your tank size (would like to keep a heavy fish load if possible) -- are there any adverse affects of this?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide with these questions. And do you think this sounds like a good overall system?

Scuba_Steve · 01/29/2006, 11:29 AM

To Reef Central
i would get a mag 7. with the head pressure you should have no probs, but you can use a ball valve to throttle it back some if you do. i dont think you can ever really overskim so you will be fine with that skimmer

Scuba_Steve · 01/29/2006, 11:34 AM

also, i take it by your lighting selection that you want to keep some corals. corals and a really heavy fish load dont always get along. I would stock a normal load or a slightly smaller load. Also that mag 7 isnt going to provide a whole lot of flow in the display so you might want to get some powerheads or look into a closed loop. other than that it sounds like you are on your way to a nice tank! how much lr do you plan on having? what type of fish and corals?

bdock26 · 01/29/2006, 12:05 PM

thanks for the info on the pump and ball valve setup. i plan on about 100lbs of live rock and mostly soft corals, maybe some SPS (would this lighting be sufficien?). Regarding fish load, what would be considered a "normal load" in a reef tank of this size -- i was hoping to house maybe 5 or 6 fish in the 3-4" size?

Scuba_Steve · 01/29/2006, 12:21 PM

that should be fine for fish, you could get away with more actually as long as you keep up your maintance. ive never kept sps yet, but if you did want to keep some it would definately have to be at the very top of the tank without halides. also make sure everything is well established before adding most sps. most say wait at least 6 months if not a year.

fishykid9212 · 02/04/2006, 10:42 AM

I have a 92G corner, and Im using a 750gph pump

01/29/2006, 11:23 AM	#1
bdock26 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 21	newbie tank setup -- equipment questions just got a 92g corner reef-ready tank and had a few equipment questions. i'm planning on using a Euro-fil sump (22 gals) and ASM skimmer and a Current USA Orbit 36" 4x96W power compact system. The overflow has a max flow of 600gph, what size return pump should i be using? -- told by LFS that as long as my return does not exceed the 600gph (at about 4 foot head) i should not have any problems with overlow, etc. Is this correct? Also i'm looking at an ASM G-2 rated up to 200 gallons. Does it make sense to get a skimmer rated for more than your tank size (would like to keep a heavy fish load if possible) -- are there any adverse affects of this? Thanks for any help anyone can provide with these questions. And do you think this sounds like a good overall system?

01/29/2006, 11:29 AM	#2
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	*To Reef Central* i would get a mag 7. with the head pressure you should have no probs, but you can use a ball valve to throttle it back some if you do. i dont think you can ever really overskim so you will be fine with that skimmer

01/29/2006, 11:34 AM	#3
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	also, i take it by your lighting selection that you want to keep some corals. corals and a really heavy fish load dont always get along. I would stock a normal load or a slightly smaller load. Also that mag 7 isnt going to provide a whole lot of flow in the display so you might want to get some powerheads or look into a closed loop. other than that it sounds like you are on your way to a nice tank! how much lr do you plan on having? what type of fish and corals?

01/29/2006, 12:05 PM	#4
bdock26 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 21	thanks for the info on the pump and ball valve setup. i plan on about 100lbs of live rock and mostly soft corals, maybe some SPS (would this lighting be sufficien?). Regarding fish load, what would be considered a "normal load" in a reef tank of this size -- i was hoping to house maybe 5 or 6 fish in the 3-4" size?

01/29/2006, 12:21 PM	#5
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	that should be fine for fish, you could get away with more actually as long as you keep up your maintance. ive never kept sps yet, but if you did want to keep some it would definately have to be at the very top of the tank without halides. also make sure everything is well established before adding most sps. most say wait at least 6 months if not a year.

02/04/2006, 10:42 AM	#6
fishykid9212 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,470	I have a 92G corner, and Im using a 750gph pump