New Tank Set-up - Suggestions?

[thardin]

Hello, 1st post, so forgive the length. I am in the process of consolidating three tanks into one reef tank. I found myself not keeping up with maintainence on multiple tanks, so I am consolidating.
I have a 135 Gal display tank presently running a 20gal sump. I just purchased (2) 100 gallon rubbermaid aggricultural containers for sump/refugium in basement. I have 450# southdown sand I will be putting in the first container, topping with 150# live sand and 100# live rock. I will use gravity to feed the 2nd 100gal container which will have 200# Southdown and will be used as a refugium to grow macroalgae. I have a 2" SD/live sand bed in display tank with about 150# live rock in tank with Hippo Tang. Planning on adding fully cured live rock to bring to 1.5#/gal ratio.
I need some assistance on the following items, so I can set up this system:

1. Required water turn-over - How many GPH do I need to properly run this size system (135g display + 150g in sumps)?
2. Suggestions on return pumps - would have 10' of head plus 3 or 4 90deg fittiings to spraybar in tank.
3. Tank is not drilled - If I use (2)overflows, what are the best kind? Is there a way to put a float valve or sensor on the tank that would shut off the return pump if the overflow siphon failed so I would not pump out sumps onto floor?
4. Lighting - Will be using my PC's in basement over sump & refugium. Want to build light hood with (3) 400W MH @ 10,000K. What would should I use for supplementary lighting?

Any help with these questions would be greatly appreciated. I have been viewing for over a year, but this is my 1st post.

 

[31-2c]

You don't give the dimensions of your tank. I may get flamed for this, but unless your tank is pretty deep, you probably do not need the 3x400watt MH. I would think that 3x250 with some VHO or PC actinics would do fine. The 400's would really produce a ton of heat. I do not see anything in your setup that includes a chiller.

Just a thought.

David

 

[amber]

re: question #1. I was told that you need tank water to turn over 5-6 times per hour. I can't remember your tank and sump size, but if you had 200 gal tank system that would be about 1000 to 1200 gph. (mine is 125 + 20. it is at 650 gph) I think it also depends on what animals you are keeping.
amber

 

[thardin]

Thanks for the responses. The tank water volume should be about 250 gallons. I guess I would need about 1250 to 1500 gph turnover then. I do not want to be limited in what I keep, so I'll assume worst case and buy a large pump to take care of 1500 gph. As far as lighting, I would like to be able to keep clams and hard corals down the road, when more experienced. I was told I would need 400 watt halides as the tank is 72" long x 18" wide x 18" deep. As far as a chiller, the sump and refugium will have a surface area of 24sf, so I thought I would try blowing large fans over the water to cool it. If that does not work, a chiller will be installed.
My major concern is not having a drilled tank and how much flow I can get from a couple of hang-on overflows.