newbie here with plenty of questions

[xsputnikx]

Hey guys this is my first post ive been doing research the past few weeks and getting everything I need to get my saltwater setup going...

I was posting on some other sites till I found a local site ..

I have a 75 gallon... its going to be a coral tank

I have pretty much decided on doing a internal overflow that im going to make and I will be using one drain and 2 returns...

I just wanted to know what are the usual size bulkheads that are used for good adequate flow?... what do you recommend..

I have a under cabinet sump tank thats around a 30 gallon.. that i made myself I will be using a downdraft skimmer..

but im still unsure on which skimmer im hoping I can get something used...

so far the only thing I have is:

75 gallon tank, (have to re silicone and get frame for top and bottom glass is 48x18x20 and is 3/8 thick) Im still trying to locate frames with no luck..

I have a custom stand and canopy ive been working on for the past 2 weeks..

I have a 1/4 acrylic sump I made myself

I had a skimmer till the cat knocked it off the counter.. it was a cheap ebay one anyway so i didnt think it would be that great..

I have a instant ocean salt tester

and I have a sock that goes in my sump.. and thats it..

I know I have a long way to go but if you guys could kind of help me make up my mind on what size bulkheads to use... and what size plumming, what pumps, what skimmer, what type of filtration system should I use inside my sump.. right now its just a box have not added any chambers yet..

I was also playing with the idea of getting my own pluming and making my own downdraft skimmer out of the tubing I have and just replace the top somehow...

any insight would be appreciated..

 

[xsputnikx]

not to shoot down your recommendation at all but what do you guys think of these as compared to the Iwaki pumps?

 

[xsputnikx]

ok im still trying to get a idea for how I set up the plumming... with the down draft skimmmer, and sump tank... would I also need a seperate pump for my skimmer or what.. im still unclear on what setup works the best

 

[smoothie]

If you have the room then get an external pump for your 75 to reduce heat. Iwaki is a great pump as well as blueline/panworld pumps. The mag and quiet ones are great internal pumps.
You could go bigger on the external pump and have it feed you return and skimmer.

 

[xsputnikx]

not to shoot down your recommendation at all but what do you guys think of these as compared to the Iwaki pumps?

 

[dakota9]

Welcome.... Go with the Mag. Cheap and easy to replace, plus spare parts are readily available...

 

[xsputnikx]

ok.. lol.. the more answers I have the more questions I have.. can the mag pum be used externally...?... I really dont want a internal pump...

 

[smoothie]

xsputnikx;466697 wrote: ok.. lol.. the more answers I have the more questions I have.. can the mag pum be used externally...?... I really dont want a internal pump...

I agree with the iwaki. MRC is a sponsor. Check out there link in the sponsor forum

 

[xsputnikx]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mak-4-like-gen-x-pcx40-external-pump-new-in-box_W0QQitemZ290403345855QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439d6365bf">http://cgi.ebay.com/Mak-4-like-gen-x-pcx40-external-pump-new-in-box_W0QQitemZ290403345855QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439d6365bf</a>...

was also thinkin bout somethin like this.. yes no?

 

[smoothie]

Blueline is super quiet

 

[xsputnikx]

ok.. one last question about the pumps... whats the ideal gph for something like a 75 to 120 gallon setup?... .. is it the more the better..?... I only ask cause I I plan to go from a 75 gallon to a 120 at a later date..

 

[smoothie]

Are you only using it as a return or are you splitting it off for a skimmer or uv sterylizer? Either it is smart to use a valve to control the flow you need and if you ever need to replace or repair the pump

 

[xsputnikx]

It really depends on what option is going to be cheaper.... and the most effective... If I could spend a lil more for 1 pump and the plummin to hook everything up and come out a lil cheaper than getting a skimmer with a 2nd power head then that would be great... plus the less things I have to plug up the better on my energy bill....

if any of you guys are familiar with the youtube vids la fishguys he does a 100 gallon reef tank setup.. I really liked how everything was done and im trying to set my tank up very similar.. with the exception of I will not be installing a calcium reactor.. unless needed at a later date

 

[smoothie]

Post up the link please.

 

[xsputnikx]

http://www.lafishguys.com/54-%20Skimmer&Reactor-01.htm">http://www.lafishguys.com/54-%20Skimmer&Reactor-01.htm</a>

I believe this is the best video that shows the complete setup to give ya a idea of the direction I want to go ...

there is like 12 videos that pertain to that one tank setup and they are kind of long to watch all of them but basically this one goes thru pretty much everything under the cabinet...