New Tank, need advice

[klondike4001]

1. Should I waste my time drilling the 20H or should I just go with a HOB overflow?

2. In sump return w/ HOB skimmer or External return w/ in sump skimmer?

3. Solid PVC or flex?

4. Is 500GPH return over kill?

I also plan to add a maxi-jet 1200 with the ocean flo mod into the main tank.

[caferacermike]

Nice drawings. I myself have my skimmer before my fuge. I figure I want to take out the largest gunk first and then let my fuge go after what's left. 500gph? Well after you plumb it all in it may only be 300 so it's not as big as it sounds. And at that 300gph is a modest turnover rate per hour. I run 30 times in all my tanks. That's only 15 but with the maxijet it could be great. I prefer PVC pipe and have sumps plumbed both with PVC and tubing. PVC just looks cleaner (but again I'm a pipefitter and might be biased). Another great idea would be to add a SCWD (squid switching currents water device) to your return and have 2 return inlets. This will allow a back and forth motion in the tank without any extra equipment.

[jc]

I would say go with a drilled tank. I had a HOB and it made me nervous. Also you can use a durso (sp?) to keep the flushing noise down. My sump is also a 20g High tank. I have a hob cpr skimmer that I put in the tank because it was too tall. I also used a in sump mag7 with flexable pvc. With my 5 gallon top off resevoir I hardly have any room left in the cabinet. If I went with an external pump I would not have room, but I might be able to get at least 2 drops in degree temp in the tank. Also my pump sits on some filter floss to prevent vibration noise. If the pump was on the outside it would be easy to put it on a rubber mat. I hardly have any room for the cheato, but it doesn't seem to care and it grows like mad.
http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/6808/picture008kt3.jpg

[seamonkey2]

drill it and have no worries

Jose

[hobogato]

drill it and have no worries

X2

[klondike4001]

Which sump design should I go for? I plan to put a 250W MH over it, any objections?

[akm]

250 watts is way overkill on a 10 gallon, especially if you're just growing cheato. Try something like a compact fluorescent or a shop light.

[klondike4001]

I like the smell of boiling chaeto, don't you? The 20H will have the 250W light over it.

[caferacermike]

That light would be awesome but you might save some coin with a 150w de and good reflector. Your clam that you will need to get will love it. I should have also added a drilled tank is much nicer. You can get Ace to build you a proper overflow as well. JC with the mag 7, you could run a comparable Eheim and use less than half the wattage of a Mag, that will lower your tank a degree or 2.

[klondike4001]

There is a method to my madness, I promise. The 250W will be one of 2 I will put on my 70 gal this summer when I finally get it set up.

And as for your clam, I've got one, it's one of my reasons for upgrading to MH lighting.

Looked into the Eheim, I'll need the 1260 model for what I want to do, anyone got a used one? I'd rather not spend $120 when I'm getting a new pump for my 70 gal.

So, Ace, you up for making me an over flow? I'll have the tank when I'm up there this weekend.

[jc]

Really! nice! I will look into the Eheim, thanks. Also I use the CF spotlight recommended on http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

[caferacermike]

My friend Matt, also a sponsor, gets Eheim for me dirt cheap. They are a custom order and can take a week or 2. www.thehobbypalace.com You'll need to email him and ask him how much and when..

[klondike4001]

I'm now contemplating getting a 29 gal instead...

[caferacermike]

Hurry up and get one before you end up like me, with a 400g that you are overwhelmed with. Both are great choices. The 30g will be that much more stable and that much more grow out room. I like the dual returns. Hey I know, what about that 30g acrylic Ace is selling? You could drill as many holes as you like in it. Were you thinking about a SCWD?

[klondike4001]

I won't go that big, the parent's are getting me a 70 gal for christmas and that will most likely be the biggest tank I own until I'm finished with college (or get a house ;)). I'm not a fan of acrylic tanks, they get way to scratched up for me. I'm pretty much settled on the idea of the 29. I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with the 10 gallon sump though, I thought of getting a bigger one, but the cost difference bwtween a 10 gal and 15 gal is nearly $20, and I've already got the 10.

[Flobex]

i have a 20 High drilled.
i also have a 40 G withan overflow, and anytime its stormy out, i get realllllly nervous... drill it.

also, if you go bigger, go 30 gallon, orver 29. the 30 is a lot longer, and shorter, thus better light penetration, and IMO looks better.

[klondike4001]

I want the hight for my zoas, I want them really low so they don't brown out like I see in most tanks.

[caferacermike]

My zoas are 14" from 250w de 14K pendants and scream in color. High tanks trap wastes and have poor gas exchange. Zoas that stretch for lighting tend to look dull in color as they enlarge to the size of a nickel to have as much surface area as possible. Zoas with enough light and flow stay small and thus the color cells are closer together causing the colors to jump right off of them.

[JeremyGlen]

Having more light penetration is the best for the zoas. I can't say much about the 30g since I had my tank custom built 24x14x17, close to the 20H but wider I think. I have a 250w MH and it works great.

My tank is acrylic and I haven't had a problem with scratching so far. Just use the scrapers for the acrylic and watch out for sand on it and you should be good.

[hobogato]

Hurry up and get one before you end up like me, with a 400g that you are overwhelmed with. Both are great choices. The 30g will be that much more stable and that much more grow out room. I like the dual returns. Hey I know, what about that 30g acrylic Ace is selling? You could drill as many holes as you like in it. Were you thinking about a SCWD?

im not selling a 30 gallon acrylic tank :unsure but i do have a 29 gallon glass tank for sale ;)