I'd just like to say hi to everyone. I'm a old member but haven't been on the forum for a long time. Im not currently with tank :) I have a wife :) I'll be researching and planning the stages of a room divider peninsula style tank soon. I'll post a build thread once there's something to post :)...
I've seen beautiful tanks destroyed because of alkalinity spikes caused by kalk and it sounds like JK burton isn't using a ato but more of a drip till it's all in your system setup. I've seen them fail thousands of times. I've tried hanging a iv bag filled with water to replenish my tanks water...
JK burton, do you have a float switch in place or do you have something that just drips constantly? I would'nt mess with kalkwasser. I've heard to many scary stories of over doing it.
I use to clean mine once a month. It's nice not to have any powerheads in the tank but the extra power consumption is going to be less with PH in the display and one return than no PH and 2 return.
If it was my tank I would drill it or buy a HOB overflow. Hide all that equipment in the sump. You should probably think about a ATO too. Here's what I would do if I didn't have a sump though.....
Your list looks pretty good but I might change a few things. First thing you have to remember is...
Why not just turn your powerheads off at night? You can place them on timers. That's if you have PH's in your display. I think 2 pumps would just add to much clutter in your sump. Also more pumps to clean during your monthly chores. Stick with one.
Look into either a mag 5 or 7 for a return pump. I've had great experience with them. Lighting is personal preference. Me myself like a mixture of 10k and 20k. I found 14k hamiltons and Vho super actinics to be my lighting choice. As far as powerheads you should want something small. The more...
I've heard bad reviews about Octo HOB skimmer before they got the pump worked out, But haven't heard anything since. The HOB use to use the sicce pump and it was to much pump for this skimmer so it would over flow. Looks like they have a little pump in there now. Anyways give this one a look...