Equipment for 4ft X 2ft X 2.5ft tank

[tunicate]

Bio balls are no longer popular.

[Solo77]

bro, bioball can be good if setup correctly and bad if setup wrongly

[JL2309]

Bio balls are no longer popular.

erm...so what kind of sump tank design would be good? Do I just go to the tank maker and tell them I want a normal sump tank? Sorry...I know its a noobie question zzzz

[Solo77]

Open concept.

[dnsfpl]

if you intend to use mh(2 x 250mh and 2 x 54w T5 blue)

you need at least arctica 1/3hp or better compressor chiller

wavemaker 2 x mp40wes for sps, 1 x mp40wes + 1 or 2 tunze 6045/6065 for mix reef/fish only

as for skimmer, i will choose deltec SC 2060

you can consider putting k1 media or biohome in sump

cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W1Et_8rJRk

[JL2309]

Thanks for all info. So sump will be open concept without bio balls.

Skimmer still thinking shall I use deltec or reef octopus.

Will be calling chill down to check if my house suitable for a condenser.

Lighting im planning for G2-160w x 2

Good enough for light hunger coral if place at bottom of tank? and it should not heat up the tank water alot right?

Pleas advise.

[tunicate]

Sorry I'm new to this term "open concept sump". Does it mean without baffles?

Hope someone can enlighten me.

[Solo77]

Open concept allows you to have free play on yr sump design. However, in yr planning, u should consider the following:

1. Any mechanical filtering? Basket or filter socks, etc

2. Micro bubbles issue?

3. Space planing for equipment(in-sump or out-sump)pumps, reactor(FR & CR), UV, skimmer, drop-in coil, etc and setup(bio filter like biohome, bio ball, algae scrubber, refugium, rocks, quarantine compartment, etc)

4. Equipment maintenance space

[tunicate]

Thanks Solo77 for the details. I did take all 4 points into consideration when planning for my sump before going to my tank maker. So I guess it makes mine an "open concept sump".

[Solo77]

Just to add "open concept" is without much partition to constraint the flexibility to change yr sump setup in future. Hope this clear the "mist". Thks.

[JL2309]

Hi guys,

Pls advise on the following:

1) For pump, which is better: Eheim 1264 or Eden 159? Price about the same but heard that Eden 159 got more power?

2) For skimmer, which is suitable for my tank 4 X 2 X 2.5: Deltec 1655 or 2060? If Deltec 2060, should I take internal or external? What are the difference? External free up more space for the sump but require an extra pump to run it?

3) Lighting I'm planning for Max Spec G2-160w x 2 set. Would it be strong enough for light hunger coral if place at bottom section of tank?

Thanks.

[Guest]

Hi guys,

Pls advise on the following:

1) For pump, which is better: Eheim 1264 or Eden 159? Price about the same but heard that Eden 159 got more power?

2) For skimmer, which is suitable for my tank 4 X 2 X 2.5: Deltec 1655 or 2060? If Deltec 2060, should I take internal or external? What are the difference? External free up more space for the sump but require an extra pump to run it?

3) Lighting I'm planning for Max Spec G2-160w x 2 set. Would it be strong enough for light hunger coral if place at bottom section of tank?

Thanks.

I think the selection of your equipment should be base upon your budget, reliable of the equipment, and power consumption ect..

A external skimmer will take up more space but it will reduce heat being transfer from the pump running it, thus saving some heat on the water. Whereas a internal skimmer taking lesser space maybe easier to clean without making a mess of water spilling.

Don't think the maxspec led will be too strong for the corals.

Hope the above helps.. Happy reefing

[Solo77]

For ehiem, reliability is no doubt but nowadays they are made in roc, hence not sure whether they can maintain that. Eden, not a user, thus can comment.

From yr tank, think 1655 seems to be enough unless u want to go super over skim. For external, must prepare for leak from the joint as time goes.

Yes, doubt maxspect 160 can support yr 2.5 ht especially those corals on sandbed.

[JL2309]

I think the selection of your equipment should be base upon your budget, reliable of the equipment, and power consumption ect..

A external skimmer will take up more space but it will reduce heat being transfer from the pump running it, thus saving some heat on the water. Whereas a internal skimmer taking lesser space maybe easier to clean without making a mess of water spilling.

Don't think the maxspec led will be too strong for the corals.

Hope the above helps.. Happy reefing

Hi, thanks for clarifying on the skimmer.

You mentioned that the maxspec will not be too strong for the coral but will it be enough/suitable for coral on the sand bed? Thanks

[JL2309]

For ehiem, reliability is no doubt but nowadays they are made in roc, hence not sure whether they can maintain that. Eden, not a user, thus can comment.

From yr tank, think 1655 seems to be enough unless u want to go super over skim. For external, must prepare for leak from the joint as time goes.

Yes, doubt maxspect 160 can support yr 2.5 ht especially those corals on sandbed.

Bro, noted on your comment about the lighting. However, I was told by some that it will be enough to keep sps too(which right now I'm not intending to).

[Solo77]

for those placed on top of the tank should be alright. For those lower or sand bed coral, may not depending on what you keep. Having said that, it also depends on your lighting placement(how near to water). Anyway, dont hearsay, see it with yr own eyes to confirm. anyway, the choice is yours.

[uLtRaMaN]

2.5ht is very nice for viewing although its harder to manage, go for it, like me no regrets

[JL2309]

2.5ht is very nice for viewing although its harder to manage, go for it, like me no regrets

Yo hi. Can I know what lightings are you using pls? Thanks.

[uLtRaMaN]

Yo hi. Can I know what lightings are you using pls? Thanks.

4x80watts T5. Sufficient for my corals as im not into sps. Placing of corals is impt, b sure to place those that need more light on top.

[vincegoh]

I have 2 set of 120W LED for my 2.5' deep tank... it is ok and much stronger than my 2x250W MH.

[BFG]

Try to match your return pump flow rate to that of your skimmer pump intake flow rate. A too powerful return pump will only push water to bypass the skimmer and hence provide more nutrient to the main tank for algae to consume. For your tank size, skimmer option from Deltec is to use any model above APF851. For Reef Octopus, get the model above XP-2000. Do your research on this 2 skimmer eg cost of pump replacement if it decide to konk out, ease of maintenance and what not. Take your time.

[JL2309]

Hi guys,

After doing some research on my own and gathering feedback/information from all around, I had came up with this list which will surely burn a big hole in my pocket . As such, I would not want to buy anything wrongly at all.

I had decided to stick to a height of 2ft (One day might try SPS)as advised by many and I hope that the many seniors here can take a look at the equipment I had chosen and give feedback if it is suitable (Too strong/too weak)or should I change to something else. This tank is surely going to stay in my house until the day it crack as I won't have any space left to upgrade to a bigger size tank. As such, I had decided to go with "good" equipment so that I won't have to keep on upgrading which might end up spending more.

Tank: 4ft X 2ft X 2ft (12mm thickness glass, Only front panel - Crystal clear glass)

Sump: 42ins X 18ins X 15/20ins

Pump: 2 X Eheim 1264 (For 2 inlet)

Skimmer: Deltec TC1655

1 X Deltec FR 509 with pump

Chiller: Pending (If house enough space will go for condensor)

Lighting: Pending

Thank you all.