Setting up 135 gallon tank...plumbing, and lights?

bramjansen · 09/22/2006, 12:34 AM

I am switching to a 135 gallon tank. I have never done the plumbing. It is a glas stank and I will have at least one overflow (700 gph cpr kind).

I figured tube going from overflow to sump/refugium and then returned by a 700 gph internal pump. Very simple, but that is why I need to know whether I am doing the right thing. If I want more flow in my tank without inserting pumps inside the tank, what can I do??

Secondly, in the canopy, I want to install t5 lights. The tank is 72 inches long, and 18inches wide. What setup of t5 lights would you install? I want to order from these guys, do I need a retrofit kit or DIY retro kit? What is the difference? Are their prizes good?

Any other hints and advise are greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

hey fishy fishy · 09/22/2006, 01:12 AM

search the diy or equipment forum, may find some useful info

Avi · 09/22/2006, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bramjansen
I am switching to a 135 gallon tank. I have never done the plumbing. It is a glas stank and I will have at least one overflow (700 gph cpr kind).

I wonder why you're going with the CPR kind. I suppose it's all right if you make sure you understand how they work and have the air pump on it. I prefer the overflows with the U-tubes, myself. I suggest that you have two hang-ons on a 132-gallon tank. It's generally safer and provides better general sirculation.

Quote:

Originally posted by bramjansen
I figured tube going from overflow to sump/refugium and then returned by a 700 gph internal pump. Very simple...

Well, it isn't quite SO simple. Any pump you use will have some "head loss" which means, basically, that the water flow it makes would be slowed down by trying to defeat gravity by pushing the water in an upward direction, making turns, etc. So, for your application, you'd really need a pump that is rated somewhat higher than exactly the 700gph you're shooting for. Use this calculator to chose a pump:

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

Quote:

Originally posted by bramjansen
[B]If I want more flow in my tank without inserting pumps inside the tank, what can I do??[B]

Having sufficient waterflow is something that, IMO, is often underestimated. But without using powerheads inside your tank, since your tank wouldn't be drilled, you'd have to create a manifold for the back of the tank, using PVC, driven by a pump in the sumy or plumbed "dry."

Quote:

Originally posted by bramjansen
[B]I want to install t5 lights. The tank is 72 inches long, and 18inches wide. What setup of t5 lights would you install? I want to order from these guys, do I need a retrofit kit or DIY retro kit? What is the difference? Are their prizes good?[B]

If you're using t5s on a tank that big, I recommend that you use a unit that can accomodate 8 bulbs. There are various bulb choices you can make but be sure that you're able to do this on your own or get a fixture with everything ready to go onto the tank, or be suspended from above. I guess the difference between retrofits per se and DIY is that in the case of DIY, there's more parts you'd have to chose and have to put together yourself.

You didn't mention a specific vendor or specific unit, so there's no way of saying if the prices are good or not, Bram.

Other recommendations....at least 1.5-pounds of live rock per gallon of water, and the very very best protein skimmer you can afford to buy....and patience in doing this.

bramjansen · 09/22/2006, 08:01 PM

Thank you so much for the reply! Very helpful. The site I am using for T5's is www.innovativelights.com

They recommended the 4* 80 watt lighting. What do you think?

I presuume the retro kit will be easy to install inside the canopy, or am I wrong?

I got a Euroreef skimmer, with a 3500 needle wheel. IS this ok?

Why do you not recommend cpr overflow? I though these were the best? I always have trouble with my tube. PLease let me know why I should not buy the cpr!

Thank you again so much for your help, and anyone else posting to this thread!

Shagsbeard · 09/22/2006, 08:20 PM

I got my return pump too close to the max rating on my overflow box. Your HOB overflow is rated for 700gph I wouldn't try to push it... if you get it too close to it's max flow you get too many airbubbles, which cause noise and spoil the look of your tank. I'd undershoot on the return pump if I had it to do over. You can get more flow with powerheads or a closed loop if you need it.

meco65 · 09/22/2006, 08:56 PM

If you need more flow and do not want pumps in the tank you can do a DIY closed loop. Here is a pick fron meleves reef.[IMG]

[/IMG]
and also a link.
http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

Avi · 09/23/2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bramjansen
Thank you so much for the reply! Very helpful. The site I am using for T5's is www.innovativelights.com

They recommended the 4* 80 watt lighting. What do you think?

