We bit the bullet and ordered a 50g bowfront

[speedracer68]

Well, here is my first post. The wife and I started out with a 12g Nanocube that went so well we ran out of room. We then bought the deluxe Nanocube and moved some items to it. So, for about 2 years we have had these running with only one serious crash that we never figured out and most items came back. Anyway, 2 weeks ago we ordered a 50 gallon glass bow front, stand and canopy from Advance Aqua Tanks. They are also making us a 24" long, 12" deep x 16" tall sump to go with it made from acrylic. We ordered it with an overflow box, 1 large drain hole and 2 smaller for the return. We also had the overflow box drilled for the return lines under the slots near the top of the overflow box. I thought about putting two of those Hydor Flo Rotating Water Deflectors to help with a little wave motion.

We need help and the choices are overwhelming. We basically need everything. A skimmer, lighting, pumps, heaters, RO/DI unit, power heads, some type of wave maker / controller. I want to make it as stable as possible and want reliable parts. While I don't have a million dollars to spend on it I don't want to cheap out on something that would work much better for a few bucks more.

Where should we start?

We are thinking about a Rio 12HF pump in the sump for the return. Or, should we run two smaller pumps for redundancy?

I have heard there is a new generation of T5 lighting. Our tank is about 21" deep. I assume 4 or 5 T5 VHO's will be enough?

What about a controller like ReefKeeper 2 that controls the pumps, lighting and temp. Is that putting to much at risk should the unit fail? If it does goes belly up then I would think the tank would as well in short time.

Anyway, I'm sure we will be full of questions once we get the tank.

[Flobajob]

Hi,

I'm still fairly new to reef central, but in the time I've been using it, there are a few things I have learned that may help you:

I would also advise you not to cheap out on the skimmer or the lighting, as these are the most important parts (though flow is also important), and picking up a cheap unit like a prism skimmer will only cost you more in the long run when it needs replacing.

The one place where you can save a bit of money is on the powerheads by modding a couple of maxijets (see the DIY forum).

With regards to heaters, most are unreliable - the best thing to do is to get a separate thermostat which will shut them down if they malfunction and start to cook the tank.

I would advise against the rio pumps by the way, as many people have had major problems with them.

4 T5s sounds enough for most things, though the lighting depends on what you want to keep really.

Maybe others can help you out more - anyway, the best thing for you to do is read other threads on the main forums. The information available is fantastic, and much better than any help your LFS can give you.

[Andrew]

[welcome]

[speedracer68]

Oh, I forgot. It's going to be a reef tank.

Here are pics of our current nanocubes

http://www.pro-touring.com/larry/pulsing.jpg

http://www.pro-touring.com/larry/leather.jpg

[Andrew]

Nice nano :thumbsup:

[speedracer68]

Thanks! We figure if we can keep a pair of 12 gallon reefs alive we can do the 50 gallon. I'm looking forward to a more stable system.

[speedracer68]

The Rio 12hf I was looking at pumps 630gph at 4 feet. What other submersable pumps are available for a decent price? Rio's are all my local fish stores sell.

[coker98]

i have a prism on my tank now and i have not had any problems and it does a good job.

[Andrew]

Look at the Mag drive pumps. Rios ( TAAM ) don't have too good of feedback on their pumps.

[Flobajob]

You should also check out Eheim pumps - they are a bit more pricey but they are reliable and quiet.

[D-Rod]

purchase things online if you can it will save you lots of $$ and save the LFS for your livestock & any emergency you might have.
here are just a couple online stores, click on the sponser box at the top of the page.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com
http://www.marinedepot.com

[speedracer68]

Thanks for the help. I have been checking out the sponsors and found some decent prices already.

[fishaholic911]

I would do a Iwaki pump and a euro skimmer.

[speedracer68]

I found a Euro-Reef CS80 protein skimmer at Marine Depot (a sponsor) for $198

Since it will be used in a 50 gallon tank with a sump that I'm guessing is 15-20 gallons is it large enough?

Is there a chance of overskimming if I go to the next size up? Do I need the next size up?

The price jumps to $448 for the 100 gallon model. That's a HUGE and out of our budget.

http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD/150/ER1231.jpg

[jprince58]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7672970#post7672970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speedracer68
I found a Euro-Reef CS80 protein skimmer at Marine Depot (a sponsor) for $198

Since it will be used in a 50 gallon tank with a sump that I'm guessing is 15-20 gallons is it large enough?

Is there a chance of overskimming if I go to the next size up? Do I need the next size up?



I'm still a noob here, so take what I say with that in mind... I have the RS80 (same performance, but slight construction differences) in a 20 gallon sump for a 72 gallon tank. The Euro-Reef skimmers are said to be under-rated as far as their capacity is stated. They're easy to adjust to skim as much or little as you want. Mine is doing a magnificent job and I haven't had any of the troubles that I constantly read about in the forums regarding other brands. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the CS80...at the price Marine Depot is selling them right now (I paid close to $300 for mine at a LFS), they're a bargain you can't afford to pass up.

[fishaholic911]

If you can get a RC80 They work very well! These have all the lastest mods.

[Sk8r]

You might look at a Sea Swirl: I have a 52 bow, and it is great at getting the flow into nooks.
I use a 250 mh with 2 actinics, a 9.5 mag pump return, a 5 gallon topoff reservoir, a 10 g sump [getting a sump into the cabinet is a pain---consider getting a side tank stand that looks like a buffet and stuffing spare equipment in there.]
My skimmer is a lil' ol' Urchin, and it does pretty well.

[speedracer68]

Well, I bought a Euro-Reef CS80 Skimmer and it showed up today. I bought it from MarineDepot. The didn't box it well and the outter box arrived missing an item but the skimmer looks fine. I can't wait to hook this up. I do have a strange problem, The tank company drilled 1-1/2" dia holes for the two return lines. Well, I can't find a decent bulkhead fitting for a 3/4" line that fits a 1-1/2" hole. The also did an oddball hole for the drain. The were told to drill a hole for a 1" drain bulkhead so, they drilled a 2-3/8" dia hole. Go figure. I'm off to a rough start already.

Oh well, It will be worth it once we get it up and running.

[chip721]

That's a very nice looking nano tank. With the beautiful job you've done with 12g, can't wait to see your 50. Keep us posted with your progress and enjoy. BTW, I started a 54g 18 months ago. I quickly filled that up and now I'm starting on a 90g. Just thought I'd give you something to look foward to;)

[speedracer68]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7728013#post7728013 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chip721
That's a very nice looking nano tank. With the beautiful job you've done with 12g, can't wait to see your 50. Keep us posted with your progress and enjoy. BTW, I started a 54g 18 months ago. I quickly filled that up and now I'm starting on a 90g. Just thought I'd give you something to look foward to;)

Thanks for the words. Any chance you have any pictures of your tank? Mine only has water in it for now.

[newreefbishop]

Did you get the bulkheads that you needed?

[speedracer68]

Yes thank you. I picked up some from Reefgeek and LFS. Now,,, I have water in it and our Rio 12HF makes waaaayyyyy too much noise.