Help me build my 55 gallon reef

DISPLAY:


(Not to scale)

* Unfortunately, I can't drill this 55 gallon tank, so I am having to go with an internal overflow.

* One power-head is on the left side of the tank and one is on the right side of the tank. The last one is on the back wall facing forward, as is the return.

* Minus the return, I will have 2,315 GPH of flow (42x tank volume).

* I am going with a two-pyramid rock formation (see a single pyramid in my 20 gallon below) because of my lighting design.



LIGHTING:


(Somewhat to scale)

* This is a diagram of my lighting under my canopy (see below).







* I have 1 Bridgelux LED unit over my 20 gallon and I plan to use that one, in addition to a second one, over the 55 gallon tank. As you can tell in the photo, the center of the tank will be relatively low in light intesnity, so that explains why I chose the rock design that I did.

* While I am pleased with the LED unit that I own, I would like better growth. As such, I will be adding at least 2 t-5 bulbs to this setup to aid in intensity.

SUMP:


(Not to scale)

* This is what I am most unsure about and I don't think I will have many questions until I start working on it.

* It's a 20 gallon tall tank, which will barely fit under my stand (under construction).

* I have a a 150 Phosban reactor that I plan to run GFO and Carbon in.

* I have a Hydor skimmer, but I think I may upgrade and go with a Nac-3.5 Bubble magus.


Questions:

1) Would you go with 2 T-5 bulbs or 4? if 2 or 4, what bulbs (Coral Plus, Blue Plus etc.) would you run?

2) What size return pump should I use? Would a Mag 9.5 work?

3) What size overflow would you use? Would one rated 1000 gph be overkill (Main concern is size).

4) How deep should my sand bed be in the fuge?

5) What light spectrum should I run in the fuge? 6500 K?

6) Would you go with 90 degree optics? 60 degree optics or the default 120 degree spread?

7) Do you think I will need fans for the canopy?
Please give me your suggestions. This tank is a few months off.

 

ok here we go:
1. 2 t-5's would work fine. That tank isn't that deep and your led's are going to do most of the work
2. a 9.5 is going to be overkill. You could certainly dial it back with a ball valve. My rule has always been you don't want more going through the sump than the skimmer can skim. A mag 5 is plenty for a 55
3. I haven't used an external overflow in a long time. I'll leave that to someone else
4. I don't have sand in my fuge. I would say somewhere between 0 and 12 inches =P
5. 6500k is ideal
6. 90 degree? Just guessing on this one
7. If it were just the led's, I would say no fans. With those t-5's though, you may get a little heat.

 

+1

but i'd consider a DSB of 4"s

 

A 1000 GPM overflow is fine. That is exactly what I have on my 55.

 

That's what I was thinking too. Thanks.

 

In the fuge or in the display?

 

Thanks. Unfortunately, my plans may have changed. The 1000 gph overflow I was thinking of going with is no longer for sale.

 

Eshopps makes a nice overflow box. The 1000 GPH model has dual outlets on it.

 

That's probably the brand I'll go with.

 

My ridiculous shopping list. Obviously some things are more important than others. As such, I'll buy these items over time. These prices are through BRS.