240 Gallon Long New Build

[Chi Town Reefer]

I have been out of the hobby for around 5 years and despretly want to get back into it now that I am settled into my new home. My last build was a custom 125G Tall, with a 55 G sump, and 4 x 20G frag tanks off the back of the tank. I have been reading the forums for days now and it seems that there have been alot of new products that have been introduced into the hobby such as lighting and skimmers, etc. I am looking to pruchase everything within the next 2 months and I want to have everything before I start the builld so I have a few questions. The tank I have decided to go with is a 96x24x24 240G Long Acrylic tank from Glasscages.com., most likely will be a 75G sump tank below. I willl be building the stand out of tubular steel and the hood out of wood. I plan on having live rock, softies, lps, clams, and some sps corals. Here come the questions.
1,) I have noticed that LED lighting has become pretty popular but I know nothing about it, is LED lighting the best to use for a 24" deep tank or are the MH lights still the way to go?
2,) What size and quanity lights do I need if I go with LED Lighting?
3,) What size and quanity lights do i need if I go with MH Lighting?
4,) What is the best skimmer to go with?
5,) Flow: I plan on having 6 return outlets coming from over the back of the tank so how much internal flow do you think is needed with Tunze controllers, etc?
6,) Return Pump: I plan on having an external return pump, what size should I go with having a 42" tall stand?
7,) Controllers, I want this tank to be as self running as possible so what are your suggestions on every controller I can possibly use to minimize maintenance time.
I am not trying to cut any corners or skimp out on this build, I want the very best because this tank is going to be placed directly behind my bar and will be my pride and joy. Thank you very much to anyone who can help out with this build.

 

[Mark Bianco]

I have a 210 6' x 2' x 31" tall 210gl

1. You will get many opinions on this subject. I did have MH and switched about a year ago to AI's and my tank is about 31" deep. Never had thought about going back.
2. Six to 8 AI's would be great. Most manufactors reccomend a space of 2' per unit.
3, 4 250 watt is what I would use.
4, 1 choice would be a Buble King Supermarlin, second would be a Vertex Either with an auto neck clearner.
5. Tunze all the way 1st choice would be a 6125 wavebox and 2 6105, second choice would be 2 6155 and 2 6105. Check with Roger on the Tunze forum for the best setup, he is very helpfull.
6. I use 10x turnover rate for returning back to the sump. I have used many different pumps both internal and external. I have been more then happy with Reeflo pumps.
7. I use an Apex controls and monitors ever aspect of my tank powerheads, lights heaters, top off, ect. The only things I do not the Apex for is Auto water change. I have a Litermeter and it does 150 water changes every 24 hours. The other thing I do not use the Apex for is the Wave box. Hovever I do have both of these powered by the Apex so I can shutdown during feedings, or if a prameter is out of line. The other cool thing about Apex if there is a problem it will send you both an email and text messag if there is some type of problem. Since I travel it nice to be able to monitor and control my tank form any smart phone of any internet connection. The last cool thing about the Apex (I have not tried it yet) you can hook up a web cam and observe the tank from anywhere. Yes we like to brag about our tanks. LOL

There you have my opinions my friend.