New System Setup and Install today...

[Mark Henry]

Okay,

Well, thanks again for everyone's comments, suggestions, and guffaws. I
purchased my tank and system components yesterday and thought I would
share it here:

65g Glass tank - 36x18x24 w/ matching stand and canopy
Terminator II Skimmer for in-sump use
MegaFlow Sump, model 2
Coralife Digital Power Center (dual)
Visi-therm Deluxe Heater (200 watt) x2 (for in sump)
Model 900 Wavemaker System w/
Rio Aqua 2100+ pump (for return from sump)
Continuous Siphon Overflow w/ 1" bulkhead and Aqua Lifter Pump
Aqualight Pro 36" 280watt w/ 2 lunar lamps

I bought the tank from my LFS and the rest from Dr Foster and Smith.
They've got a great sale going on and free shipping (even on heavy stuff
like reef salt). Total cost was just under $900.

I'll post photos to my website as I put everything together.

mark h

[Wayne Sallee]

Big Mistake.

You should have gotten a tank with a built in overflow,
instead of trying to save money by getting a regular tank,
and ordering the overflow box.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Mark Henry wrote on 12/13/2005 6:45 AM:
> Okay,
>
> Well, thanks again for everyone's comments, suggestions, and guffaws. I
> purchased my tank and system components yesterday and thought I would
> share it here:
>
> 65g Glass tank - 36x18x24 w/ matching stand and canopy
> Terminator II Skimmer for in-sump use
> MegaFlow Sump, model 2
> Coralife Digital Power Center (dual)
> Visi-therm Deluxe Heater (200 watt) x2 (for in sump)
> Model 900 Wavemaker System w/
> Rio Aqua 2100+ pump (for return from sump)
> Continuous Siphon Overflow w/ 1" bulkhead and Aqua Lifter Pump
> Aqualight Pro 36" 280watt w/ 2 lunar lamps
>
> I bought the tank from my LFS and the rest from Dr Foster and Smith.
> They've got a great sale going on and free shipping (even on heavy stuff
> like reef salt). Total cost was just under $900.
>
> I'll post photos to my website as I put everything together.
>
> mark h
>

[Wayne Sallee]

Also instead of getting a wet dry filter, you should have
put a sump in there, as a wet dry filter will reduce your
denitrification, and you would have been beter off to have
gotten more lighting over the tank. I would have gone with
a double mh 175 wat giving it a total of 350 wats of light
over 65 gallons being 5.38 wats of light per gallon.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Wayne Sallee wrote on 12/13/2005 10:39 AM:
> Big Mistake.
>
> You should have gotten a tank with a built in overflow, instead of
> trying to save money by getting a regular tank, and ordering the
> overflow box.
>
> Wayne Sallee
> Wayne's Pets
>
>
>
> Mark Henry wrote on 12/13/2005 6:45 AM:
>
>> Okay,
>>
>> Well, thanks again for everyone's comments, suggestions, and guffaws.
>> I purchased my tank and system components yesterday and thought I
>> would share it here:
>>
>> 65g Glass tank - 36x18x24 w/ matching stand and canopy
>> Terminator II Skimmer for in-sump use
>> MegaFlow Sump, model 2
>> Coralife Digital Power Center (dual)
>> Visi-therm Deluxe Heater (200 watt) x2 (for in sump)
>> Model 900 Wavemaker System w/
>> Rio Aqua 2100+ pump (for return from sump)
>> Continuous Siphon Overflow w/ 1" bulkhead and Aqua Lifter Pump
>> Aqualight Pro 36" 280watt w/ 2 lunar lamps
>>
>> I bought the tank from my LFS and the rest from Dr Foster and Smith.
>> They've got a great sale going on and free shipping (even on heavy
>> stuff like reef salt). Total cost was just under $900.
>>
>> I'll post photos to my website as I put everything together.
>>
>> mark h
>>

[Mark Henry]

Wayne Sallee wrote:
>
> You should have gotten a tank with a built in overflow, instead of
> trying to save money by getting a regular tank, and ordering the
> overflow box.
>

The tank, stand, and hood were free. So, the difference would have been
in the range of $500 for another combo setup that was drilled, plus the
cost for the kit. So, what would the great negative be for using an
overflow box that would offset the $500 difference?

mark h

[Mark Henry]

Wayne Sallee wrote:

> Also instead of getting a wet dry filter, you should have put a sump in
> there, as a wet dry filter will reduce your denitrification

Again, there's pros and cons to both sides of the wet/dry vs sump
discussion. I bought what I could afford, based on the advice of several
professionals as well as numerous reference materials and will see how
it works.

