EW's 75g Build Planning Thread

looking at the schematic in visio now, love it! can't wait to do something similar eventually!

 

Funny! I been imagining the plumbing of my "dream" build and I kept coming back to the wise idea of not teeing off the main BeAn drain...
So I was thinking about the fuge being a seperate unit than the sump at that point to feed it properly. Considering space shouldn't be (too much) of an issue with the equipment in another room, this seems like the best way.

It's gonna be neat when the build comes to fruition from the planning!

 

Solid. I'm hoping this can become a bit of a resource for people to use when planning a system lay out. I hope it's worth your time...

That's how I arrived at the pipe size as well. I have 2 90 degree bends I have to make and was planning on using swept 90's like these Product Listing PVC-Elbows-Sweep90NSFSch40

Ok, I think I get what you guys are getting at. Please confirm: If the flow out of the drain is too fast the water is in and out of the skimmer section before it has much chance to get in there and bubble around, thereby sending a higher ratio of unskimmed v. skimmed water back up to the display. This makes total sense.

Yeah, that is a pain for sure. Thanks for the clarification. So that leads me to some fuge questions... My assumptions from reading are that you want the water direct from the DT (not skimmed, not carboned, etc...) to feed the macro algae in the fuge to gain maximum benefit from it. I've also read it's better to send water to the reactors after it's been skimmed.

Does it make all that much difference? Any recommendations here?

Here's my logic: Goal is to remove microbubbles so they don't get to the DT. So, it makes sense to put the bubble trap as close to the return as possible. I'm also making an assumption that the reason there isn't generally a bubble trap on the fuge side of a traditional fuge/return/skimmer set up is because of the low flow through the fuge and to increase pod transport. I'm looking at this as kind of the same setup, but just in different tanks.

Ok, I'm starting to confuse myself now. I'll draw it out in the next version of the schematic.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up needing Radions to go with them too. LOL. Just watch, I am extremely good at selling myself on cool stuff.


Thanks again guys, please keep the ideas coming. Will post an updated schematic soon.

--EW

 

Right? I'm having a hard time sleeping I'm so excited.

Will get the kinks ironed out of the plumbing and then we can start talking about gadgets! My cart at BRS is loaded and ready to go. ;D

To quote Bart Scott - CAN'T WAIT!

 

Those Sweep Street 90 Elbow as sweet, I've never seen them!
Easier than 2 x 45's!


My assumptions from reading are that you want the water direct from the DT (not skimmed, not carboned, etc...) to feed the macro algae in the fuge to gain maximum benefit from it.
Yes


Ok, I think I get what you guys are getting at. Please confirm: If the flow out of the drain is too fast the water is in and out of the skimmer section before it has much chance to get in there and bubble around, thereby sending a higher ratio of unskimmed v. skimmed water back up to the display. This makes total sense.

Yes. Display tank turnover should be high, water thru the fuge/sump does not need a high turnover.
Longer contact time = better filtration.
Places with huge aquariums sometimes have only 1-3 times turnover per hour.


Here's my logic: Goal is to remove microbubbles so they don't get to the DT. So, it makes sense to put the bubble trap as close to the return as possible. I'm also making an assumption that the reason there isn't generally a bubble trap on the fuge side of a traditional fuge/return/skimmer set up is because of the low flow through the fuge and to increase pod transport. I'm looking at this as kind of the same setup, but just in different tanks.

Yes.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up needing Radions to go with them too. LOL. Just watch, I am extremely good at selling myself on cool stuff.


YES!!

 

Okey doke.... I think we have it finalized (or at least close). I updated the schematic to reflect the refugium feed from the reactor loop and the bubbletrap idea I was trying to describe yesterday. Here she blows: View attachment Visio-Tank Schematic.pdf

Any other thoughts?

 

Now that plumbing is mostly out of the way, it's time to start thinking about equipment! So...

I'm planning to source as much as possible through BRS to take advantage of group buy prices so some of these decisions were made based on things they carry. If there are other options that provide similar performance at a significantly lower price, or much better performance at a similar price I'll certainly consider it (as always, your input is way appreciated).

Protein skimmer: Thinking about the Reef Octopus 4" recirculating skimmer. This way I can move it out of the sump and feed it with the same pump as the fuge and reactor loop. MFG rated for 120 gallon systems, BRS recommends up to 100 (which I figure will be pretty close to my total system volume).

Reactor/Fuge/Skimmer feed pump: that skimmer calls for a max of 250 GPH, thinking fuge might need between 80 -100 GPH with another 100-200 GPH for the reactors. So it looks like I need about 4-500 GPH output. With the various valves and bends, I figure guessing on the high side is the better way to go, so I'm thinking Pan World 40PX which is rated for 480 GPH.

BRS doser pump for ATO.

Return pump: given 9' of head pressure plus 2 swept 90's, 6' of horizontal traverse, a 1" - 2x .75" manifold and 2 x .75" outputs through loc line I'm figuring a 750 GPH pump should end up around 500 GPH in reality (figured all this out using a pump headloss calculator I found in Advanced Aquarist Magazine). Answer: Iwaki MD-40RT.

Lights: as discussed earlier, thinking Ecotech Radion x 2 for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I've read several reviews and these units are super highly thought of (special thanks to member MikeJRice for the review) and modular. Secondly, since they're modular we can add another 2 or so when the monster tank gets built. ;D Integration w/ the vortechs is cool too. And, they're actually pretty competitively priced compared with some of the other units with similar functionality. The other one I was looking at was the Maxspect P-series (~$500 more expensive).

In tank flow: Vortech MP-40W ES. Gonna buy one new and see if I can find another on E-Bay a la Mr. Exactly.

Controller: Looking at the Digital Aquatics RKE. Slightly less expensive than the Neptune Apex, and I'm not really savvy enough to take advantage of the open source code options on the Reef Angel. Can also control multiple systems which may come in handy down the road.

Reactors: Standard BRS reactors. They are reviewed well and are fairly economical. Anything else to consider here? Is there much difference in performance with other vendors like Phosban etc...? Thinking 2 to run GAC and GFO. I'm going to save the biopellets for a future upgrade.

Rock/Sand: Will likely go with Marco Rocks or the BRS equivalent. Haven't really decided that one yet. Same w/ the sand.

2 x 40 gallon storage tanks + spectrapure 4 stage 90gpd ro/di unit (will also need to feed an ice maker.

Will get a random heater and powerhead for the saltwater storage tank.

I think that's about it for the major equipment needs... BRS group buy here I come!

 

Everything looks pretty good. My only thought was that I had a 4" reef octopus for my 90, and wished I had gone a little bigger... Great skimmer though!

Mr. Exactly is 3reef's resident Vortech pimp... ;D

 

Looks like your heading in the right direction. The mp 40 is one of my favorite purchases

 

Hmmm? me? VorTech?? lol

The schematic looks good! Lets get your hands dirty!!