WIP - 40 Breeder

[dsmhero]

For holding up the pvc, I am going to make some acrylic plates about an 1" or so wide with a brace for the pvc that runs across the tank and sets in the frames ledge. Does that make any sense? lol

Should I go farther down the tank?

 

[CarlaW]

Yeah........................ that makes sense.

I think if it were me, I would just leave it the way it is designed, and direct the water flow across the top of the tank. Might give better air exchange too.

 

[dsmhero]

Ok, I may leave it like that for the time being.

So with this setup my theoretical flow rates are as follows with head loss accounted for:

Mag5: 251gph 6.3x turnover
Mag7: 367gph 9.2x turnover
Mag9: 532gph 13.3x turnover

Now my goal would be around 400gph(10x turnover) through the sump/refugium.

Should I go with the pump thats closest(Mag7) or go larger and use the ball valve to turn it down?

 

[CarlaW]

LOL.................................. go big and ball valve, or........................... extend the returns and it would have the same effect, wouldn't it.

 

[CarlaW]

Or, extend the return lines and drop off two more outlets, one on each side

 

[dsmhero]

Or, extend the return lines and drop off two more outlets, one on each side

The ball valve is going to be there no matter what, so I should probably go big and just turn it down some. If I extend the lines and add a few more outlets, do you think it will improve the flow to the tank or is it wasted effort?

 

[CarlaW]

Kelan, it is so hard to say if it will be good or not, it depends on alot of things that we don't really see right now because there is no rock structure to factor in. If you built it right, you could also just take it out and chop off and cap the extra 2 outlets. You see where I am coming from here??? When you get water in it, you have the basic design, try 4 outlets, and see what it does.

 

[dsmhero]

Yeah, I am overthinking a lot of this. Thank you for your input.

 

[CarlaW]

this is really the fun part, you gotta forgive me for playin the devils advocate here, but I have built a few of these things, and you always end up doin something different than what you had "set in stone".

 

[dsmhero]

OK, another dilemma......I was completely set on dong a DIY LED setup but now I have a more open mind.

So convince me otherwise....

 

[DevonM]

this is really the fun part, you gotta forgive me for playin the devils advocate here, but I have built a few of these things, and you always end up doin something different than what you had "set in stone".

... +1

 

[CarlaW]

OK, another dilemma......I was completely set on dong a DIY LED setup but now I have a more open mind.

So convince me otherwise....

I am not gonna do that. I wanna see what your sps do under that light before I say anything. If they can keep their color under the LED lites, then more power to you.

 

[dsmhero]

Yeah I think it will be fun to experiment with some LED's and see how it goes.

Some tank updates:

I added some tie plates to the stand, due to it being slightly wobbly. So now its rock solid.

Received a 29 gallon tank for the sump, just have to order some glass for the baffles.

Also ordered a Reef Octopus XS160 Protein Skimmer, which should be here on Thursday. It is slowly coming together!

 

[CarlaW]

Yeah I think it will be fun to experiment with some LED's and see how it goes.

Some tank updates:

I added some tie plates to the stand, due to it being slightly wobbly. So now its rock solid.

Received a 29 gallon tank for the sump, just have to order some glass for the baffles.

Also ordered a Reef Octopus XS160 Protein Skimmer, which should be here on Thursday. It is slowly coming together!

If the sps brown out, then you know you got a problem.

 

[dsmhero]

I am interested to see how my LED/PC hybrid does in my 12g, nothing has browned yet. I am guessing I should give it a few months before making in general statements.

 

[CarlaW]

It is like everything in this hobby, nothing good ever happens fast, so yeah, ride the wave for a while.

 

[dsmhero]

Just a little update:

Bought a mag7 for my return pump and ordered an mp10wES. I decided that the best design for flow in this tank would be two mp10wES's on opposite sides, the single mp40 would be good for awhile but I think once the SPS started to get larger the flow would dramatically change for the worse. Pics once I receive the mp10.

 

[CarlaW]

Looking forward to the pics

 

[Bennettp]

Not a bad choice. 2 Mp10's is the way to go. I'm running a mag 5 and an mp10. The mag pumps are a little louder than I would have liked though, they vibrate pretty bad and mine didn't come with any suction cups or anything to dampen the noise. I put a piece of filter floss under it and it seemed to quite down after a bit though.

 

[DevonM]

Yep, the filter pad is a must! I used a bit thicker pad than filter floss but it works well for my Mag 24s.