> and you would have been beter off to have gotten more lighting over the tank. I
> would have gone with a double mh 175 wat giving it a total of 350 wats
> of light over 65 gallons being 5.38 wats of light per gallon.
>

True, more light is usually better. Unless of course you're shooting for
a deeper water reef as opposed to a shallow water - which is what I'm
attempting to do.

Thanks for your suggestions and commentary.

mark h

[Wayne Sallee]

Oh I didn't realize you had the tank given to you. Yea
that does make big difference :-)

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Mark Henry wrote on 12/13/2005 11:02 AM:
> Wayne Sallee wrote:
>
>>
>> You should have gotten a tank with a built in overflow, instead of
>> trying to save money by getting a regular tank, and ordering the
>> overflow box.
>>
>
> The tank, stand, and hood were free. So, the difference would have been
> in the range of $500 for another combo setup that was drilled, plus the
> cost for the kit. So, what would the great negative be for using an
> overflow box that would offset the $500 difference?
>
> mark h

[Wayne Sallee]

You can always take the bioballs out later, but since you
have it now, you might as well use it, as it will make
things more stable in the begining.

Why a deep water reef? What's your plans there?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Mark Henry wrote on 12/13/2005 11:11 AM:
> Wayne Sallee wrote:
>
>> Also instead of getting a wet dry filter, you should have put a sump
>> in there, as a wet dry filter will reduce your denitrification
>
>
> Again, there's pros and cons to both sides of the wet/dry vs sump
> discussion. I bought what I could afford, based on the advice of several
> professionals as well as numerous reference materials and will see how
> it works.
>
>> and you would have been beter off to have gotten more lighting over
>> the tank. I would have gone with a double mh 175 wat giving it a total
>> of 350 wats of light over 65 gallons being 5.38 wats of light per gallon.
>>
>
> True, more light is usually better. Unless of course you're shooting for
> a deeper water reef as opposed to a shallow water - which is what I'm
> attempting to do.
>
> Thanks for your suggestions and commentary.
>
> mark h

[Wayne Sallee]

You said in your previous post, that you bought the tank
from your LFS.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Mark Henry wrote on 12/13/2005 11:02 AM:
> Wayne Sallee wrote:
>
>>
>> You should have gotten a tank with a built in overflow, instead of
>> trying to save money by getting a regular tank, and ordering the
>> overflow box.
>>
>
> The tank, stand, and hood were free. So, the difference would have been
> in the range of $500 for another combo setup that was drilled, plus the
> cost for the kit. So, what would the great negative be for using an
> overflow box that would offset the $500 difference?
>
> mark h

[BigHaig]

See if you can get it drilled in the back, then make a built in overflow
Anthony Calfo style. I used an external overflow once, and WILL NEVER DO IT
AGAIN. Trust me, it will make life so much easier.


"Mark Henry" > wrote in message
.. .
> Wayne Sallee wrote:
>>
>> You should have gotten a tank with a built in overflow, instead of trying
>> to save money by getting a regular tank, and ordering the overflow box.
>>
>
> The tank, stand, and hood were free. So, the difference would have been in
> the range of $500 for another combo setup that was drilled, plus the cost
> for the kit. So, what would the great negative be for using an overflow
> box that would offset the $500 difference?
>
> mark h

[Fish2Keep]

"Mark Henry" > wrote in message
om...
> Okay,
>
> Well, thanks again for everyone's comments, suggestions, and guffaws. I
> purchased my tank and system components yesterday and thought I would
> share it here:
>
> 65g Glass tank - 36x18x24 w/ matching stand and canopy
> Terminator II Skimmer for in-sump use
> MegaFlow Sump, model 2
> Coralife Digital Power Center (dual)
> Visi-therm Deluxe Heater (200 watt) x2 (for in sump)
> Model 900 Wavemaker System w/
> Rio Aqua 2100+ pump (for return from sump)
> Continuous Siphon Overflow w/ 1" bulkhead and Aqua Lifter Pump
> Aqualight Pro 36" 280watt w/ 2 lunar lamps
>
> I bought the tank from my LFS and the rest from Dr Foster and Smith.
> They've got a great sale going on and free shipping (even on heavy stuff
> like reef salt). Total cost was just under $900.
>
> I'll post photos to my website as I put everything together.
>
> mark h
>


Sound pretty good setup :)
--
http://www.fish2keep.com
Tropical | Marine | Coldwater

[Mark Henry]

Wayne Sallee wrote:
>
> Why a deep water reef? What's your plans there?
>

Part of it was simply for the ambiance. I wanted a dim[mer] (read, more
"blue") tank than my 55g planted freshwater on the other side of the
room. I'm planning to paint the back wall of the tank a very deep blue
and go with heavy (but slow) water movement to recreate a Fiji reef face
at something around 45-60' in depth.

