JLight's 46 Gallon bowfront build

[JLight]

Hey guys, Ive recently shut down my 75 gallon and dont want to get out of the hobby but need to downsize a bit. So I have bought a 46 gallon bowfront that I plan on making into a mixed reef. Currently the build is standing still because I am waiting to figure out how I want the tank to be drilled and what sump I'm going to plan on using. But the thread will walk through the build when it gets going in the coming months. Any and all advice will be considered because only being in the hobby for about a year is not enough for me to call myself an expert by any means.:smile:


So to start conversation, How should I have the tank drilled and what type of overflow plumbing should I use? I plan on using a overflow box from BRS so should I have one or two holes drilled for the overflow and how should I plumb it?

Also has anyone had any experience with a Eshopps R-75 sump?

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[JLight]

Anyone?

 

[Flameback Pair]

BRS overflow boxes have to be siliconed into place because they have no back. You might want to go with a glass holes overflow, the bulkhead secures the box into place.

 

[DSP]

Go with a overflow kit from glass holes s they will send ya everything you need to get the tank drilled and overflow mounted. Trigger systems makes great sumps check them out

 

[JLight]

Yeah I was thinking of glass holes but I cant see myself spending the 75 bucks on just an overflow box. And with the sump Im kinda short with space. The stand only allows me 32x11 inches so im kind of stuck with only certain options.

 

[DSP]

Yeah I was thinking of glass holes but I cant see myself spending the 75 bucks on just an overflow box. And with the sump Im kinda short with space. The stand only allows me 32x11 inches so im kind of stuck with only certain options.

Idk what your budget is but since you don't have much space I'd email Synergy and get a quote on a custom sump, Also $75 is a great deal that comes with overflow, bulkheads, hole saw and I believe something else, Won't find a cheaper package. Plus there overflow won't take up much room in the tank there very thin unlike brs

 

[JLight]

Idk what your budget is but since you don't have much space I'd email Synergy and get a quote on a custom sump, Also $75 is a great deal that comes with overflow, bulkheads, hole saw and I believe something else, Won't find a cheaper package. Plus there overflow won't take up much room in the tank there very thin unlike brs

Yeah I guess if I think about it I wouldnt need the hole saw so it would only be 65 so i guess thats not too bad. But as for my budget im looking to keep it as cheap as possible I guess. but I will contact synergy and talk to them about a price.

 

[JLight]

So I was looking at sumps by Synergy and they seem to be a bit out of my price range so I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with the eshopps sump. Now the next issue is what size return pump should I get? I plan on using a type of manifold system where the return pump will supply water to my external skimmer and my phosban reactor I plan on getting. The skimmer says to be running with 250 gph running through it and the phosban I believe is the same. So if I want to have at least 500 gph going through the tank should I get a 1000 gph pump? Or should it be larger then that?

 

[Flameback Pair]

You want to oversize your pump a little because of head pressure (friction of water going through pipe, elbows, valves, etc.) Your pump will lose some flow do to the pressure it exerts pumping through plumbing and equipment.

 

[JLight]

You want to oversize your pump a little because of head pressure (friction of water going through pipe, elbows, valves, etc.) Your pump will lose some flow do to the pressure it exerts pumping through plumbing and equipment.

Finally some advice! So if I'm looking to get let's just say 650 gph I should get at least a 700 gph?

 

[JLight]

Ok so I've decided Im going to sell the skimmer and not do the manifold system. Im thinking im going to go with the cad lights pipeless skimmer because of the small foot print.