150G to 250 G Looking to get

[winterpeg]

I"m just looking right now for some idea's..

WE are looking to get a 150 g to a 250 gallon tank..

1. I"m not sure about the best size to get.. for volume

2. and also we will be getting it custom made locally and just wanting to know what dimensions it should be depending on the size of volume.

Thanks and start sending me pro and cons for everything. As would like to do this right the first time for other mistakes and triumphs..

I have had 30 G and now i have a small 6g nano.. just getting the basement done so we can have a big tank and we not moving any more..

Thanks

 

[Bogue Chitto]

IMO the more surface area on the tank the more oxygen exchange you will have. The bigger the size tank, the better your stock will do.

 

[winterpeg]

Here is a better version of above.. Was sleepy when I wrote it.. not sure how to edit my post.

We are just finally getting our basement done soon so we than can get our new fish tank.. YEPPIE

But we are not sure what to get.. We have had 30 g and now a 6 g.. baby nano...

But we would like to get a 150 G to 200 G or bigger.. But not sure why you would go the extra big I know bigger is better..

but where is the Price point break for the size of thank you get..
As i know skimmers, lights, and pumps will play the factor when you build bigger.. As a Skimmer has it limits and then you have to go to the next size up..

Also to what size of tank should should we get.. like 6 feet long x ? x ?.. or would you to shorter but higher. and wider? or longer like 7 feet.

We would like a canopy, but do most go open lid.. but that would put lots of evaporation in the house?
Does anyone run a good fan to take out the extra humidity in the basement.. as we don't want our hvac to rust over time.
We live in canada with Winter - so we need it all to go under the stand. and nothing can go outside it would freeze (its -15c right now or 5f.. but we go down to -40c or -40f)

What other kinds of equipment do you get for a Larger tanks.. dont' need it at once but can upgrade later..
- Apex controller
- RO/DI
- Pumps - do the ore you pay make the quiter. how do you tell this when you buy them do they have a noise rating on them.
- Reactors,
- oxygen
-????????
- Things you woudn't have on a smaller tanks.

Do you have any pro's or cons from your last or current build that you could pass along.

Thanks for your advice

 

[Bogue Chitto]

Well, what I am saying is the smaller the tank, the quicker things can go bad. If you have a disease it will be more able to get worse in a small tank. Same way with nitrates, ammonia phosphates and other elements. In a big tank they are less concentrated, it takes longer for them to have an affect. You don't have to have a real big tank to be successful, just use common sense and do water changes and do tests and keep up with the maintenance. Just read some of the stickies on this site and you will get the information you need. IMO big tanks have always been easier to maintain for me. There are several good people on this site that can help you decide on what is best. As for equipment, you need to decide what size tank you are going to have, then think about the equipment.

 

[dave.m]

Your questions suggest you have not read any of the threads here. There are lots of possible solutions and things to do/not do.

You are not going to get all the answers on a forum. You need to do your homework, first. Best to read some books. I suggest you start with the books by Mr. Saltwater Tank. They are the most up-to-date.

Look at as many tanks set up by other people as possible. Get a feel for what it is you want first, then start to look into what it takes to build and operate such a tank. Then lastly determine if you can afford your ideal and then start to work downwards from there. It sounds like you haven't really got much of an idea as to what you even want yet, let alone how to create it.

Dave.M

 

[winterpeg]

Thanks for the info.. I have been reading lots over the years. Now just to figure what I require.. and why to do so is the big question as each person has there own ideas..

I just found a great 52 week video series from BRS on YouTube and it great they talk about each phase of the project and equipment...

Thanks

 

[apcoleman]

The biggest piece of advice I could give you is pick your budget and go from there. When I went from my 90 to my 250 I had a total budget in mind and that really dictated the size of the tank. Could I have gone bigger, absolutely. I wanted to have quality equipment and not have to cut any corners because I didnt add things up along the way.

Best of luck with your upgrade!