Buying a new tank?
- Thread starter Codyisin
- Start date
Exciting stuff, looks great!
Mag 24 is WAY overkill for a 180.
Skimmer is decent but would recommend this if you want to stay that price range...
http://www.reefspecialty.com/bubble...dle-wheel-protein-skimmer-w-bubble-plate-1059
Let's assume you have 150 gallons of water in your system after taking away rock and equipment displacement in your tank and sump. That puts you around 600 gph at what you'll need to turn over the system 4 times per hour (really don't want much more IMO). Something like a Sicce 4.0 or even an Eheim 1262 would give you that and likely more. These pumps are A LOT more efficient and quiet. If I were buying a return, the newer DC pumps would get a good look. Waveline, Speedwave and the Diablos are all getting good reviews.
Also consider the skimmer you are looking at is rated for 250 gph. There is not much reason to move more water through your sump than your skimmer can process. I would rather have a weeker return pump and a higher capacity skimmer.
Mag 24 is WAY overkill for a 180.
Skimmer is decent but would recommend this if you want to stay that price range...
http://www.reefspecialty.com/bubble...dle-wheel-protein-skimmer-w-bubble-plate-1059
Let's assume you have 150 gallons of water in your system after taking away rock and equipment displacement in your tank and sump. That puts you around 600 gph at what you'll need to turn over the system 4 times per hour (really don't want much more IMO). Something like a Sicce 4.0 or even an Eheim 1262 would give you that and likely more. These pumps are A LOT more efficient and quiet. If I were buying a return, the newer DC pumps would get a good look. Waveline, Speedwave and the Diablos are all getting good reviews.
Also consider the skimmer you are looking at is rated for 250 gph. There is not much reason to move more water through your sump than your skimmer can process. I would rather have a weeker return pump and a higher capacity skimmer.
I like the Bubble Magus skimmer I have on my tank... works great. I had an Eshopps skimmer and the Bubble Magus way out performs it.
One return would be my preference but you can do two if you want. Again, your shorting for an overall turnover of 3 to 5 times your system per hour. Whether that happens with 1 or 2 pumps is up to you. When looking at pumps, check the pump curve graphs/charts to see how many gph pump will do at a given height. Guessing the top of your tank is about 4 feet so you'll want something that pumps +\- 600 gph at 4 feet.
Not sure that split drain to the refugium is going to work. You should T off your return pipe to bring water to the fuge section. Both drains would then go to the skimmer section. Keep any turns and Ts in mind when figuring out your return pumps output as they add to head loss. Use valves in the return line to help dial in the flow as needed.
Not sure that split drain to the refugium is going to work. You should T off your return pipe to bring water to the fuge section. Both drains would then go to the skimmer section. Keep any turns and Ts in mind when figuring out your return pumps output as they add to head loss. Use valves in the return line to help dial in the flow as needed.
