1000 Gallon, Multiple Tank Setup Questions

[GCaquariumsGC]

Plans are in the works for a huge public aquarium display. The plan consists of three acrylic tanks (170G, 220G, 290G) all plumbed togather into one custom made sump. The tanks will be open to a set of huge skylights where the light will then pass through a UV blocking canvas. The tanks have already been ordered and are in production

Current Specs are...

Lighting
Natural Lighting via skylights
VHO Lighting at 4 watts per gallon on 2 seperate ballasts per tank
3/4 Moon lights per tank
All lights will be controlled via Neptune System

Water
5 Stage RO/DI water
Tunze Auto Top-Off

Temp Control
Four Stealth 300W Heaters
1/4 HP Chiller

Return Pump
Iwaki WP-IKMX-100VT-15L (1986 GPH at 6ft)

Skimmer
Tunze DOC 9020

Powerheads
170G Tank - Two Tunze 6080
220G Tank - Three Tunze 6080
290G Tank - Four Tunze 6080

Rock/Sand
700lb Totoka Live Rock
AragaLive Sand

Automation
The entire system will be monitored and controlled by a complete Neptune system and AquaNotes.

There will also be a calcium reactor.

Please comment on any suggestions or possible changes!

Thanks!!
GCAquariumsGC

 

[barbra]

That skimmer choice should be reevaluated, it's just not enough in my opinion. Look at Deltec, ASM, etc.

 

[GCaquariumsGC]

The Skimmer is actually a Tunze Master DOC. Sorry about the error.

 

[barbra]

Is the chiller going to be enough to handle the relative unpredicatability of the skylight lighting system?

Just playing Devil's advocate, not trying to pick apart your system

 

[GCaquariumsGC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9369056#post9369056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by barbra
Is the chiller going to be enough to handle the relative unpredicatability of the skylight lighting system?

Just playing Devil's advocate, not trying to pick apart your system

A legitimate question that I have been wondering myself. What would you, or somebody else, recommend instead?

GCaquariumsGC

 

[coralnut99]

I think you should evaluate what the temperature extremes might be. For comparison's sake, two of my displays share a common refugium and sump. A 125G, a 90G, a 20G sump, and a 70G custom fuge. Allowing for the volume of rock, I would guess something close to 275G of water in this system. In winter, if we're out and about for a long stretch during the day, the room temp. can reach low 60's as the basement is heated by wood. 600W of heater is required here, to maintain 75 degrees. In a prolonged power outage, even if you have backup generator capability, those heaters may have a tough time holding temp., conversely so would the 1/4 HP chiller.
Depending on the inhabitants. the 6080's may insufficient also. I have 2 in one of my 125's and I find them barely acceptable for SPS requirements.
hth