Designing a 1200 gallon split system

ReefMan692

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Designing a 1200 Gallon system and thinking about using the

REEF OCTOPUS SRO-XP8000E​



Does anyone have experience with large external skimmers? How does this one rate? Is there any better alternative? One issue I am having is tracking down someone with available stock on these things. Seems like this model at least is sold out everywhere so alternative recommendations would be appreciated.


Also, I don't have too much experience with Calcium reactors, how nice are they for a large system that is going to have a large coral load?

Reef Octopus 250PRO Commercial Calcium Reactor
I was eyeballing this one: https://www.coralvue.com/250pro-commercial-calcium-reactor

However I think having the same issues I can't seem to find a reliable source that has something this large in stock -- are there alternatives that anyone could recommend, or experience using this model to share?

I have a 250 gallon Sump already built, it's a monster.






 
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SPR1968

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It might be worth checking out the monster tank build thread forum as there are some very large systems in there, and see what there using

The calcium reactors make running the system very easy once set up, I use the Deltec Twin Tech which are fully automated and very simple to use, but there also expensive
 
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ReefMan692

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Thank you for that recommendation I appreciate it: i found this, might be pricey but at least its in stock!

Now im eyeballing that big boy in sump skimmer they have lol

 
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SPR1968

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Thank you for that recommendation I appreciate it: i found this, might be pricey but at least its in stock!

Now im eyeballing that big boy in sump skimmer they have lol

There’s a very good you tube review by reef builders on the Twin Tech if you do a quick search, which tells you all about it. The Deltec build quality is excellent
 

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Deltec is good equipment. But their ability to get Deltec service and Deltec parts in the US over the past 10 years has been very inconsistent. Since Doug Thompson stopped being the US Deltec Distributor they have gone through 3 or 4 stints with various distributors and customer service has always been the point of failure.

For skimmers look at the MRC or RK2 small sized skimmers.

For Calcium Reactor - Dastaco's come in some gigantic sizes and are more than capable for keeping up with large loads. I have an EXT9 and once it's filled with Media, other than changing pump tubing, it only needs to be opened once or twice a year to add media. It uses a specific Dastaco Media which burns ultra clean, and means no sludge buildup in the bottom of the reactors.

For water Movement look at the Panta Rhei pumps - They are in a league of their own.


Dave B
 
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ReefMan692

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Thanks for recommendation on the deltec. Got the 800 gallon model ordered figure we will start there and if it needs an upgrade down the doad we will do it.

received_456114898834049.jpeg

Look ma its an 8 foot long tank!

System will actually have 4 of these and a 250 gallon sump
 
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ReefMan692

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Deltec is good equipment. But their ability to get Deltec service and Deltec parts in the US over the past 10 years has been very inconsistent. Since Doug Thompson stopped being the US Deltec Distributor they have gone through 3 or 4 stints with various distributors and customer service has always been the point of failure.

For skimmers look at the MRC or RK2 small sized skimmers.

For Calcium Reactor - Dastaco's come in some gigantic sizes and are more than capable for keeping up with large loads. I have an EXT9 and once it's filled with Media, other than changing pump tubing, it only needs to be opened once or twice a year to add media. It uses a specific Dastaco Media which burns ultra clean, and means no sludge buildup in the bottom of the reactors.

For water Movement look at the Panta Rhei pumps - They are in a league of their own.


Dave B
Awesome. I already went with a deltec on the cal reactor but I am interested in these panta rheis you speak of. I will check into these!

Thanks for the recommendation on the RK2, I arrived there myself as well (see below)
 
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ReefMan692

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For the skimmer I went with an Rk5ac -- seen these guys a bit at some different facilities and I liked the sales guy on the phone Tim seems like a good company I hope I will be happy with it
 

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ca1ore

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Definitely look at MRC for large external skimmers. I'm a fan of MTC, but you'd have to find one used as they are now gone. If your system is multiple smaller tanks rather than one 1,200 gallon tank then your flow options open up considerably. I'm using MP60s on my 8' 450 and they work well. Panta Rhei (hydrowizard) are nice pumps but $$$$ even by reefing standards. Unless you go with their really large models (both in terms of flow and physical size) I see no advantage over the more conventional options. If you were doing a single 1,200 .....

Panta Rhei ECM 75 Hydrowizard – UniqueCorals
 
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ReefMan692

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And another one
Definitely look at MRC for large external skimmers. I'm a fan of MTC, but you'd have to find one used as they are now gone. If your system is multiple smaller tanks rather than one 1,200 gallon tank then your flow options open up considerably. I'm using MP60s on my 8' 450 and they work well. Panta Rhei (hydrowizard) are nice pumps but $$$$ even by reefing standards. Unless you go with their really large models (both in terms of flow and physical size) I see no advantage over the more conventional options. If you were doing a single 1,200 .....

Panta Rhei ECM 75 Hydrowizard – UniqueCorals

Thanks for the information -- that is helpful!! It is going to be split over four total tanks each of them:

86"Lx42"Wx16"H

The sump itself is 86"Lx42"Wx20"H.

Using one Skimmer, Cal Reactor to support the system but will likely have two return pumps (maybe just one, I am still debating, less is probably more when it comes to equipment). All the tanks of course will drain centrally into the sump.

I designed my own internal weir -- having it laser cut but it can support quite a bit of overflow. Using 1" teeth around the top of the box and some rectangle slots towards the bottom.

Drains and Return holes are all 1.5" (2x 1.5" drain + 1x emergency 1.5" drain + 1x return 1.5")

Of course that is one per tank (each tank will have it's own drain, return, and overflow box). So in actuality it's 8x 1.5" drains and 4x emergency 1.5" and 4x 1.5" return).

I wanted to support 10,000 GPH and not have any questions about whether or not it can achieve it. Whether or not I will use all available flow I do not know. I have heard varying recommendations on flow requirements being considerably less in larger systems, but I am always a believer that more is better!


In case it's helpful to anyone in terms of system design I have attached my custom spreadsheet for flow calculations (used this to calculate gravity drain flow through round apertures, weir overflow through sharp apertures like teeth and slots etc) I think it's fairly accurate -- I trust the math!

weirdesign.jpg Coraltank.jpg
 

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ReefMan692

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I had already previously made the sump. I made the sump into 3 separate chambers because at first it was difficult to work with the large pieces. I thought this would make it easier on me, in the end, perhaps I should have made it one solid sump.

As it is, the 3 chambers are each connected by 2x 2" drains around 9" off center from the top of the water line. I calculate the sump to be able to handle 10,000 GPH flow through with this design.

I made the baffles adjustable but plan to have a nice refugium chamber in the center piece.
 

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ReefMan692

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Here is the 250 gallon sump that is going to be running the whole thing.
 

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ReefMan692

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Gravity Flow Calculator Spread Sheet, Round and Square apertures adjust coefficient as needed.
 

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ReefMan692

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I have been making some more progress with the weir
 

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