At least that's the plan.

mark h

[Mark Henry]

Wayne Sallee wrote:

> You said in your previous post, that you bought the tank from your LFS.
>

It was a trade situation. The tank had been special ordered for a
customer who then refused to take it. Rather than ship it back I traded
out some ciclids, BRPs, and a couple choice koi from the pond for the
setup. I think I came out seriously ahead, but then again the guys at
the LFS think they did too. So I guess that makes it a win-win???

mark h

[Mark Henry]

BigHaig wrote:

> See if you can get it drilled in the back, then make a built in overflow
> Anthony Calfo style. I used an external overflow once, and WILL NEVER DO IT
> AGAIN. Trust me, it will make life so much easier.
>


Yes, but why? Is is salt build-up? Problems with restarting after a
power outage? Difficulty in maintenance... what? If you can describe
what didn't work, chances are a fix can be figured out which, if it
doesn't completely cure the problem, might at least mitigate the
situation enough to make it tolerable.

Thanks,

mark h

[BigHaig]

The biggest issue is FLOODS. Do a search on Google for issues with external
overflows. The siphon stops for no reason, but your return keeps pumping
water into the tank....FLOOD. Even if you use a pump to suck air out of the
siphon people have had issues. My issue was keeping the return rate and the
siphon rate equal. It worked great for two months, then I came home one
night and it had just started to overflow the tank. Somehow the siphon
slowed.....It will just give you the added level of comfort if there is no
siphon to worry about.

BH


"Mark Henry" > wrote in message
...
> BigHaig wrote:
>
>> See if you can get it drilled in the back, then make a built in overflow
>> Anthony Calfo style. I used an external overflow once, and WILL NEVER DO
>> IT AGAIN. Trust me, it will make life so much easier.
>>
>
>
> Yes, but why? Is is salt build-up? Problems with restarting after a power
> outage? Difficulty in maintenance... what? If you can describe what didn't
> work, chances are a fix can be figured out which, if it doesn't completely
> cure the problem, might at least mitigate the situation enough to make it
> tolerable.
>
> Thanks,
>
> mark h

[Mark Henry]

Okay, now that makes some sence. So, I need to make sure that my sump is
big enough to handle all the water the siphon might send it if the
return pump dies, and I have to have the level in the tank low enough to
handle all the water in the sump if the siphon quits.

Does that sound about right?

mark h

[BigHaig]

Yes, you need to find the perfect balance should the system fail. I no
longer have a external overflow, but regularly test my levels in the sump
and tank to make sure there is not overflow should my pumps fail or power go
out. It will be tougher with an external because if the siphon breaks the
pump will still push water until the sump is empty. So you need space = the
amount of water in sump to avoid an flood.




"Mark Henry" > wrote in message
...
> Okay, now that makes some sence. So, I need to make sure that my sump is
> big enough to handle all the water the siphon might send it if the return
> pump dies, and I have to have the level in the tank low enough to handle
> all the water in the sump if the siphon quits.
>
> Does that sound about right?
>
> mark h

[Matthew]

I go a step further and have a float switch in my overflow that will turn
off the pump if the water level goes up past a certain point. That provides
a great deal of comfort.


"BigHaig" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Yes, you need to find the perfect balance should the system fail. I no
> longer have a external overflow, but regularly test my levels in the sump
> and tank to make sure there is not overflow should my pumps fail or power
> go out. It will be tougher with an external because if the siphon breaks
> the pump will still push water until the sump is empty. So you need space
> = the amount of water in sump to avoid an flood.
>
>
>
>
> "Mark Henry" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Okay, now that makes some sence. So, I need to make sure that my sump is
>> big enough to handle all the water the siphon might send it if the return
>> pump dies, and I have to have the level in the tank low enough to handle
>> all the water in the sump if the siphon quits.
>>
>> Does that sound about right?
>>
>> mark h
>
>

[Mark Henry]

Mark Henry wrote:
>
> MegaFlow Sump, model 2
>

I received the sump from Foster's yesterday and it was totally trashed.
The box was crushed and the thing is in twenty or thirty pieces. What
was amazing was that a quick call to Foster's got me a replacement
shipped 2nd day (I paid ground originally) and a comp pick-up scheduled
with FedEx for today. No questions, no hastle - the person who answered
the phone at the 800# handled the whole thing without having to put me
on hold or get a supervisor. Very refreshing customer service!

mark h