75 gallon reef set-up

[fishy]

Hey, just wanted some feedback for the set-up I'm working on right now.

I am looking at the 75 AGA tank with overflow (750 gph, i believe). I was planning on using both bulkheads in the AGA overflow as drains with Durso standpipes for both (size of standpipe?). This should give me 2x750 = 1500 gph draining into my 20 G sump. Protien skimmed by AquaC EV-120.

Now for the external pump:

A Dolphin AMP master 2100 (1.5" in/out) with a Tee on the out for some of the extra flow returning to the sump (recirculation). What is the reputation on the Dolphin line? Can I go smaller?

Or

A Mag 18 (0.75" in/out)

Advice?
What is the difference between a 'common ball valve' and a 'gate valve'?

The PVC return will run up the back of the tank and Tee off into 2 smaller diameter PVC pipe which will attach to 2 3/4" Sea-Swirls on either side of the back of the tank.

Lighting:

Coralife Retro kit mounted on 12" DIY canopy with 2 3" fans on either end.

2 - 175 W 10,000K MH with 2 - 110 W VHO actinics

Going with this kit instead of HQI's because of cost.

So, that long speel, just to say, what do you think?
Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks, fishy.
;)

[Reefland]

Welcome to Reefland!

The drain hole for the overflow is not the restricting factor for the # of gallons per hour it can hanlde, it's the corner overflow itself. On mine, I removed both of the large pieces (where the returns would come through the overflow) and I guess it can take between 1000-12000gph before the water would go over top of the plastic. I have a 1.5" standpipe and utilize the return; reducing it to 1/2". So my answer is going to be using a MAG 7 on the sump return and a MAG 18 on a closed loop.

What is the difference between a 'common ball valve' and a 'gate valve'?

A gate valve gives you better more defined control of the water flow versus the ball valve. I use a ball valve on my return line.

Just FYI, I went with the 250w HQI on my 75 and am glad I did.

Scott Z.

[fishy]

Reefland,

Thanks for the reply!

So, you're suggesting that I use the AGA overflow as it is set up (1.5" Durso standpipe and 1/2" return powered by a MAG 7)?

I didn't understand what you meant by opening (?) up the overflow itself for more gph's.

Then, drill a hole in the back of the tank (where? how high? size?) for the closed loop system powered by a MAG 18 (how about the Dolphin 2700 - like MtnDewMan's set-up... filtermania.com) leading to the 2 3/4" Sea Swirls?

Also, I'm going to DIY the stand using pine 2x4's. Do I need a center brace (2x4) at the middle - 2' mark for the 75 gallon tank? I've seen it done on 180 gallon tanks, but they are 6' long. Will the corner posts (2-2x4's = 4x4) alone be strong enough?

Thanks again, fishy

[dougchambers]

Fishy,

Take a look at our site under the [SETUP] section. We run an AGA 75RR with a 20 gallon sump and a MAG 9.5 for return. I always recommend gate valves over ball valves for flow control!

Take a look and let me know if you have any questions.

Doug

[fishy]

Doug,

Beautiful looking tank! Thanks for the link to your site.

Couple of questions for you.

1. How's your Red Sea Wavemaster? I was looking on Ocean Encounters and they have a Aquarium Systems Natural wave strip with 2 Maxi-jet 1200 PH's for $79. I was thinking that this would be a good addition with my return pump (Mag 9.5 or Mag 12) leading up the bulkhead to a 3/4 Sea Swirl (set in the middle of the tank... the PH's mounted on either side of the tank pointing toward the middle). Any ideas?

2. Is the Sea Swirl neccessary or could I use a bigger return pump like a GenX MAK4 (1190 gph @ 4') instead and still use the MJ 1200's on the Wave strip? If it is too powerful I could always use a gate valve on the return line to recirculate water back to the sump/ref.

I like the idea of a closed loop (1.5" bulkhead) running a Dolphin 2700, but I don't want to shell out the cash (now) for another pump.

Cheers, fishy?

[dougchambers]

Fishy,

Our tank is progressing... I need to get a few new shots this weekend with all the changes we made. We pulled the Green Hammers out and loaded a ton of SPS last weekend. Barry has two clams headed our way Friday too. All-in-all we think it looks good given it’s only been setup since March.

The WaveMaster has worked great. We use it with 3 power heads. One creates counter current across the back of the tank behind the rock, one shoots out the corner opposite the overflow, and the third one pushes out of the corner next to the overflow.

I run the 4th channel of the WaveMaster for our skimmer. When we feed or do maintenance it is very handy to hit the "FEED" button to shut off the skimmer and turn it back on after 30 minutes. I also like the night-mode which drops down the frequency of cycling power heads at night.

The Seaswirls look nice, I haven't tried one, but have seen others use them with great success.

It's really personal preference on bigger pumps with Seaswirls or power heads. Our MAG9.5 and three MJ900 power heads seem to do well for our setup. I also saw a setup last weekend where a 90 gallon tank utilized a distribution manifold in the hood to run 4 separate returns. He had the returns in each corner of the tank and could adjust the flow to each nozzle. It worked very well! I've considered pulling one of my power heads out and looking at a manifold after seeing his.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Doug

[fishy]

Doug,

A distrubution manifold?

Is that like a PVC loop that would run around the top of the tank with exits at each of the corners? What's the link to that tank you saw?

I'm not crazy about the idea of the SS (mostly out of added cost), but it still would be cheaper than running a closed loop with a Amp Master 2700. Also, I would like not to have any PH's in the tank, but without the closed loop it would be impossible to get enough flow. Maybe I should consider just using the MAG 9.5 for the return and forking over the cash for the Amp Master 2700 for the closed loop. Any ideas?

Where would I plumb the 1.5" bulkhead? In the middle of the tank just above the 5" DSB ?

Exit from the Amp master would lead back up the tank in 1.5" PVC and split via a Tee into 2 3/4" PVC piping that would run around the top of the tank with several exits.

Ah, money. What is it anyway?!!

Cheers, fishy?