Well, you don't mention what your intentions are as far as corals are concerned and that's very relevant because some corals...some very popular and desireable corals....need more light intensity than others. Having four 80-watt bulbs (though I'm not familiar with them from any experience) wouldn't be sufficient for very many corals that you may well ultimately want to keep and you'd be limiting yourself with that kind of setup.

Quote:

Originally posted by bramjansen
I presuume the retro kit will be easy to install inside the canopy, or am I wrong??

Retro kits are very popular and though I've never installed one, myself, I think from what I've read here in RC that it isn't very difficult and there'll be plenty of step by step help here if you need it.

Quote:

Originally posted by bramjansen
I got a Euroreef skimmer, with a 3500 needle wheel. IS this ok?

EuroReef is one of the most hightly recommended protein skimmers in these forums. I'd think that if you got one that is rated for about 40 to 50% bigger than the 135-gallon reef that you'll have, you'll be in good shape.

Quote:

Originally posted by bramjansen
Why do you not recommend cpr overflow? I though these were the best? I always have trouble with my tube. PLease let me know why I should not buy the cpr!?

I don't think that they're necessary for what they offer. Though they handle a little more flow I believe, than the overflows with the U-tubes, they are a bit more temperamental and require an air pump to make certain that the flow doesn't cut off...I'm given to understand that it's because air can collect in them and the flow will be interrupted. Once you understand how to get the siphon going on an overflow with the U-tube, they're really reliable and trouble free. Though, I'd think that a CPR could be fine once you understand its operation and have the air pump on it.

Thank you again so much for your help, and anyone else posting to this thread! [/B][/QUOTE]

bramjansen · 09/23/2006, 10:04 PM

Thanks againf or all the input! That was very helpful. I truly appreciate your advice. Have a great Sunday.

Bram

09/22/2006, 12:34 AM	#1
bramjansen Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redwood City CA 94063 Posts: 166	Setting up 135 gallon tank...plumbing, and lights? I am switching to a 135 gallon tank. I have never done the plumbing. It is a glas stank and I will have at least one overflow (700 gph cpr kind). I figured tube going from overflow to sump/refugium and then returned by a 700 gph internal pump. Very simple, but that is why I need to know whether I am doing the right thing. If I want more flow in my tank without inserting pumps inside the tank, what can I do?? Secondly, in the canopy, I want to install t5 lights. The tank is 72 inches long, and 18inches wide. What setup of t5 lights would you install? I want to order from these guys, do I need a retrofit kit or DIY retro kit? What is the difference? Are their prizes good? Any other hints and advise are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

09/22/2006, 08:01 PM	#4
bramjansen Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redwood City CA 94063 Posts: 166	Awesome reply Thank you so much for the reply! Very helpful. The site I am using for T5's is www.innovativelights.com They recommended the 4* 80 watt lighting. What do you think? I presuume the retro kit will be easy to install inside the canopy, or am I wrong? I got a Euroreef skimmer, with a 3500 needle wheel. IS this ok? Why do you not recommend cpr overflow? I though these were the best? I always have trouble with my tube. PLease let me know why I should not buy the cpr! Thank you again so much for your help, and anyone else posting to this thread!

09/22/2006, 08:56 PM	#6
meco65 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,603	If you need more flow and do not want pumps in the tank you can do a DIY closed loop. Here is a pick fron meleves reef.[IMG][/IMG] and also a link. http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

09/23/2006, 10:04 PM	#8
bramjansen Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redwood City CA 94063 Posts: 166	Thanks! Thanks againf or all the input! That was very helpful. I truly appreciate your advice. Have a great Sunday. Bram

09/22/2006, 01:12 AM	#2
hey fishy fishy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: www Posts: 80	search the diy or equipment forum, may find some useful info

09/22/2006, 08:20 PM	#5
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	I got my return pump too close to the max rating on my overflow box. Your HOB overflow is rated for 700gph I wouldn't try to push it... if you get it too close to it's max flow you get too many airbubbles, which cause noise and spoil the look of your tank. I'd undershoot on the return pump if I had it to do over. You can get more flow with powerheads or a closed loop if you need it.