MUMMRA'S DUAL 40 GAL. SET UP

[mummra]

so i am getting real close to setting up my dual 40 gallons. here are some general specs.

it's 2 40 gal glass tanks sitting on an open frame 125 gal. wood stand . i have 1 over flow for each tank that both run into a communal sump. the plan is to have them mainly be prop tanks but with a display flare to it. both being bare bottom tanks they will have a small amount of live rock suspended on black egg crate. 1 tank will have mainly LPS and zoas the other will be mainly SPS. here are some specs.

tank-dual 40 glass tanks.
stand-125 gal. open frame wood stand.
lighting-2x400w SE Radium halides in a sun supply reflector.
(1 light per tank)
Ballast-2x400w Ice cap electronic.
sump-Oceanic model 3.
over flows-2 huge H.O.T. over flows (1 per tank).
return pump-2xT4 velocity returns (1 per tank).
skimmer-ASM G4x.
chiller-P.C.I. 1/4 hp chiller.
heater- Ebo Jager 300w.
controller- medusa 2.
ozonizer-Red sea deluxe Ozone/ORP.
misc.-dual Phosban reactors (1 for phosban, 1 for carbon)
ATF top off system
electronic testers for
calcium
Ph
Salinity
calcuim reactor-reef tek w/ Ph controller

i think thats it. i will be adding a fuge later on but not right now...pics to follow

[mutts]

nice plan, keep us updated... i want to see how this works out for you and looks

[jojo22]

Where are the pics...we all love pics but I'm inpatient!

[lReef lKeeper]

sounds like a plan. i for one would love to see the process of building in a new "project log".

[davejnz]

Sounds like a nice setup.If you dont mind,I'd like to critque your sump flow rate.I also have a 40breeder/BB tank.I use a MAG12 as a return in a very big 30gal(36"L)sump.Te MAG12 does about 950gph with my plumbing.
I noticed you plan on useing 2xT4 Velocity return pumps.Each one of those pumps are capable of close to 1200gph useing 1" pipe,elbows,45's,unions,ball valves have also been calculated.2400gph is WAY TOO MUCH flow through a sump IMO/IME.This is gonna hurt your skimmers performance,its gonna be loud,as well as create a microbubble problem that will take at least 8 baffles in a very long sump to overcome.My suggestion would be this,use the 1-T4 as a return pump from sump,T'ing it off into the 2 tanks.Then use the other T4 as a closed loop pump.Water flow needs to be in the tank,not through the sump IME.600gph per 40gal tank is more than enough of a turnover rate for a sump loop IMO/IME.
BTW,in hindsight,I would have gone with a smaller sump pump for my 40breeder,something closer to 600ish after head loss/plumbing restriction..

[mummra]

sorry guys...pics are coming i just meed to clean up the office. dave thanx for the input and let me address them one by one.

ime velocity pumps never come close to that 1200 gph and mine are located almost 10' away from the tanks. now if my sump was directly below my tanks you would be right....way to much. i just should have put up pics as this would have been clear, my bad. there is some noise coming from the hang on back overflows but i like the noise of rushing water. it actually comforts me.lol

the skimmer is way over kill anyways (i thought some one would have said something about that to be honest), i mean an ASM G4x on about 100 gal. of water?

i run my tanks with filter sox changed out every 2 days with clean ones so micro bubbles are a distant memory.

the sump handles the flow fine...the model 3 sump is a little over 50 gal at 36.5x18.5x19.5.

thanx for the input though a fresh perspective always helps...now i am working out the plumbing into the sump. i am using four flex hoses and am attempting to secure them so they are stable and do not flop out of the sump. i will put up pix today. promise.

[mummra]

here are some pics. sorry i took so long putting up pics i had to buy a window AC and a shop vac (don't ask.lol). here are 3 shots pre water. the last pic is of my 37 gal. cube before i took it down. i still have all those corals in my 60 gal. prop tank right now. some of those corals i have had for about 3.5 years.

[mutts]

nice, love your old tank.

[davejnz]

Your old tank looks great man,I love LPS corals.I'm sure your new setup will look just as good.

[Kenny_Graham]

I can only dream of LPS corals like yours.

[mummra]

here are some new pics. the new breaker and electrical go in early sat. so after that it will be up and running very soon. the last 2 shots are w/out white balance and w/white balance

[Kenny_Graham]

I don't have the energy to do all this work again. Keep us posted.

[mummra]

i will. today after work i have to replumb one overflow...then saltwater and rock go in. more pics tonight.

[mummra]

ok so no new pics as there really is not much new to show. salt went in and i got to play with my new salinity monitor by american marine. very nice.

today i will be making the egg crate stands for the live rock and by tonight i should have live rock in. before anybody warns me about going to fast let me assure you that i am going painfully slow and have set up reefs in the past for clients that were stocked and running smooth with in a months time! i know it sounds un-possible (that is not a word!lol) but i have done at least 6 reefs and F.O. this way for clients with no problems. my pride and joy is a 210 shelf reef i did for a client and let me say wow. matter of fact i have pics of that from beginning to finish maybe i should post a thread on it. it is now only 9 months old and is truly one of the most stable and beautifull reefs i have ever seen.

i would also like to state that never should some one with beginning level skills go so fast as that. only bad things happen fast in this hobby, goods things always take time.

[dakar]

By all means please start a thread with the tank pics! We always enjoy new pics... everyone has a different view of tanks, and gleans ideas from each one they see.

[mummra]

the rock went into the LPS/zoanthid tank. here are some pics. i will be finishing up the ASM mod today.

http://www.captivereefing.com/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=396

http://www.captivereefing.com/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=397

http://www.captivereefing.com/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=398

http://www.captivereefing.com/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=399


the first pic is of my auto top off and my medusa chiller.

[lReef lKeeper]

looks like you are well on your way to a great setup

[mummra]

cool thanx man.

i might get a chance to install these today.
http://www.ecotechmarine.com/images/VorTechTrio700px.gif

one per tank. this will eliminate all the power heads i was going to add along with a closed loop down the road. at max they do 3000 GPH! they will also be coming out with a battery back up along with... a wireless controller. sweet.

[Kenny_Graham]

Looks neat.

[mummra]

god. i bought them and then forgot to bring them home. stupid.

test results.

amm.-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
ph-8.5 (this concerns me a little)
specific gravity-1.0235
cal.-450
alk.-12.5

every thing is looking really sweet. i have to hook up the vortech power heads and get the plumbing done on the dual phosban reactors. i am installing a shelf to hold the electronics (ph meter, ozonizer,magnesium doser). i also need to plumb the calcium reactor.

here are some pics of the very first skimmate coming up into the cup. silly i know but i am excited.

http://www.captivereefing.com/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=403

http://www.captivereefing.com/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=406

http://www.captivereefing.com/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=404

http://www.captivereefing.com/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=405

[Whoyah]

Man you have all the cool toys. Thanks for sharing all of your progress. I really dig your earlier tank. I am excited to see how the new ones develop.

[mummra]

me to...waiting is the worst part. even though every thing checks out fine you gotta wait.

[Kenny_Graham]

That's my problem too. Slow is the only wat to go.