question about upgrading to 75gal

[reefNewbie]

I was wondering what I would have to upgrade, hardware wise, if im going from my current 30gal/20 gal sump to a berlin 75gal/20gal sump.
I have the following:
-48in Dual 175watt with 80 watts of actinic
-shitty protein skimmer(obviously needs upgrade)
-Hang on Tank Overflow box
-400 gph PH for water return
-250watt Pro Heat II(digital LCD)

my main question is what should i do as far as water flow? I no that 400gph is not enough for a 75gal/20gal sump setup. I also heard that hang on tank overflows are not as good. The overflow i have has about an inch and a half diameter hose, so i think that it will be big enough for taking what ever amout of water from the tank i need. So Im guessing that all i need to upgrade is the PH to a larger one. thanks for your help

 

[Tcook]

Depends on what you are going to keep. Have you purchased the tank? If not, consider getting a reef-ready. You won't have to worry about a siphon box losing it's siphon. I have a LifeReef siphon box on my 55 and haven't had any problems though. You can also throw the heater in a corner box (if setup with a standpipe) making more room in the sump.

For a dedicated return you might want to consider the Sen 900 or Mag9. If you are going to run the skimmer off this then at least a Mag12. I use a Mag12 on my 55 for the return and to run an AquaC EV-150.

Lighting looks good. You might consider using tow 110 watt VHOs instead of the 40 watt tubes.

Just some thoughts. I'm sure you will get plenty of ideas.

 

[reefNewbie]

well if im planning on getting the turboflotor 1000 with ocean runner pump, then what PH would you recommend for getting water from sump to tank?

 

[Anonymous]

Anything around 700gph should do you just fine if you have other ph's in the tank for circulation. that will be around 10x your tank volume. Unless youplan on splitting the output in the tank with a spraybar, or the like, I would go with the afore mentioned mag 9.5 (950 gph)

Brett

 

[reefNewbie]

if i go with that mag 9.5 then i wouldnt need any other PH? still have sufficient current for corals and anemones?

 

[beerbaron]

I have a 75 with a mag 950 as a return. it works great, but i also have the biggest powersweep powerhead, as well as a rio 2100 on a sea swirl. you should be fine with the mag 950 and the current pump you have. as far as lights go you should be fine. definatly get the reef ready tank. also, if i were you id go with a bigger sump. its cheap to get a large rubbermade container, youll be glad you have the extra room.
BB

 

[beerbaron]

something i forgot- you dont neccisarily have to get a bigger skimmer till you actually get more livestock thus higher bioload in there. all your really doing at first is adding more water volume. so you could put that off for a while so you can afford the rest (if moneys a prob) oh and ill say it again, get the reef ready :!:
BB

 

[ErikS]

Since I'm about to do the same upgrade (38 to 75) I thought I'd chime in. I second the thought of getting a reef ready tank, I have a LifeReef overflow & though reliable I think it's much easier to have a built in overflow.

Another return pump you might want to consider is an Ocean Runner 3500. It's a 900 gph pump & by the time you factor in the head you'll probably be getting about 700gph "through the tank" - just about perfect. IMHO the build quality is so much better than MAG as to make the MAG look laughable. I've only had the pump a day or so but I can tell you it blows the MAG out of the water. What I really dislike about MAG pumps are that they are rated pumping through a 1" pipe - it's not until you get to a MAG24 that it actually HAS a 1" outlet - !@#$%^!@#$%^ I have a MAG7 now & it's supposed to pump 700gph @ 0' - my guess is more like 500 (maybe). For example, I could run the MAG full open on my 38, the OR3500 I have to throttle back MORE than 50% - hmmmm......doesn't sound like a mere 200gph difference to me.

Anyway, rant aside - lol - one of the sponsors has the Ocean Runners on sale at excellent prices! (http://www.inverts.com).

Aside from the pump & skimmer upgrade it looks like you have most everything covered.

 

[reefNewbie]

alright, sounds good. Where though, can I find reef ready tanks? how much will it be about for a 75?

 

[ErikS]

Depends on your area, in my area a new RR 75 AGA goes for under $200. By comparison a standard 75 goes for $99.

 

[Tcook]

It will be interesting to see how the Ocean Runner pumps pan out. I have had many Mag pumps and hate them, especially the Mag7. All of mine have failed to restart after power failures despite regular cleaning. The Ocean Runner looks like a good alternative.

 

[ErikS]

Tcook -

I sure hope the OR's are reliable. As I mentioned I have a MAG7 & I've not been impressed. What I did notice about the OR -

1. It's huge, the pump is 7.5" long, 6.5" wide, and over 6" tall.
2. It's built like a tank, the housing is very nice
3. NO SCREWS - hurray! The intake uses an o-ring with a locking collar
4. The impellar shaft (ceramic) is about 1/8" thick
5. Outflow has 3/4" hose barb, 3/4" MPT, and can be glued (must be glued for inline w/ the 3500)
6. 900gph w/ 70 watts - energy effecient

Also Aqua Medic states that it's designed to run in a "high calcium" environment so I'm hoping that it won't require the cleanings that the MAG line does - another hurray! The best news is that Coral Reef Aquarium is selling the 3500 for the price of a MAG7