Need help! Im new to the hobby

Okay, so i just recently bought a 40 gallon breeder. It is not reef ready, so i am looking into an CPR overflow box rated for 600 Gph. I have heard that the tank should be cycled 10-15 times per hour. So 15x40=600. And i have also read that the overflow box gph should be more than the return pump gph should be less? Is this true? If so what kind of pump do you recommend for me? And on the return pump I herd to put a ball valve on to adjust flow? Wouldnt that lower the return rate even more? Please help!!!!

 

Most of us acheive the ammount of flow we need by the use of powerheads. It also helps get a more random flow when it is not all coming from one place. I would do a 500 GPH pump and supplement flow with a couple of PH's. Eheim makes good pumps (can be expensive but bulletproof).Also don't get caught up in numbers they are usually pretty meaningless. The ammount of flow you will need depends alot on what kind of animals you will be housing along with LR placement and quantity.Everyones tank is different.Some people try to match the GPH of the return to that of the skimmer but IMO in a closed system this is pointless.You also do not want to restrict the flow on your return. This could cause water heating issues or damage your pump.(depending on which one you use)

 

Thankyou so much for the quick reply!

 

I was taking your advice and looked into the eheim pumps. I have found this one and was wondering if it would do the job? It need atleast a 4" foot head. Here is the link . Eheim Compact+ 2000 Pump if it is not, could you please post a link to a recommended one? Thanks again! . And also so a 500gph return with the 600gph overflow?

 

The lifeguard quiet one series of pumps are good as well, not as compact or as quiet as the ehiem but very reliable and not quite as costly. What do you plan on having in the tank? The answer to this question will really shape what you are going to need/want for a successful aquarium.

Here's what I recommend.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Lifegard_Aquatics_Quiet_One_Aquarium_Pump_3000_500_to_1000_Gallons_Per_Hour_Submersible_Water_Pumps-Lifegard_Aquatics-RB3111-FIWPSBFT-RB3115-vi.html

 

The Ehiems are really great pumps, they will last a heck of a lot longer than Quiet Ones and should be more efficient. They are more expensive, but you really do get what you pay for with a lot of this stuff. As to turnover, through your sump/overfow, you only need about 3 times your tank volume. The rest of the turnover, as mentioned, can be achieved with powerheads, which are much, much more efficient and provide better flow patterns.

 

I am planning on having about 25lbs of coraline base rock and 15 lbs of cherry deco rock from liverocknreef.com. And 15 lbs of dry shelf rock from bulkreefsupply.com. Also i am planning on having a mixed reef aquarium with soft corals and long stony corals. With a bioload of 2 maited percula clowns. 1 cardinalfish. 1 watchmen goby and 1 fame angel. I am looking into a large colony of zoas. And a 20 gal refugium. Im def not getting any sps

 

Thankyou everyone for your response. So what overflow and return pump combo should i use? Still not sure. Also what 2 powerheads should i use without having too much flow? Thankyou!

 

I would look at the eshopps overflows. You won't have to keep an aqualifter pump on them to keep the overflow primed. I have their 300gph and really like it. I use a rio 1700 pump because it fit my budget. Whatever pump you use, you have to remember that the gph decreases as the head height increases. For example my rio is advertised at 642gph but at 4' head it is around 350. I went with that pump and then just used a ball valve to adjust it to the overflow.

 

Yes very important most manufacturers will list gph according to head height. I would find your overflow first then your pump. Get the system up and running and then add your PH's I would think 2 750 Koralia Evo's would be just fine for that tank.I would start with just one then you can add another once you see where you stand on flow.
I would run the Eheim 1260 with 4 foot head height this will give you approx. 500 gph. I linked a good site with all the info you will need.. I am not familiar with overflows as its been a long time since I have used 1.Just be sure to keep the gph on your pump lower then the gph rating of your overflow.Good luck!!
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578 4587 4604&pcatid=4604#answer 4