New setup

[lanamarks]

I have been wanting to get into saltwater and just recently purchased a used 115 gal aquarium. I have been doing a lot of research on setting up a reef and when I got the tank a few extras were included. I'm going to list what I have:
115 gal cubic tank
1 175 W MH
2 75 W VHO (IceCap ballast)
heater, grounding probe, 1 powerhead
Overflow to sump
Auto top-off with 5 gal resevoir and dosing pump
Ph meter? (I'm not sure how to set it up)
I plan on buying a Mag 9.5 for return, a Turboflotor 1000, 2-3 more powerheads, and another heater
I plan on setting up a Berlin system. I am saving up money and won't be actually adding the live rock until I have saved up for all the accesories, etc. Are there any recommendations for my new setup? I also am wondering about a certain piece of equipment I recieved. It is an Iwaki pump (400 gph) with the outlet connected to a row of PVC pipe with 4 large valves with tubing coming off of it. What do you think this would be best used for? I am not sure how to hook up or what purpose it serves. I have also attached 2 pictures to help out. Thanks, I have enjoyed this site for quite a while!

[Chuck S]

Can you post pictures of the Iwaki setup? It may be a closed loop setup

Now for your pump I would upgrade from the 9.5 Mag. In that depth tank you may omit the powerheads altogether and buy something like a Mag 1800-2400 and plumb it from the sump to the tank and have PVC outlets in every corner at 45% angles in that square tank. That should create the desired flow and you can plumb a check valve and ball valve in their to restrict flow. You might need to add another overflow or upgrade to a bigger one but better than unsightly powerheads.

[lanamarks]

Thanks for the idea. I got a whole tub of misc PVC parts and valves so that shouldn't be that hard to do. I tried to draw a quick picture of the Iwaki setup in paint but I guess I can't send a paint file here. Can you describe a closed loop and explain what is it in detail so that maybe I can try to figre it out? Thanks!

[Chuck S]

You can convert your paint file to gif png jpg etc and post here

[lanamarks]

Lets see if I figured it out.

[lanamarks]

Okay - lets try this again.

[Chuck S]

How bout a pic can you snap one? You have a digital or computer camera.

[lanamarks]

Unfortunately no digital camera /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I don't know how to better describe it to be honest. Once again - any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

[Chuck S]

Well it could be a closed look how bout you describe the setup a bit more describe the piping what those circles are in the pic etc.

I know the pumps is two the left.

[lanamarks]

Sorry about that - I sometimes forget that just because I understand my sketches doesn't mean they are self-explanetory. The big rectagle is the pump. It is connected to 3 PVC tees and 1 elbow. It the exit of each piece is a valve that adjusts the amount of flow that goes through. The circles were my representation of the valve handles. Sorry about that! Rough engineering student sketch! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Thanks!

[Chuck S]

Okay well it can be any number on things then with that description. I would think that it is valved off to any number of equipment you can hook up like skimmer tank return etc. What size and rated pump is that? Must be pretty bug size if he was sectioning off the return into three returns or pieces of equipment.

[lanamarks]

You would think that but its not. The pump is an Iwaki MD-20RLT which is only rated at 400gph at 5' head (customaquatic catalog). Thats why I am confused. Also I was thinking about the protein skimmer I wanted to buy and I was really looking at upgrading to a Euroreef CS6-1 because I do not have a lot of height in the stand and I've heard nothing but good about Euroreef. The footprint listed is 10.5x11.5 and the space in my sump (for the skimmer) is only 11.5x11.5 with the bulkhead sticking into that space a little. The diameter is 6" so do you think there is a way to get this to fit? I am very limited to skimmer choices because I only have 24 inches of height in the stand. I really would like the Euroreef but I don't want to order a 300.00 skimmer just to not have it fit! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Chuck S]

Well if the tank is not drilled for those three connections to attach then chances are it was not a closed loop /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I have no idea at this point with an Iwaki 20 what that would be since your right its basically a big powerhead LOL

I would think that when you take the outlet into consideration the footprint is bigger than meantioned. The footprint is only the skimmer portion not connections etc. Go with a smaller footprint or get a bigger sump /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Now remember also the skimmer does not necesarily need to be in the sump always.

[lanamarks]

Okay - well I was also looking at a AquaC Urchin Pro (much smaller footprint) so I guess I'll head that direction. I've heard it runs better on a Mag 5 than the Rio 1400 or Mag 3.5 that it comes with. Any truth to this?

[Chuck S]

I would suspect that to be true. I own an AquaC EV150 and it runs better on a higher pump than it is rated for. I have had dealings with the manufacturer and he was finding the same to be true.

[lanamarks]

Well I think since I have a small sump I am going to use the Urchin Pro and the Iwaki as the return. From the overflow I think I'll have a tee with a control valve to regulate flow going into the sump. The rest of the water will go through a Mag 24 in a closed loop system for lots of circulation. The sump will mainly be used to house my skimmer,heaters, and add kalk - not for flow. Sound ok?