Critique my Setup

[Diver4Life]

I am setting up a 30G Oceanic Cube

Lighting : DIY (3) 36W PC
Skimmer : MTC 22" Counter Current Skimmer
Kalk Reactor / Dosing Pump
SCWD
Return Pump : MAG 9
Sump : Looking for one

I have a 53G Oceanic Corner tank that I will be breaking down. I will be moving in the next year and am trying to decide to drill the tank or just use my existing CPR overflow box.

I am planning to keep mostly soft corals. I wanted the tank to be pretty quiet, no heat issues, and pretty maintenance free. I have been in the reefkeeping hobby for 5+ years, so this isnt my first tank.

I wanted to run this by you guys and see what you thought on the setup

 

[LA-Lawman]

looks good for softies... I saw a 70w halide on a 30g cube the other day. it looked good. not too much heat but as with any halide there is heat.

are you happy with the lighting...? do you thingk the tank is too dark?

Since you have a CPR box I would use it. move all of the filter stuff to the sump. maybe swich the skimmer. My reef creations has a HOT calcium reactor.... if you get tired mixin' kalk....

looks good.

 

[Diver4Life]

I havent hooked anything up yet. I am still trying to decide on the plumbing. I may just go with the overflow box and then drill the tank when I move.

I have MH on my 53 G and I love the MH. The problem is the heat and I want this tank in my bedroom. The (3) 36W should give even lighting.

I am planning to mount the Counter Current skimmer in the sump. It is a HOB but I am looking for a tall rigid plastic container.

I am a Kalkwasser fan and it was worked well over the years. I finally broke down and bought a kalk reactor. It makes life easier.

 

[Anonymous]

Agreed - Love the look of the cubes.

Go w/ the little halide too :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I would drill the tank myself, I've used 4 HOB overflows over the years, and while none of them failed on me or did anything "bad" really. It just looks so much cleaner with a drilled tank. And if you shatter the glass make sure you get dimensions of the piece before drilling so you'll know what size fits in there (and maybe see if the glass guys can drill a hole for you )

But for softies looks fine.

Out of curiosity what's the use of the kalk reactor? Just to have some binding agents with phosphates?

 

[Anonymous]

Drill the tank so there is less of a concern with overflowing.

I would get a 150w DE with 20K bulb pendant.

 

[Diver4Life]

I love the corraline algae and Kalkwasser is so cheap. With a dosing pump its so simple.

I may go with the HOB overflow for now and drill the tank when I move.

 

[Diver4Life]

What size bulkhead would I go with for the drilled overflow. I have always used HOB overflows so i am new to this.

I could go with a bulkhead and make my own overflow box, but how would the siphon restart after a power outage? I have also seen the standpipes on the forum. Ideas?

 

[factorytrooper]

Well i have the same tank. It depends if you care about the extra toys in the tank or in the sump. I personally say spend the money and drill it. But drill the back not the bottom because its tempered as you should know. I would go with at least a one inch bulk head for the drain and Over the top for a return. I was in your same position and i chose neither. I still have the same overflow laying around someware. My tank is right besides my bed. So i wanted as little noise as posible. And i have a remora skimmer and a stealt heater and you can't hardly tell there there.

As for lighting MH i would go with at least 150w. I prefer 250 myself.
Good Luck on the setup.

 

[Ben1]

Halides are not needed in this case IMO as you only want softies. 3 36 watt PC's would be fine but so would some T5's.

I would use a smaller return pump live a Mag 5 or ehiem. Less flow through the small sump would be better, assuming you will be getting a 20 gal or less sump. This will allow your skimmer to function better.

I would use a closed loop, with a Panworld/Iwaki external pump. If you had the extra cash a few extra holes drilled and an ocean motion added to the closed loop would make for a much healthier display.

Kalkreactors are nice, I one on each tank.

 

[Anonymous]

You are right. But in the long run the halide will cost less in replacement and not use much more watts/hour. The extra light will be appreciated. As most of us have experienced the PITA of upgrading later when we decide we want clams or SPS's. Just My Opinion.

 

[stevebydac]

If you have the cash and can squeeze it into the sump you might want to upgrade the skimmer to a Euroreef or something comparable. The skimmer is the key to your whole system. Get the best you can afford.