First reef tank build - marineland 150xh 48x24x30 - need help!

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by aperture.pcs, Mar 12, 2013.

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  1. aperture.pcs

    aperture.pcs Plankton

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2013
    Messages:
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    Well first of all I am already $450 in the hole with this giant paperweight of a tank (155 bowfront tank) with so many **** problems with it. Front brace was cracked, top/bottom left was chipped etc. So I decided to trashed the entire thing.
    I ended up buying a 150XH brand new, never filled, back is painted black. It also came with a custom built, extremely sturdy stand!
    http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/Magiikdelish/photo_zps4cdf5141.jpg
    My equipment setup:
    • ASM G4+ skimmer with a 900gph Serra model: KSP-9000 pump
    • Aquac EV180 skimmer with a mag 7 with an external crap reservoir
    • Return pump: Quiet One Aquarium Pump 6000 - 1506 gph
    • TEMP lighting - I plan on buying 2x Photon24 with 60 optics.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/11/de6y3ary.jpg - What brand is this light?
    • For sump I will be using the All Glass Aquarium Megaflow Model 4 Sump
    • 4 Stage RO/DI Unit (This is DI too correct?) http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/11/u8y9e5u4.jpg
    Questions:
    • Which Skimmer should I use? I believe the ASM G4+ is the much stronger one? Pic comparison:http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/11/8a3yda9e.jpg
    • Is my sump big enough for a 150 gallon?
    • Is my return pump strong enough?
    • Any other recommendations?
    • What else do I need?
     
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  3. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    So far, sounds good!

    Sorry about the bow front, I personally never liked them anyways, ;-)
     
  4. Nuebie

    Nuebie Peppermint Shrimp

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    420
    The megaflow 4 is good for 120-200 gallon tanks so you should be good there.
    You'll get different replys about the skimmer but I would run the aquac inside the sump (not sure what external crap reservoir your talking about) and at some point upgrade the mag 7 to a mag 9.5. If you can get the sump water level at the height of the drain it will make little to no noise. There should be a gate valve at that drain. Level the water so it's right where the black box turns into your clear skim mate tube with the gate valve. That's a good skimmer IMO. I have one
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Welcome to 3reef. :)
     
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  6. Nuebie

    Nuebie Peppermint Shrimp

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    Oops!

    Welcome to 3reef!
     
  7. aperture.pcs

    aperture.pcs Plankton

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    Feb 5, 2013
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    By crap I meant skimates lol

    The ASM g4 is crazy big. I think I might turn my 75 gallon into a custom sump. How can I divide into sections? Acrylic at Home Depot?
     
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  9. Camkha1234

    Camkha1234 Great Blue Whale

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    Orlando, FL
  10. Nuebie

    Nuebie Peppermint Shrimp

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    Go with glass. They will cut it for free, It's cheap and silicone sticks to glass way better than acrylic
     
  11. aperture.pcs

    aperture.pcs Plankton

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    Glass is cheaper than acrylic? Home Depot will cut for free?
     
  12. Nuebie

    Nuebie Peppermint Shrimp

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    I'm pretty sure it's as cheap as each other. In any event it's tuff to get acrylic to seal to glass. Lowes cut all my glass for free. I'm 99% sure Home Depot does as well. Get some fine sand paper and clean the edges before you put your sump together. The edges will be sharp.