All opinions please.....

[linuxguru]

Hello everyone,

Well my wife and I finally received our taxes, and a couple days ago we also came across another 55 gal w/stand and canopy FREE! Thanks to my wifes brother, long story.......anyway.

We currently have a 55 up and running, but we want to do a few things different with this new tank.

1. We have been using RO/DI water from a local "waterstore" here in town, I want a good 4 stage RO/DI unit, and I have been looking at an "OCEANUS" model, and one from Aqua FX. We also have extremely hard water where we live, would the RO/DI unit affect the hardness (minerals, calcium)? Are both of these good units? Also, would these units make exceptional drinking water also?

2. For this new tank, I want to go with an "in sump" skimmer, I currently have a remora pro on my other tank and I love it, I just want something different I guess.....I have been looking at the "Aqua C EV series", and also at the "EuroReef", they both look professional but I am looking for opinions.

3. Overflow! Overflow!, I have been doing some reading on a couple popular brands, "LifeReef", and "CPR", I am concerned about overflow problems with the CPR, but I think I read somewhere member "poseidon" says he uses one and has a powerhead in sump? I have also seen knockoffs that look identical to LifeReef models, again any opinions appreciated.

These are my main concerns and I would appreciate everyones opinion.

[Poseidon]

Both units you mentioned are great, I went on the cheap and bought mine from E-bay. I think I paid 120 or so. I also have well water, before the RO it is 640 on my TDS meter, after it is about 30-40... NOT 0 but pretty close and WAY better then straight out of the tap.

Look at My Reef, those skimmers ROCK and it will be my next skimmer. I have the kent nautilis now, and it works pretty well, but not as good as others.

Overflow! I love my CPR, it is very narrow and I have not had any issues with it. I bought the venturi kit for the maxi-jets and placed the PH in the first chamber of my sump. When the power fails the venturi has no problem restarting the overflow, long before the return pump can overfill my tank. The lifereef are nice too, they just protrude into the tank a lot more then the CPR. My overflow is not very visible when you view the tank from the front, it is tucked up in the right rear corner, and the trim hides it... My friend Matt also has the CPR, he has not had any issues either, and he uses the "Aqua lifter" pump instead of the powerhead with venturi...

[charlie]

I will second on the CPR overflow. I use one on both my 80 and my 75 gallon fuge that is attached to my 300. The aqualifter pump has been a lifesaver, and I believe they are now a suggested buy when you get the CPR overflow.
I also have the Oceanus 4 stage RO/DI, and it is a great unit!!! I added another DI cartridge and my TDS very rarely goes over 5. HTH

[linuxguru]

Hey guys, thanks for your two cents.

I have been back and forth trying to decide between the MyReef, EuroReef, or Aqua C EV series skimmers, as of the moment I am leaning towards a MR-2 by MyReef, my only concern is finding the correct pump to power this baby really good. Mind you I will be using this in sump(29g) on a 55 gal display, so I hope something like a Mag 18 wouldnt be too much???? Should I run this with an internal or external pump? My mind is still not set in stone on this skimmer just yet, crap....I dont know

I have made up my mind on the overflow and am going with the CPR 800 GPH with a aqua lifter pump, now that this is outta the way, what size return pump would you guys recommend?

[charlie]

Is the pump going to be external or internal? I think a mag9.5 might do the trick for you if the pump is internal. It all depends on how much head loss you have. HTH

[linuxguru]

Im not sure which pump to use, on MyReef's site the smallest recommended mag pump they list for the MR-2 skimmer is a Mag 18, then they have some bigger external pumps, would it make a difference how i went?

[charlie]

I was talking about your return pump, (mag 9.5). As far as your skimmer goes, I would go with what the site recommends. Either that or give him a call, he is more than willing to help you out. Is your sump drilled for an external pump also?

[linuxguru]

My bad, got turned around their, as far as the sump goes, it is not drilled, I am planning on an internal pump. From the bottom of my sump to the top of my display 4-4 1/2'..maybe a mag 12? Would I just use ball valves to regulate flow control?

[charlie]

I was thinking about a Mag12 also!!! Yes, you could use a ball valve to regulate the flow, If there is to much, you could "T" off a return back to the sump for the excess. That's what I had to do on my 80 gallon. It works!!

[linuxguru]

Sounds like a plan charlie

Another question, how exactly does the aqualifter pump work in conjunction with the CPR.......I mean, how much do I have to worry abt my tank flooding my house when Im not home or asleep and the power goes out. Also, should I get a Durso, or just straight flex tubing?

[charlie]

The aqualifter continuously pulls the air out the the overflow to keep the siphon going. I have 2 of them and really haven't had any problems. Every once in a while, something will get stuck covering up the little nipple on top of the cpr and yopu have to clean that out. Just keep an eyeball on it, just to make sure!!! They are really reliable in my eyes. No problem with the power outtage, the siphon starts right up again. If you are paranoid like me, you'll be checking it anyways .
Straight flex will work good. I used the clear plastic tubing and wrapped it with electricians tape to prevent algae buildup.

[linuxguru]

Kewl.....

Thanks for the help charlie......

[charlie]

No problem.

[Poseidon]

Charlie Nailed it.... My friend uses the aqualifter with great success, so don't worry about that. I think a Mag12 is ideal, I use that for my return too! I use the 1200 GPH model CPR and I can run the pump wide open with no problems!

[linuxguru]

What I have seen for the CPR overflow is after the 800gph single bulkhead, it jumps to a 1400gph dual bulkhead with a $5 dollar price difference on drfosters. Which way should I go. 800 seems very good and 1400 seems a little overkill for a 55gal.....what do you think?

[charlie]

The question of flow is kind of a fun one to deal with!! It depends on what you are going to have in your tank! I am of the feeling that more flow = more fun. The way you spread the flow out is really what is important.
Look at it this way, you can split that ~1400 gph up into 3 or 4 outlets, and it is no longer the 1400 gph that was advertised, but you are getting some real good random current in the tank, which is what just about every coral that I know of really appreciates. Do you see what I am getting at?

[linuxguru]

Ok, Ok,........so for example, I would get the CPR 1400 gph overflow, get a pump that would kind of match the same output to the tank and instead of having one difuser expelling all the 1400 gph into the tank, I could incorporate the flow into 3 or 4 outlets making a more even flow distribution throughout the tank with each outlet using its own percentage of the 1400 gph. All the while still circulating 1400 gph.........correct?

[charlie]

I think you're catching on, the more diverse you make the flow, the more chance you have of not creating dead spots in the tank. Dead spots = places for bad algae to start. we don't want that!!!!
Anthony Calfo has some great articles about plumbing that you should look into. You cna not only use 3-4 outlets, use as many as you think you need, again depending on what you are going to house in the tank.
That alone will take you in the direction you want to go.
Next, we could also discuss a closed loop circulation system, that could get even more fun!!!!

[linuxguru]

"Closed loop circulation system?"

Bring it on....I feel like learnin a little today

[charlie]

A closed loop is exactly what it says it is. The water comes from the tank to a pump that returns it via whatever way you want.
I take it your tank isn't drilled, so your closed loop would probably be drawn thru a siphon, down into your pump. I myself prefer external pumps for this, ie., Iwaki, little giant etc. there is no chance of flooding with these type of circulation systems, because they are basically self contained.