OK update time. The tank is still running. I never setup the sump, life has been hectic lately. I've decided to change a few things with the setup and need some advise. I'm looking to add a few corals and I am going to change the lighting, add the sump, add a skimmer and finally get off my butt with this tank, lol.
Tank currently has the small T8 bulb which is like 5 or so watts I think and I added 3 12" stunner strips. The tank looks great but Im not happy with the setup with different switches and such, it just erks me for some unexplainable reason. I'm leaning towards a kessil A150 for the tank. The tank is 13"x13"x20" Is this extreme overkill? Would it work well for this setup? I have seen them on nanocube tanks.
Secondly when I setup the sump what is a reasonable gph to shoot for. With it being a column tank I don't want a vortex. I'm going to run a split nozzle return with 2 outlets to divide the flow as best I can. I bought a mag 5 but I'm worried even with head loss it will be way to much. And with a ball valve I don't want it like 75% closed. The overflow box is rated for 300gph I believe. I'm guessing around 200gph is feasible.
Lastly how do I go about adding the sump. It will basically be doubling the water volume and in such a small tank this scares me. I only have 2 fish in the tank right now so it is lightly stocked. Do I just get the water chemistry as close as possible?
I've had this tank setup almost 2 years and I still feel like I don't know anything about saltwater, every time I do some research on reef forums its like they are speaking a different language.