20H equipment question

[jgraz]

Well my wife put the kbosh on my upcoming 75 build so my nano is coming early. This is gonna be a SPS lovers nano.
My plan is as follows:
DT-20gal high
Sump-10g or a 20H if I can fit
Glass holes super nano overflow
Glass holes 1/2" return
SICCE SYNCRA 1.0 return pump
Skimmer- either the Bubble Magus 3+ or 3.5 not sure yet if the cone design is worth the extra $40
I have 2 Koralia 425's for extra flow
Lighting- I have one of the 120w LED units that I may a 12"stunner strip with magenta/blue for added effect.

Question is, did I miss anything? Should I take something out? Feel free to offer any input, its all welcomed. I imagine i'll likely have to add a calcium reactor later because like I said I want this to be SPS central.
Thanks for looking
graz

 

[jgraz]

Come guys no one has an opinion on the skimmer

 

[rkaragozler]

I don't think you would need a calcium reactor for you new set up, dosing should be fine, but i'm no expert.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Does your light have lens, why do you need so many watts of LED on such a small tank? In general, 3W of LED with 60 degree per gallon is more than enough for SPS for most std tank dimensions.

 

[jgraz]

It just happens that I have that light already that's why I'm gonna use it. It is just one of the run of the mill Chinese fixtures that are around just rebranded by Apollo LED. To be honest I'm not sure if it has lenses or not. Is there a easy way to tell. The LEDs are only running at 2watts each.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

It just happens that I have that light already that's why I'm gonna use it. It is just one of the run of the mill Chinese fixtures that are around just rebranded by Apollo LED. To be honest I'm not sure if it has lenses or not. Is there a easy way to tell. The LEDs are only running at 2watts each.

Stand the light vertical so that the light go sideway on the floor shinning to the wall.

Note the light cone, and approximate from there. Also if your light comes with 60 degree lens you can also estimate from how it's regular hanging position. 24 inch high will yield a cone of somewhat 24 inches wide

 

[jgraz]

Looks like that's what I'm dealing with. Which is consistent with what the dealer said. Good for roughly 2'. Originally I was going to use this on a 75 gal with a second of course. It has been above a 20 gal high frag tank for about 3 weeks and doing well. Coral color is good or in some cases getting better.

By the way even though this fixture states 3 watt LEDs or 120watt fixture, it in reality contains 55 bridgelux LEDs running at 2 watts each for a total of 110 watts. That is split between 40 blue and 15 white, which are either 12k or 14k not sure there.

So Why is this too much? I realize the spread in the from and back may be a bit over kill by the side to side should be right on. No? Please explain?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

In general when you use 3W per gallon with lens, you can generate upto 200-300par at the bottom of the tank. But if you already have the light then might as well use it rather sell it even though it's wasting 60W of energy per hour.

 

[jgraz]

I understand that this is more then I need. but we all know the rule of 3w per gal is really just a guideline, and remember I am shooting for all SPS here. Hence I will need that par on the bottom of the tank. The only other ways to get the light I need is with MH, and then im wasting money in energy, or a 6 Bulb T5, its not easy to come by a quality unit that will work. ATI makes one but it will be wider then the tank by about 3.5 in, again wasted money.

 

[jgraz]

Ok opinions needed. I got my skimmer in the other day, a BM nac3.5, and my overflow, return, and return pump are on the way. Yesterday I was at a LFS and they were giving away 10G tank to the first 50 customers so I go t that too. Now I getting ready to build the sump and I have noticed an issue that I need help with. If my calculation are correct between the skimmer, return pump and baffles im gonna use about 13" of the 20" available in the 10G. Not sure If that remaining room filled about 9-10" high will be enough for an effective fuge. Im considering just cutting the fuge altogether and just having 2 sections in the sump. What does everyone think.

The 10 gal in that cabinet leaves NO room for an ATO tank. I dont mind filling daily but in a small space that might be risky. So I was considering in place of a fuge I could make the last compartment for an ATO storage.


What do you guys think about all this. Any and all opinions welcomed

 

[rkaragozler]

what size return pump are you using, also the dimensions would help.
the BM nac 3.5 only has a foot print of 10.5x5.5, and is very stable at 9 3/8" water level.

 

[jgraz]

what size return pump are you using, also the dimensions would help.
the BM nac 3.5 only has a foot print of 10.5x5.5, and is very stable at 9 3/8" water level.

The skimmers footprint is actually 4.5x6.6x17.1 thats off the website. i have not taken it our to confirn this though.
The return pump will be a Sicce 1.5 the dimensions are 4"x2.3"x3"

Thanks for the response, I look forward to hearing back from you.
John

 

[rkaragozler]

see if you can give me exact dimensions for the skimmer, I think you can have a fuge.

 

[jgraz]

Ok I measured the skimmer and the above dimensions are correct. I'll wait to hear back from you. Thanks for everything.

 

[rkaragozler]

here you go.

 

[jgraz]

That's awesome man. Thanks alot. One question, you mentioned in a previous post that the slimmer would work well at 9 3/8". And bubble magus suggested 8"-10" should I adjust the baffles accordingly?

 

[rkaragozler]

I made the first baffle 8". yes just change the height of the 1st, and 2nd the same, and make the 3rd 1" less, and the 4th 2" less

 

[jgraz]

Ok thanks so basically. 1st 9.5", 2nd 9.5", 3rd 8.5", and 4th 7.5". Right?

Also I always read that spacing is normally 1" between baffles. Is it a 1/5" to help increase space in the sump or to help increase flow. I'm definatly following you suggestions just trying to understand the whole thing.

 

[rkaragozler]

yes

 

[jgraz]

I can't thank you enough