mass confusion

[boostenmkiv]

ok, just as I thought I was getting everything figured out with my new setup I was thrown yet another heavy curveball when I visited my somewhat LFS. The guy told me I made many mistakes already (mag drive 9.5 WAYY too large for my 46gal tank and that my 15gal sump/fuge would run dry, CPR cs90 overflow box is junk and will hate it because it leaks and will overflow display tank, the coralife aqualight pro at 6watts/gal was WAY too much and that I should have 4w/gal max with halide and 2w/gal max with PC's as 6w/gal will kill my soft corals) I feel like the things I have read online don't really agree with what he is telling me, but I don't know what to do now. Please help!

Thanks,
Mike

[fletch]

Now this is just my opinion but I think you will be fine with the mag 9.5 and your sump/fuge running dry would depend on the flow rate or your overflow. I can't comment on the CPR overflow as I have never used one. As for the lighting I have 2-400w MH with 2-110w VHO actinic's on my 75 gallon so that is 13.6w per gallon and I have LPS, SPS and soft coral in my tank and all are doing great so as I said this is only my opinion but I don't think I would take what your LFS has to say as 100% correct.............. John

[Birdlady]

Well, I will go so far as to say your LFS guy is an idoit!!!!!

CPR's are one of the better overflows (IMO) I have the CPR CS 100

I also run a Mag 9.5 and a Mag 5 as my return pumps (I have a 58 gallon)

The one comment I will make, is if you have not opened your overflow box yet, to exchange it for the 100 because it will not be fast enough to keep up with the return pump you have. You will have to throttle the pump back with a ball valve....not that great for the pump and could generate excess heat in your system. If not, it will work. ..I do have one of mine throttled back a bit.

I have not had my overflow leak at all, and my water level stays perfect in my display tank. You do need the Aqualifter pump to attach to the small hole in the top of the overflow. It draws out any air that gets into it and keeps it running efficiently.

Lights sound perfect to me! I have 175 W MH and 96W X 2 VHO on mine.

You are doing just fine with your research, sounds like! No worries!!!

[fletch]

Originally Posted by Birdlady

Well, I will go so far as to say your LFS guy is an idoit!!!!!

LOL I was trying to be a little diplomatic about my reply but I would say idiot about covers my thoughts on the LFS also ................... John

[boostenmkiv]

Thanks to both of you, I am feeling much better now about my tank and can't wait to get home to start my attempt at buliding my sump/fuge (thanks again birdlady). Should I use the magdrive 9.5 as an external pump if possible to help avoid heating up the water more than necessary? Also would it be louder or quieter as external?

Thanks again!
Mike

[Bruce]

i agree lol 6w/gal is not 2 much the lfs person is stupid....man i wish somone would eat him lol...then there would be less stupid w00t dont know about ur other things though lol

[Matt Rogers]

Originally Posted by boostenmkiv

Should I use the magdrive 9.5 as an external pump if possible to help avoid heating up the water more than necessary? Also would it be louder or quieter as external?
Thanks again!
Mike

You may keep the heat down a little that way, but not as much as a pump with fans that is designed to be external. It probably will be noticeably louder. I'm tempted to say keep it internal.

[Birdlady]

Mine is submerged and I don't really have any heat issues...it is very quiet. I actually cut the plumbing a hair short so it is not actually resting on the bottom of the sump (I know you are not really supposed to do it that way, but I like it quiet!!!)

[fletch]

I also have mine in the sump. John