200 gallon project.

I like the flow for this tank...I am going for a mixed reef this time with lots of LPS that don't want tons of current. If I were going to go with SPS again, I would get a larger pump for the closed loop and more returns...maybe even an Oceans Motions 8-way for alternating current.
I got my closed loop pump from a local swimming pool shop.
My returns from my sump are halfway down the back wall and I use a true union check valve to prevent back siphoning in power outages.

The setup you describe sounds good to me...don't you just love the planning stage of a new aquarium?! Lots of fun!
 
pikey said:
don't you just love the planning stage of a new aquarium?! Lots of fun!
Click to expand...

Its a love hate relationship for me. It can be a ton of fun when things are making sense and working right, but when you run into a wall it can be a real pain in the neck. Funny thing is, and I know its this way for a lot of people, once you get the whole thing up and running correctly, you want to change it completely or start over. But your right, it is a lot of fun. Im always designing something in my head. Usually tanks that I cannot afford.

My tank will be almost completely SPS. Maybe an anemone with clowns and probably some clams later on. Id rather have to throttle back the flow than have to figure out how to add some.

I would really appreciate some suggestions on pump size. Im thinking of around 2000 to 3000 gph for the closed loop with a 4 way Oceans Motion. I will probably split most of these outlets into two outlets after they are in the tank. The tank Im looking at (GlassCages.com) has an overflow rated for 1500 gallons an hour with a single 1.5" drain. I may add another 1.5" drain just in case. My return will probably be 1000 to 1300 gph split to two returns. Any suggestions?

Thanks again for all the help.

ReefWaters
 
I would definitely go with the second 1.5" drain. Not necessarily for more flow, but in case one gets clogged somehow...the other is for redundancy. My friend here just got a Sequence pump...not sure what model, but it is dead silent too. Lots of flow..I think 3000-3500 GPH. And you are right, I would rather throttle back flow than not have enough. I live about an hour from GlassCages and have been there many times. They used to have pretty sloppy silicon work, but it has improved a lot since then. They seem like good tanks to me, and the price is right.
 
The price is right on. The quote I got was only $75 more than my 2 nearest LFS told me for a standard All Glass 120 with a single overflow and NO extra drilling. And that included shipping. I cant complain about that.

I havent heard a lot about GlassCages but what I have heard has been good. Have you seen any of his tanks recently? Is the silicone still sub-par? What do you think? Is it worth it?

Did you use any kind of formula to figure out how much gph flow you wanted or did you just build from your experience?
 
I have seen some of there tanks within the last couple of months, and the quality is much better than before. I personally like there tanks...except that they make their overflows out of glass. If they would just start making acrylic or ABS overflows, I think they would look a lot more professional.

As for flow, I just went on past experience.
 
I guess the question is would you spend your money on Glass Cage aquarium?

I did not realize that they were using glass for the overflow. I had an old All Glass back when they were using glass overflows and didnt like it very much. I had a really hard time finding a good way to make a strainer for the top edge and never did find a way I liked.

What made you decide to go with the Oceans View?
 
You can always cut some black acrylic to cover the glass overflows, and silicon them right to the glass, and cut grooves in the top for a strainer.

I bought an Ocean View tank because I know Mike, the owner, and have bought MANY tanks from him in the past. Otherwise I would probably buy a Glass Cages tank because they are so close to me, will custom build just about any size/dimensions, and their quality is good...just maybe not as good as some others out there on the market.
 
irishbing - here is the picture of how I hung my lights.

11601754-M.jpg


Also a couple of other pics.
Green Hammer.
11601748-M.jpg

Whole tank.
11601751-L.jpg

My sump with 2 ER CS8-1 skimmers running.
11601753-M.jpg
 
Pikey, the tank is looking better every day. Keep it up.

I could also just have him leave the overflow out and cut the drain holes for me. I really want an external overflow but havent seen too many being done by the mfg. Most are DIY projects.

Do you know of some other tanks mfgs I could check out?

Thanks for all the help.

ReefWaters
 
Well, there was Ocea down in Florida but they went out of business. They made awesome tanks, and stands that were absolutely furniture quality. Ocean View is in Pascagoula, MS but they are wholesale only...you would have to find a local shop to order it through.
 
Hi Pikey, Awsome Tank, Nice helpful thread too!!

What was the Actual GPH flow you were shooting for in your 200 gal. mixed reef tank?

I'm planning a similar tank with anemones, softies, and may be some hardier SPS.
 
With the combination of the closed loop and return pump, I am shooting for around 2000-2500 GPH. The closed loop pump pushing 2400GPH, and the return pump pushing 800GPH, that is 3200 without any loss from head pressure, etc. I think I am getting what I was shooting for. The tank has a nice flow (going by the corals waving back and forth, and the way the food gets pushed around in the tank at feeding time).
 
Anything new with your tank pikey? How often do you find yourself filling up that 10 gallon RO feed tank?
 
Not much going on...just letting everything grow in. I only add 2 - 2.5 gallons of water a day to the RO reservoir. My evaporation is really not as bad as I expected. I will take some pictures this weekend maybe and post them. I don't think it looks much different, but I see it everyday. Sometimes pictures show the differences the eye can't see.
 
I'm interested in doing a RO reservoir as well. How fast does it gravity feed through the kalk mixer? A steady stream or a slow drip? This kind of setup might be my answer as my RO unit is far away from my tank. It seems fairly simple to setup.
 
It is extremely simple to setup...you don't have to use an aquarium for it, you could use a rubbermaid container or something. It feeds through at a pretty slow rate. Not quite a steady stream but a very fast drip. I am really glad I set it up. I plan on using a similar system on my next tank. I have ordered a 24"X24"X18" tank to house a pair of clownfish and a host anemone. It will be on a much smaller scale and I am building the reactor myself, but same idea.
 
So now we are all over here...:lol: :lol: :lol:

Pikey tank looks great...you know after you switched back to 250's I decided to keep my 250's so now I have some PFO 400's that I need to get rid of...:lol:

Mike
 
Psyire - I have sand from Acrotropic.com, but they seem to have gone out of business. I cannot get to their website anymore. It is basically Southdown...really fine sand.

Mike - Thanks, I am not adding anything for a while. I am trying to give the stuff I have time to grow in a little.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Brian60077
Big project starting today......
Replies
7
Views
145
Dustin07
D
U
New build
Replies
3
Views
258
griss
griss
cilyjr
Cilyjr 320 gallon on the central coast
Replies
12
Views
468
rogerwilco357
rogerwilco357
adova
300g DIY Acrylic Tank Recommendations
Replies
5
Views
114
griss
griss
M
Iam about to build my forever tank. Any advice? I want to migrate my current two ranks
Replies
5
Views
204
Paul B
Paul B
Back
Top