Finally starting to plan out my upgrade. Existing 40b has been up and running for over a year with great growth. I have been on the site for a while and thought the upgrade was a great time to start a build thread. Without further adieu the initial equipment list.....
Tank DSA 225 PRO 72x27x27 center overflow with three 1" drains and two 3/4" returns
Sump Custom 48x20x18 filter socks, refugium, frag
Lights Pacific Sun Pandora S-4 145wx4 LED and 4x80 T5
Skimmer Warner Marine MF 181 Kone ** to be upgraded when needed
Return Jebao DC12000 DC pump **
Flow 2 1" Sea Swirls supplemented with Jebao WP-25** or Vortechs** (still in research)
Calcium Rx GEO 612 **
Media Rx Skimz FM100 **
Controller Apex lite, 2 EB8, VDM, WXM, LSM, Breakout Box **
Sand SSB with Tropic Eden Reeflakes
Rock BRS Reef Saver and Pukani **
** items are already acquired
The Tank will be a mixed reef heavy on the SPS as I have gotten bit pretty hard by the bug :tongue:
Still trying to decide if a couple Sea Swirls with the Jebao DC12000 will be sufficient flow or if I will need to supplement it. I have 3 MP10's on my 40b and love the flow, just hate the noise!! Also have two new in the box Jebao WP25 that I could use. I am really trying to keep everything really nice and clean looking so trying to stay away from a bunch of PH's in the display. My concern with the Sea Swirls is I do not want to run too much flow through the sump. One option would be to use my Speedwave DC 790gph pump for the return using the factory 2 x 3/4" and using the DC12000 as a closed loop with 2 or 4 Sea Swirls. That would keep flow through the sump down while having great random flow in the display. I am open to any thoughts or ideas, would like to hear from some Sea Swirl users.
I already have the WM skimmer and will use that until I decide on a replacement. Been looking at the Diablo DCS200 , the new Skimz DC skimmers as well as others. I really like the DC pumps so that would be my first choice.
For lighting I really wanted to go LED on this build, but still like my T5's so the Pac Sun looks perfect. Definitely pricey, but it really sounds like they have done some great research and have been having terrific success with SPS colors and growth with the new SMT cores. I have done DIY LEDs as well as the AI Sols and Vegas with varying degrees of success/happiness. I think for the money the Pac Sun is a pretty good value. If you add up the equivalent number of Radions or Hydra 52's plus a 4 80w T5 retro and you are preety much in the same ballpark.
I will DIY the stand along the sidewall of my home theater (the reason noise is a concern). The stand will be flanked by two side units with storage in the bottom half (one side ATO tank, other side electronics) and shelving on the top.
Inspiration for the stand
I am still designing the sump but the initial plan is as follows. Using a Beananimal drain into a filter sock, next to skimmer compartment, then to the fuge, then to the frag compartment and finally the return section. Looks like I can get this all done in the 48" length using a raceway design for the fuge and frag area. I have a spare AI SOL I can use for lighting. I have a dedicated 33l in the fish room for frags, but wanted a place to keep fresh cut frags in the system but out of the display. The lighting will run reverse of the DT so should also help with stabilizing PH.
STOCK LIST
Fish coming over from existing system
Tailspot Blenny
2 Green Chromis
Sailfin Tang
Flame fin Tang
Yellow Tang
Snowflake Clown
Orange spot goby (maybe re-homed)
Chalk Bass
Additional fish will consist mostly of flasher wrasses and Anthias. I prefer the look of many smaller reef fishes.
Recent FTS of my 40b
Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to offer suggestions or advise.
Tank DSA 225 PRO 72x27x27 center overflow with three 1" drains and two 3/4" returns
Sump Custom 48x20x18 filter socks, refugium, frag
Lights Pacific Sun Pandora S-4 145wx4 LED and 4x80 T5
Skimmer Warner Marine MF 181 Kone ** to be upgraded when needed
Return Jebao DC12000 DC pump **
Flow 2 1" Sea Swirls supplemented with Jebao WP-25** or Vortechs** (still in research)
Calcium Rx GEO 612 **
Media Rx Skimz FM100 **
Controller Apex lite, 2 EB8, VDM, WXM, LSM, Breakout Box **
Sand SSB with Tropic Eden Reeflakes
Rock BRS Reef Saver and Pukani **
** items are already acquired
The Tank will be a mixed reef heavy on the SPS as I have gotten bit pretty hard by the bug :tongue:
Still trying to decide if a couple Sea Swirls with the Jebao DC12000 will be sufficient flow or if I will need to supplement it. I have 3 MP10's on my 40b and love the flow, just hate the noise!! Also have two new in the box Jebao WP25 that I could use. I am really trying to keep everything really nice and clean looking so trying to stay away from a bunch of PH's in the display. My concern with the Sea Swirls is I do not want to run too much flow through the sump. One option would be to use my Speedwave DC 790gph pump for the return using the factory 2 x 3/4" and using the DC12000 as a closed loop with 2 or 4 Sea Swirls. That would keep flow through the sump down while having great random flow in the display. I am open to any thoughts or ideas, would like to hear from some Sea Swirl users.
I already have the WM skimmer and will use that until I decide on a replacement. Been looking at the Diablo DCS200 , the new Skimz DC skimmers as well as others. I really like the DC pumps so that would be my first choice.
For lighting I really wanted to go LED on this build, but still like my T5's so the Pac Sun looks perfect. Definitely pricey, but it really sounds like they have done some great research and have been having terrific success with SPS colors and growth with the new SMT cores. I have done DIY LEDs as well as the AI Sols and Vegas with varying degrees of success/happiness. I think for the money the Pac Sun is a pretty good value. If you add up the equivalent number of Radions or Hydra 52's plus a 4 80w T5 retro and you are preety much in the same ballpark.
I will DIY the stand along the sidewall of my home theater (the reason noise is a concern). The stand will be flanked by two side units with storage in the bottom half (one side ATO tank, other side electronics) and shelving on the top.
Inspiration for the stand
I am still designing the sump but the initial plan is as follows. Using a Beananimal drain into a filter sock, next to skimmer compartment, then to the fuge, then to the frag compartment and finally the return section. Looks like I can get this all done in the 48" length using a raceway design for the fuge and frag area. I have a spare AI SOL I can use for lighting. I have a dedicated 33l in the fish room for frags, but wanted a place to keep fresh cut frags in the system but out of the display. The lighting will run reverse of the DT so should also help with stabilizing PH.
STOCK LIST
Fish coming over from existing system
Tailspot Blenny
2 Green Chromis
Sailfin Tang
Flame fin Tang
Yellow Tang
Snowflake Clown
Orange spot goby (maybe re-homed)
Chalk Bass
Additional fish will consist mostly of flasher wrasses and Anthias. I prefer the look of many smaller reef fishes.
Recent FTS of my 40b
Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to offer suggestions or advise.
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