75g Questions

drew2005

Active Member
Just picked up a used 75g AGA reef ready and i have a couple questions....Bear with me im new to reef ready tanks.
#1 - Which hole is for the return and which is for the drain? One hole is 1.5" The other is 1.75"
#2 - What size return pump would you recommend for this tank? I was thinking Mag 7 or 9.5
#3 - Is a 20 gallon sump/fuge sufficient for this size tank?
#4 - Would a 4" sand bed be sufficient?
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
The larger hole is going to be for the drain to the sump and will take a 1" bulkhead. The smaller hole is for the return line to the tank and will take a 3/4" bulkhead.
As far as return pump, it really depends on how much head you are going to have. One of those two pumps is probably going to work really well for you.
If you have room for a bigger sump/fuge then I would go bigger. I personally did a 30 gal for my sump/fuge when I put my tank together in Dec./Jan. HTH
 

drew2005

Active Member
Originally Posted by cmaxwell39
The larger hole is going to be for the drain to the sump and will take a 1" bulkhead. The smaller hole is for the return line to the tank and will take a 3/4" bulkhead.
As far as return pump, it really depends on how much head you are going to have. One of those two pumps is probably going to work really well for you.
If you have room for a bigger sump/fuge then I would go bigger. I personally did a 30 gal for my sump/fuge when I put my tank together in Dec./Jan. HTH
Thanks for the reply. I'm building my own stand so space really isn't an issue. I can most likely get a 30g under there without a problem. I'm figuring theres going to be about a 3 foot head. I'm putting in a durso standpipe to cut down on noise. Not sure what they are rated for. The standard megaflow from AGA is rated at 600gph. Which is better a slip bulkhead or threaded bulkhead?
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
I am running a durso standpipe as well and really like it. Hardly any noise at all. If you are doing your own stand you may want to even consider going to a 40 gal for your sump/fuge. That was my original plan until I figured out that I could not put a 48" tank under my stand and I didn't have the height to go with a 40 tall. Anyway, I think you will be happy either way. I used slip bulkheads, but I do not know if one is necessarily better than the other. I suppose it depends on how you are running your plumbing. I went with slip because I hardpiped all my plumbing (standard pvc, not flexible tubing) and so I could just glue in to the slip bulkheads and not have to worry about an adapter. I suppose if you were going to use flexible tubing and needed to install a barb fitting to connect it threaded might be better.
You may also want to see if you can get Squidds help in designing your sump/fuge. I know that he was a ton of help when I set mine up and has a lot more knowledge than I do. I can only share what I have done and the reasons that I had for making those decisions. He should be able to give you more options than what I can. HTH.
 

drew2005

Active Member
Originally Posted by cmaxwell39
I am running a durso standpipe as well and really like it. Hardly any noise at all. If you are doing your own stand you may want to even consider going to a 40 gal for your sump/fuge. That was my original plan until I figured out that I could not put a 48" tank under my stand and I didn't have the height to go with a 40 tall. Anyway, I think you will be happy either way. I used slip bulkheads, but I do not know if one is necessarily better than the other. I suppose it depends on how you are running your plumbing. I went with slip because I hardpiped all my plumbing (standard pvc, not flexible tubing) and so I could just glue in to the slip bulkheads and not have to worry about an adapter. I suppose if you were going to use flexible tubing and needed to install a barb fitting to connect it threaded might be better.
You may also want to see if you can get Squidds help in designing your sump/fuge. I know that he was a ton of help when I set mine up and has a lot more knowledge than I do. I can only share what I have done and the reasons that I had for making those decisions. He should be able to give you more options than what I can. HTH.
Whichever I can get a could deal on, a 30g or 40g, then I will go with that. Either way ill have at least a 100 gallon system going. I was thinking of doing all hardpiped plumbing. I plan on splitting the drain and running each pipe to 2 seperate areas in the sump. One will drain into the protein skimmer compartment and the other into the fuge area. If i hardpipe everything then i have to use a slip bulkhead right? I get a little confused when it comes to bulkheads. If the drain to the sump takes a 1" bulkhead, then the standpipe should be 1" right?
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
The bulkhead will be one inch, but the standpipe itself will actually be bumped up to 1 1/4". Google durso standpipes to find a site that will give you step by step directions to build that standpipe or order one directly from them.
As far as slip bulkheads go, you do not have to use slip bulkheads. You could use threaded bulkheads and use male or female pipe thread adapters to connect to your plumbing. I simply found it easier to just use slip bulkheads and glue the plumbing directly into them.
 

drew2005

Active Member
Originally Posted by cmaxwell39
The bulkhead will be one inch, but the standpipe itself will actually be bumped up to 1 1/4". Google durso standpipes to find a site that will give you step by step directions to build that standpipe or order one directly from them.
As far as slip bulkheads go, you do not have to use slip bulkheads. You could use threaded bulkheads and use male or female pipe thread adapters to connect to your plumbing. I simply found it easier to just use slip bulkheads and glue the plumbing directly into them.
Before i order this stuff lemme make sure i got it right. So i need a 1" bulkhead for the drain. A 3/4" bulkhead for the return. And i need to order a standpipe for a 1" bulkhead. Am i right or am i just retarded and can't figure it out? :hilarious I'll order a Mag 7 for return pump.
 

drew2005

Active Member
Originally Posted by cmaxwell39
That should be right.
Sorry to keep asking dumb questions. These drilled tanks are new to me. Thanks for all your help.
 
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