• Aquatic construction and equipment selection

  • Mitchell7972

I have been reading about ready-made aquariums for 2 months, but I realized that it's not what I need. There is a lot of hassle with modifications. I decided to order something similar to Resun or Boyu. The aquarium will be 45x50x45 with a back compartment of 10 cm. Equipment: Boyu Protein Skimmer WG-308 (117x85x290), Koralia Nano New circulation pump (900 l/h), and Hydor Pico Evolution return pump (capacity: 270 l/h, capable of lifting a water column by 50 cm). My first question is whether the return pump's performance is sufficient; in Savchuk, they say 2-3 volumes considering the height of the lift, or should I get a more powerful one, and if so, by how much? Regarding the heater, there are very conflicting opinions, and I have settled on the Eheim 100W. Is there anything else I need? Now, questions about the back compartment: what size should the cutout for the overflow be? At what height should the return hole be, and what diameter should it have? How should I connect the return pump to this hole? How should I properly place the partitions in the back compartment, meaning what distance should I leave at the bottom of the first partition and the distance from the top of the second? I welcome criticism and advice on how to correct anything that is not right.

Emily

The 15 cm depth of the sump will greatly simplify your life in the future - it immediately opens up options for mini and even mid-sized skimmers. 10 cm is a bit too little, even for a woman's hand (for maintenance). There is an option for a return with the NewJet 1200 l/h - you can put a rotor on it at the end (either a Hidor or something similar) - it will spin it properly and the flow reserve will be normal. For the overflow, 2-3 cm will be enough.

Leah

What about the return hole diameter, who can advise? Does it matter at what height to drill it? And one more question, what are the two holes for in Resun?

Karen

What will be connected: a sprinkler, a Hidro twist? Adapters are sold, but it's better to decide on the attachment right away and make the connection of the required diameter for it. You can be a bit clever, although it will be noticeable - bring the pipe out above the divider of the sump. Universally, it can be brought out 5-6 cm below the level.

Ryan2281

The size is very unfortunate. Have you thought about what your lighting will be? If not, think about it. A length of 60 cm would be better.

Ryan

I have been thinking a lot about the lighting for 60 cm. There will be either 5 T8 lamps of 14 W, which are 36 cm, or I was suggested to use LED (where I will make the cover). However, I feel a bit uneasy about the LED since there aren't many opinions on how well corals do under them.

Sarah5423

Buy the Resun DMS-500PL, put in a different foam filter, and don't struggle. It will be cheaper and more reliable.

William1830

And then to redo the lighting or run around looking for bulbs of the right spectrum that are nowhere to be found. I've already processed the fear of it, I don't want to. It won't be much cheaper considering that I need to replace the foam and then the pump with a quieter one, and this goes on indefinitely. In terms of cost, it will end up being the same, so here I will get exactly what I want right away.

Charles894

In Boyushka, there is nothing problematic; the skimmer essentially works well. But if (and it will be, for example, with non-photosynthetic organisms) the system is overloaded, there will be a desire to play it safe, and then the wish to install another skimmer will arise. The pump is generally quiet; you must have read something incorrectly. As for the lighting, everything could work out: 40+15 (for the sump) - you can fit T5e LL. If you make a cube of 45, then T5 with a full connection is needed.

Vanessa6144

Why do people ask for advice at first and then do everything their own way? It's not a problem; you can do whatever you want. In Resun DMS-500PL, you practically don't need to make any modifications! Getting the lamps is also not an issue, you don't need to add more light, etc. Just set it up, start it, and enjoy. With the aquarium sizes you mentioned, there will be problems and headaches. Many people here have gone through this.

Debra6575

Here is the link.

Danielle

In Resana, there is more than enough light, 72 watts for 72 liters. In the same fight, 48 for 130, do you feel the difference? You can check; I don't remember the distance between the partition and the aquarium, but it's quite possible that it will be an Aquamedic Blue 500.

Rebecca1419

In the resan, the light is good, but the rest is not; in battle, on the contrary, there is no light, but at least there is some equipment. Which of the two evils is lesser? That's why I decided to glue something similar to these aquas. A double-edged sword.

Cynthia

T5 There can be no talk of a fight here! I was talking about the planned dimensions of your aquarium!!! BOYU450 If you add LEDs to it, and this is the MINIMAL intervention - there won't be anything else to change. (see above). What you have planned is a normal option, and it may even be better in that you can clearly plan the dimensions yourself.

Christopher

I agree, but you need to understand what you want and how to achieve it. However, this size is not convenient. You can't fit anything in the back compartment, and as mentioned earlier, there will be issues with lighting. If you have the money, a very good option is the Aquael Reef MAX, but it is also 60 cm long.

Leonard

Thank you all, I learned everything I wanted.