Need some opinions on new tank equipment

[step johns]

Alright so im going to start gathering my equipment for my new tank build here soon. Its going to be a 40 breeder with a 100 gallon stock tank as a sump. Just looking for others opinions on my equipment choices, i am very open to any guidance or criticism

Lighting:
I was planning on going DIY LED route and getting a 36 led dimmable kit from rapid led. Would this be enough light for a 40br?
Return Pump:
Was looking at the Iwaki MD30RLT(510 GPH), it looks like a really good pump and i figured that it could easily go through two returns and still have plenty of flow, is this too much flow for such a small tank?
Skimmer:
Was looking at the SWC Extreme 200, i love swc products and used to have one of their cone skimmers so i am fairly set on getting this.
Sump:
The 100 gallon stock tank, i want it just for the extra water volume. My thoughts were that i would be able to turn half of it in to a refugium with live rock and some macro algae, or would it be a better idea to have a seperate tank for this?

 

[mchartier]

Take a look at multi-chip LEDs for your build, here is a reference thread on RC http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2128756

 

[MrX]

Noticed you don't mention any power heads... are you thinking the flow from the returns would be enough? How you design the 100g stock tank will probably make a difference.

I have my 100g stock tank divided using a wall of live rock. About 60% of it has the skimmer equipment/etc., then the rock 'wall', and then I have about 2-3" of sand on the other side of the wall as a refugium. Check out my build thread for pictures. Seems to be working well so far.

At the advice of another member my drains run into a small trash barrel that sits inside the 100g stock tank. This keeps the DT/dirty water mostly separated; the skimmer pump is in this bucket, along with a heater and a big piece of rock. Right next to that, sitting on an upside down plastic file cabinet box is my skimmer. I drilled a bunch of 3" holes in the file cabinet box to allow flow/sinkage/etc. It has a nice lip on the bottom, top now where the skimmer sits, that keeps the skimmer from sliding around. I got this box from Walmart in the Office section. The lid of the file cabinet box had two clamp-like handles to close it. I just tossed that whole part in the recycle bin.

In regards to the DIY led project most of what I've heard/read is that unless you're good at soldering/tinkering/etc. and/or just want the challenge, it's not going to save you a lot of money over just buying a fixture off eBay or something. There are a couple good threads about the eBay LEDs in the forums.

 

[The River Reef]

The DIY LED... Not worth it! Unless you can find someone like me dumping their parts barely used cheap. I spent over $500 in parts. Blew my first string of 14 cool whites. Started with non dimmable drivers then changed to dimmable. Didn't like the color, change half of the LEDs. Optics were too focused, change the optics. Many late nights soldering, supplies... Wire, solder, irons, tape, fittings, and time! Buy a fixture or two for $120 each and be done!

 

[P-Nut]

for DIY LEDS:

http://www.aquastyleonline.com/categories/DIY-LED-Lighting/DIY-Dimmable-LED-Strip-Kits/

Those kits are not too expensive, are dimmable and are already pre-wired. It doesnt get better than that.

2 24 LED kits should be enough, with maybe 80 degree optics.

the heatsink is less than $30. Scorll to the bottom of the page to check out some pics.

now, they are not CREE LEDs, they are Bridgelux, but at 3W, they are still good, and chances are you wont be able to have them at 100% power.

 

[step johns]

I was thinking koralia powerheads until i save up enough for an mp10 or two, also would it be alright to use egg crate to section it off? I figured that would give it plenty of flow and wouldn't be very restrictive except for keeping the macro algae in the section that i wanted

 

[step johns]

I do agree about the diy leds but i do like the look of leds since i have had them in the past, plus not having to spend money on bulb replacement for at least a short while, and im not ready to drop the big bucks on a pre made fixture yet

The DIY LED... Not worth it! Unless you can find someone like me dumping their parts barely used cheap. I spent over $500 in parts. Blew my first string of 14 cool whites. Started with non dimmable drivers then changed to dimmable. Didn't like the color, change half of the LEDs. Optics were too focused, change the optics. Many late nights soldering, supplies... Wire, solder, irons, tape, fittings, and time! Buy a fixture or two for $120 each and be done!

 

[step johns]

I actually used them for my last led build that i had. Bottom line is that i didnt like them. Also i found out that they dont actually run at 3w like they say they do. On an old forum i was on one of the guys was an electrican and was trying out all the different led options and said that these specific ones only ran at 2 watts a piece instead of 3

 

[P-Nut]

I actually used them for my last led build that i had. Bottom line is that i didnt like them. Also i found out that they dont actually run at 3w like they say they do. On an old forum i was on one of the guys was an electrican and was trying out all the different led options and said that these specific ones only ran at 2 watts a piece instead of 3

is that an anwer to my post?

 

[step johns]

It is yes

is that an anwer to my post?