Help needed with 1.2 Metre Setup

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pmalan1000

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Hi Guys,

I am getting a 1,2 x 600 x 600 DT with corner overflow and 50mm hole at the bottom.
This will be linked up to a Sump of about 1.0 x 300 x 400 where the skimmer, pumps, etc will be housed.
Total Water Volume will be in the region of 580 litres.

Now, I need some advice.

What rated skimmer will be best on this setup ?

I am going to have 6 x 54w T5's - But what T5's would you suggest to make up the 6?
What rated Return pump should I be using on a setup like this ?

How many and how strong powerheads should I be using in the DT ?

It is going to be an open DT and Sump, so how high should the water level be in the DT from the edge of the system?

I want to run a DSB in the Sump, but how big and deep should the DSB be ?

Should I be running light on the DSB ?

Any other suggestions and advice will be helpfull.

Thanks in advance
 
ok, question to you
What are you planning to keep, especially coral wise. That will impact almost all your questions.

pmalan1000 said:
I want to run a DSB in the Sump, but how big and deep should the DSB be ?
Click to expand...
fine sand, 150mm

pmalan1000 said:
Should I be running light on the DSB ?
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not needed, unless you have some macro algae or something else you want to see.
 
ok, is it SPS or LPS or softy dominated system?

Lights, powerheads, filtration setup, all differ for different type of corals. Even on amemones, depending if carpet or bubble tip.

SPS system, needs cleaner water, meaning better filtration, more flow, more and better lights.

Softy systems, needs dirtier water, a bit of phosphates is fine, less flow, and less intense lights.

Think about where in the natural reef is the corals you want. Just mixing them all up, can work, but being a bit more specific and your system will be better. SPS coral will die if in front of a Vortech pump. LPS will love it. In the ocean, LPS is high up, big wave action, not a lot of settlement. Softies are lower down, less light. No big waves crashing down.

So yes, first think what you want, then setup your system towards that goal.

Open statement like, "I want corals" does not provide enough input to be able to guide you into any direction except the glass box itself.
 
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Hi Riaan,

Thanks for the advice thus far. I really appreciate the honesty and help.

Ok, i would like to have a LPS dominated system with some softies, shrooms and maybe Zoa's. Would like to setup something which can also incorporate to a lessor extent some SPS. Difficult to decided just to keep LPS or SPS... ideally would like to setup something where both can be happy. Maybe with the help of rockscaping to get them to different levels, wateflow, etc.... this is where I need help, before I setup something where nothing will thrive.

Thanks Again
 
Hallooooo.... is there anybody willing to help a poor soul like me trying to have a good start.... I will even get on my knees .... LOL
 
My 2cents, don't hold back on the skimmer. One of the most important buys. Buy as big as you can afford. My skimmer is rated about 4 times what i need, no regrets..
 
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zak said:
My 2cents, don't hold back on the skimmer. One of the most important buys. Buy as big as you can afford. My skimmer is rated about 4 times what i need, no regrets..
Click to expand...

Agree here...The bigger the skimmer the better...Im busy with about the same size setup and been doing ALOT or reading ect...Would not go smaller than 3000l/h return pump...my nano is LPS dominated with softies, so yes u can create diffrent flow and light levels with the scaping in ur tank...LPS generally thrive in low to med flow with moderate lighting..As @ RiaanP said SPS need really clean and highflow system...So if u are gonna keep SPS and ur system are very clean(no PO4 and NO3) then u gonna have to target feed ur LPS and supplement with amino acids ect else they and the softies will be very unhappy and loose colour or prob die long term...6x54W globes sould be more than enough for all the corals(SPS would need to be high up)...Colours on globes i cant help u as im going LEDS...I can tell u go geisemann or ATI as they are the best...If ur system is 600 high keep ur water level at 530-550 sould be fine...
Well my 2c the experts can correct me if im wrong...
Good luck with the tank...:thumbup:

Oh and for the flow pumps im gonna start with the WM3 system as one LFS close to me are selling them for really cheap...4 pumps with controller...
 
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zak said:
@belindamotion Help a brother with some links :)
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@zak ..haha..sorry I just saw this now...my @notification seems to be disabled again..:(
I see @Arries gave a very nice reply covering all the bases...:) unless @pmalan1000 wants actual names and Models of return pumps...protein skimmers..light unit's...etc...:blush:
 
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Hi Guys and thanks for the replies. Arries gave me a very good explanation which all seems to make sense for a change.... lol

Belinda I still need some help on lighting and the sump with DSB. I will be running 6 x 54w T5's but would like to know what combination of bulbs will be best for what I plan to do.

Regards and thanks
 
pmalan1000 said:
Hi Guys and thanks for the replies. Arries gave me a very good explanation which all seems to make sense for a change.... lol

Belinda I still need some help on lighting and the sump with DSB. I will be running 6 x 54w T5's but would like to know what combination of bulbs will be best for what I plan to do.

Regards and thanks
Click to expand...

Lol pleasure...Hit that thanx button...:thumbup:
With the lights check this tread... T5 light combination - Marine Aquariums of South Africa
On dsb i cant say much as im going reactor way..but @RiaanP can help u more there...:thumbup:
 
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What experience do you have with marine setups?

If this is your first setup, I would recommend staying away from SPS and LPS until you know how to keep your system stable and have the algae under control. Same for clams and anemones. You can buy the lights and skimmer to do the job eventually, but start with softies. Learn first how to maintain your tank. First get a matured system before adding the more difficult to keep corals and fish.
 
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Ok guys and thanx for all the advice thus far...

Finally bought my bigger setup today... thanks Keyaam for the great deal we made. Will be sorting out all the finer details in the next two weeks as we are moving at the end of the month. Setup will be something in the line of this :

1,2 x 600 wide x 600 height DT
1,2 x 500 wide x 600 heigth Sump
6 x ATI T5's (Still dont know what combination of bulbs to use)
In Sump Skimmer : Meshwheel cone protein skimmer BM-NAC77 - Dimensions: 400×310×575mm
2500L Return Pump ( Might need to upgrade this )
3 x Duel Head Sun Sun Powerheads in the DT
2 x 300W Heaters
1 x Chiller - Will run seperate return pump through the chiller to secondary return in DT

I need some advice on the DSB I want to run on the above dimensions. Calculations, drawings... anything and everything will help.

The 1,2 metre I am gonna use as the sump hasn't been equiped with chambers yet, thus the reason for me asking before I convert it into a sump.

Thanks in advance
 
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