Starting a 150g SW tank, just wanted to introduce myself.

[robdog696]

Originally Posted by Conodor
http:///forum/post/2697848
Thanks a ton... this will help me along! I have a 40 gallon tank that would fit no problem under my tank in the cabinette. would that be overkill or better than using only a 10 gallon? i think i even have one of those laying around.
i was thinking of partioning it off so i could have some bio balls, heater, skimmer and all that stuff in the 40 gallon below the tank. researchign all of that, i guess the 2 questions on that is.
1.) would that size be overkill or helpfull
2.) will that mag 7 pump be enough to give me enough movement?
ok i'm off to bed more reading tomorrow! thanks again everyone!
40 gallon would be perfect! Mag 7 would be a little small for that size tank. Mostly what return pump you use will be determined by your overflow, though. Make sure you know what your overflow is rated for in gph before you buy one. Then you can buy the appropriate pump. I would aim for 1200 gph and use a Mag 12 return pump. Glad to have you on the forums, and best of luck! This thread will have a hundred replies by the time I see it again tomorrow. LOL!

 

[robdog696]

https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/325778/fs-overflow
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/326002/1200-overflow-box
I took the liberty of searching the classifieds for overflows for you. Hope you don't mind. Hehe. Didn't find any used return pumps though. Also, check Reef Central classifieds. But don't post there. They're jerks! LOL! And find your local reef club's website and check their classifieds as well. I check all three classifieds/live selling sections pretty much every day waiting for awesome deals to pop up. I'm so cheap! Good luck! I'm really going to bed now...

 

[conodor]

Originally Posted by Robdog696 http:///forum/post/2697869
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/326002/1200-overflow-box
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/325778/fs-overflow
I took the liberty of searching the classifieds for overflows for you. Hope you don't mind. Hehe. Didn't find any used return pumps though. Also, check Reef Central classifieds. But don't post there. They're jerks! LOL! And find your local reef club's website and check their classifieds as well. I check all three classifieds/live selling sections pretty much every day waiting for awesome deals to pop up. I'm so cheap! Good luck! I'm really going to bed now...
Any help is appreciated! thanks! i'll check the central classifieds also.
would something like this work for me if i got the right overflow?
*finding out the filter on this site is very picky with words...haha*
PondMaster Mag-Drive Waterfall/Skimmer Pump - WFP 2000 would that be a good pump?

 

[mr_x]

first i'd like to say thanks to robdog for the compliment!
secondly, the bigger the sump, the better.
third, don't mix the CC with the beautiful sugar sized substrate! teresa is right. the cc will surface and cause problems.
conodor- research hydor koralias for extra flow in the tank. koralia 4's are 1200 gph.
i totally missed the undergravel filter! don't use that either.
in the sump, you will have some live rock maybe- no bio balls. you won't need them because you have live rock to hold your bacteria. you can put your skimmer in there though. a sump will open you up to a much larger selection of good skimmers.

 

[conodor]

ok what would be better to stick in a 40 gallon tank?
Pondmaster Pond Mag 18 Pond Pump(1800 gph)
Pondmaster 3000 gph Mag-Drive Waterfall
they are 2 different style pumps. i guess my question is do i need a ceartin style?
reading up on overflows now.

 

[conodor]

Ok, found a good deal on a MAG 24. so that's out of the way. Now have to find the right size overflow.
how do you know what size would be large enough for my mag 24?

 

[lion_crazz]

Hey John, just returned your email.

 

[conodor]

THanks for the email Lion, With being told my mag24 will be to powerfull for the overflow i was looking at.
Anyone know any plans to a do it yourself overflow? or a place to buy a monster one cheap?
i'm looking but so far no luck.

 

[lion_crazz]

Why get a monster one? Just run two of the larger CPR siphonless. The largest CPR can handle 1200 gph. If you run one on each side of the tank, you could run the 2400 gph return.
However, instead of doing that, just get one overflow and get a few Koralia powerheads inside the tank. Koralia's are by far the most powerful (for the small amt. of money you are paying) and the smallest as well.

 

[mr_x]

yes..i have 2 overflows, and i use a mag24.
i could have gotten away with a mag18 though.

 

[lion_crazz]

Yep, all depends on what the overflow can handle. CPR makes overflows that do 600 gph, 800 gph, and 1200 gph.

 

[conodor]

I located some 1200 gph overflows at a decent price. So i think that'll be my direction.
so now i have my tank, pump, overflows. I took my crushed coral back today and swapped it over for some sand. I have my salt, tank located. I just need to adjust the "to wall" distance for the larger overflows. I just need to do alittle work to my sump(40gallon aquarium) and do all the plumbing.
Lasting thing i need to start working on is the Protein skimmer I found some good plans for a 6" one i'll make it 6 foot tall. looks easy enough.
Saturday is my LFS's customer appreciation day, might go see what deal they have on live rock. i looked at what they have today.

 

[lion_crazz]

Sounds good. Post any other questions you may have!

 

[arlene1995]

Hi! Welcome to the boards!
It sounds like you are off to an excellent start! The main thing with this hobby is to have patience. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[mr_x]

conodor...where are you located?

 

[robdog696]

Originally Posted by Conodor
http:///forum/post/2698848
Lasting thing i need to start working on is the Protein skimmer I found some good plans for a 6" one i'll make it 6 foot tall. looks easy enough.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of tall skimmers. It is the ugliest part of your tank, fish poop filling the collection cup. I like mine tucked neatly under my stand where no-one can see it. If you can build one you're a better man than me! LOL! Good luck! You're learning fast! Oh, and I have a mag 24 return pump with dual overflows as well.

 

[conodor]

Maybe i'll look into building a fish cabinet next to the tank, make it the same wood tone as the tank.
I'm from the detroit area of michigan.