75 Gallon planning

Howdy all. I'm in the process of planning to build a new 75 gallon setup, and transfer the inhabitants of my 30 into the 75 after I set it up in the next couple months. I don't like the height of a 90 - I just prefer the width, height, and length of the 75's.

This is what I'm thinking - dual internal overflow boxes (1 in each corner, custom made / black acrylic, small as possible, drilled with 1" bulkhead near bottom, with a 90 elbow for the standpipe). Returns will be drilled at the top on each side, with check valves - or perhaps, sea swirls.

Transferring 2x Koralia 1's from the 30, and also adding 2x Koralia 3's. 2x MaxiJet 1800's for return pumps.

After researching and debating, I believe I will also be adding a UV sterilizer.

What are folks thoughts on a 8X54 Nova Extreme T5 HO light fixture? I have the opportunity to pick one up that's been used for less than 1 month for $250 from my LFS.

Background of the tank will be painted black.

 

That's a pretty good deal. Especially if it comes with bulbs that are also one month old. When you change out the bulbs, you may want to go for UVL bulbs for your replacements. Good choice for background paint. I did the same thing. The only thing I had against the 75 was viewing capability. I am 6'2"....so with a canopy on the 75g, I had to hunch down a bit to get a full view of my tank. With the 90g, it's not like that. The extra height is just enough to compensate. And it's not that hard to take care of either. I love the 90g.

 

on the returns I assume you meant mag drive 1800's?

that's a lot of flow for a 75 gallon you can easily get away with 1 1800 and plumb it into a SCWD then up to the tank

 

Nah, I meant MaxiJet 1800's. They would do 255gph at 4 feet, and I would prefer to have flow coming from each end instead of one powerful pump that would push from one end.

I have an overflow on my 30 currently (1" overflow) - and 1 MaxiJet 1800 - I figured, it would be the same on the overflow, and instead of one powerful return, have 2 lesser powered returns (@255 gph, 4') from each end.

 

John - yep, the bulbs are 1 month old as well. I'm just wondering if it's too much lighting for the depth of the tank, I don't want to burn my critters.

 

maxijet's of any size wont cut it on returns, you want 1200-1800gph pushed through your sump minimal, if you want to do 2 return pumps then I'd go with a pair of mag 7's or something simular

 

Excellent, thanks for the advice

 

so this is the way I'd do it, 1 return pump going into a scwd, those things are great for handling 2 return lines, you just hook a return pump to it and it does the rest, basically its a really low cost wavemaker
yeah I know my paint skills are sickeningly great aren't they lol

 

Thanks for the drawing Iraf

So the SCWD takes two returns? I want the returns to create some nice flow in the tank, but vary the output. The Sea Spray rotates the return - does the SCWD do the same? Do you have a link for it?

 

I've had a sea swirl before also and I know people with SCWD's they take 1 input so 1 return pump but give you 2 outputs so it splits the current and varies it continuously to both sides so their never equal

SCWD Wavemaker - Switching Current Water Director (Squid) - 3/4 inch