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ds4x4's Perfecto 220g Build

Baxreefs

Baxreefs

Brandon

Just trying to catch up with you here, man you're moving fast!

If you can drill your sump, I think in the long run, you'll be happier with an external pump.

Definitley more smaller heaters is better and control as many as you can as Phyl said. I like the VisTherm 250w Stealths, they are inexpensive, built tough and have been very dependable.

IDK bout salt, quite a debate there, I use IO salt, it seems to work, so I am sticking with it.

Any more thoughts on your lights?
 
D

ds4x4

I was checking out Lumenbright reflectors with the glass covers that Melev has on his tank.. He got some awesome PAR readings with a 250MH and ICAP E-Ballast

http://www.melevsreef.com/par_readings.html
http://www.reefspecialty.com/Lighting-Reflectors-|-Pendants/c14_28/index.html


I think eventually i may try my hand at making an acrylic sump that has alot of volume and put a Refuge in the center instead of having an external one like i plan to do for now.. What GPH is recommended for a Refuge BTW?

as for salt i think i might stick with IO
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

in terms of the fug - I think you want it not too fast as you want a chance for the pods and such to reproduce. But you also don't want it too slow so that cyano gets a chance to grow. This was a pet peeve of mine with the hob refugiums - I always felt the pump was underpowered.

In other words - there is no "set gph" for the fug. :)

Of course - that's just my 2 cents. Others may say otherwise. I'd be interested to hearing what other people do successfully.
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

My fuge is set up like that with a Mag 12 ...the water flows pretty quick across the top but lower it is pretty stagnate...I am starting to get some pods growning now in the fuge at least. Cheato likes good flow by the way if you read up on it.
 
Baxreefs

Baxreefs

I've always looked for 3-5x of the fuge volume in gph through the fuge. Then I have a PH in the fuge stiring it.

I am also looking at the Ice Cap 250 E ballast for my new tank. the Lumenbrights are great reflectors too! I already have the Lumenacrs so I'll use those.
 
D

ds4x4

did you check out Melev's PAR testing.. that ballast for the 250 was almost better than the 400.. i think that's my ticket..

minimal list for next week that will get the tank some salt, heat and water flow..

mag 18 used or new or mag 12 used.. if i gotta buy new then i'd rather get an 18
2- 250W stealth heaters probably a 3rd.
IO salt bucket
flow directors and tubing.

What is better on the flow directors, the round outlet or the flat outlet?

i might just decide which skimmer i want and then change the layout of the sump to include a fuge instead of an external with another tank, another pump, having to drill for a bulkhead, etc..etc..


Edit: Found another link just for you Phyl :) Salt Analysis by Reef Central
http://www.aquariumwatertesting.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf

Bax.. Discussion on RC about the Lumen Bright Reflector http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1384067&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
 
D

ds4x4

buying stuff is on hold since Hidden Reef is having their sale the 22nd so i might as well catch a break on what i need..

I have those 72" VHO's.. would the ICE Cap 660 ballast work for these or do i need one to each light? I was thinking of a sunlight bulb also since the MH's are going to only be on like 6hours.. i dunno just a thought
 
D

ds4x4

Hawkeye said:
any updates? I saw on another thread you picked up something....is it any good?
Click to expand...

If i did i sure don't remember haha :p lots of looking though.. Mostly waiting for Hidden Reefs sale this weekend.


List for this weekend. this relies on items being in stock BTW

Bucket or two of IO
2 Marineland Stealth Heaters 250W
4 Loc Lines with flow spreaders
Ice Cap 430 VHO ballast -maybe-
Ice Cap 250W MH E-Ballast
15"+ wide tank for a sump if not found by then
Mag 18
some inverts and maybe a fish or two and a coral or three ;) (For the 55)
Fine Carribean Sand..
plumbing supplies/nylon rods for LR support
Lumen Bright mini if they have them
reeflux 10k SE bulb ^


Did i tell you i love sales???? :D
I'm still a little peeved i haven't been able to find a 15"+ wide tank for accommodate the MSX250 skimmer..
 
Baxreefs

Baxreefs

Hey Brandon, hope you ick up some good deals at the sale. And, I am pretty sure that a 430W ballast will run 2 x 72" VHO tubes, a 660 might even run more? That I am am not sure of but 2 x each fir certain.
 
D

ds4x4

i posted a question in the Ice Cap Section on RC and got an answer within a couple hours..

From Ice Cap Service
Click to expand...
You have 2 options. The model 430 will handle 2 of these lamps with no problem. The 660 will also only run 2 of the 6 foot lamps.
With the model 430 you will be at the limitations of the ballast. With the model 660 you could add an additional 4 foot lamp as it will handle 16 total feet of lamp length.
Click to expand...

haha.. 40 breeder from a LFS was 90-95 $$ i guess that will be last choice ::). That is new BTW
 
panmanmatt

panmanmatt

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
That was only a month ago. Try emailing him and see if you get a response, his email addy is in his profile.
 
D

ds4x4

well..... as much as i like the lumenbrights i don't know if they are going to work. i moved the tank a little to try and line the floor joists up with the cross braces but i'm afraid that the lights being 17" off the water may create shadows.. so in lieu of this i may be throwing cheap spider reflectors up to get me through until i decide what i'm doing.. IF i can't use the lumenbrights I will be very upset that i lowered the tank, it was at such a beautiful height for standing view. other than that, plans are still on schedule with a little setback on the possibility of spending $95 on a tank for the sump :(..

in other news i did set up and fill my 10gal tank for raising copepods/rotifiers. i'm going to set up a 20 gal long for a quarantine tank and plan on one fish at a time even though i know how hard that is going to be. a stocking list will be coming shortly ;)
 
D

ds4x4

Good news and bad news...............


good news, all plumbed in had flow ..

bad news.. I don't think that the Mag 18 is enough for the two overflows. i have to cut the valve back on the overflow line or the sump starts to fill up.. ugh :(
 
D

ds4x4

i think i figured out the problem to the above the piping is too small..

(gravity assumes no pressure) -which a Mag drive is not a pressure pump
this is the GPM/GPH of the 1" ID i have now..
Diam1" Actual ID1.00-1.03" OD1.33" Gravity 16 gpm Gravity 960 gph


1.5" that is recommended in the instructions

ID 1.5" Actual ID 1.50-1.60" OD1.90" Gravity 35 gpm Gravity 2100 gph

Reference
http://flexpvc.com/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml
 
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