245 Gallon Tank Build - Looking for Suggestions

[rldcpa]

I am going to order my tank tomorrow and would like any feedback you may have (before its too late).

245 gallon glass tank with front Starphyre glass - 72"Lx30"Dx26"H - Large
16"x5" internal overflow with three 1.5" drains (internal bean-animal design) and one 1" return split into two .75" lok-lines that run to the bottom of the tank for deep flow. Black Silicone. Poplar 36" high wood stand in black. Tank has 3 cross braces dividing the top into three 2' sections.

Sump 112 gallon glass - 60"Lx24"Dx18"H with built in ATO of about 21 gallons, 22"x24" skimmer and sock area (medium flow), 10"x24" pump return area and 12"x24" refugium (low flow). 7" Sock for main drain and 4" for secondary drain that will go to the refugium.

Tropic Eden Reeflakes Aragonite Sand 120 pounds.

200 pounds of Reef Rock (Bulk Reef Supply Eco).

Return Pump Water Blaster 7000 (maybe the Water Blaster 10000) - still deciding.

SRO5000 Protein Skimmer (unless this is overkill and then should get the SRO3000).

2 Tunze 6105 Controllable powerheads.

Apex Controller - Ph probe (not sure if I should get the ORP probe or the Convectivity option and probe or just get a refractor).

Lighting will be 3 Apollo LED dimable or 3 Chinese LED lights.

RO/DI Bulk Reef Supply with meter - 75 gallon (might take a while to fill the tank)

Please feel free to critique or suggest any changes you think I should make.

 

[Giovanni]

Who is making the tank and how much?

 

[rldcpa]

Great Lakes in Michigan. They are a couple of miles away. Tank, sump and stand for $2500.

 

[rldcpa]

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the tank. I should have it by Thanksgiving.

 

[janey]

WOW the Tank size Nice please Do keep us inform. I'm looking for a tank about that size and style. Let me know how the work man ship is..

 

[Loserland]

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the tank. I should have it by Thanksgiving.

:dance:

 

[rldcpa]

I have spent the last 3 months reading everything on this site and on the web trying to figure out what to get. My original thoughts were a 110 but over the months it grew into a 245 gallon.

I got a quote from various tank makers and went with Great Lakes Aquariums as they have good quality tanks at low prices (and for me no long distance shipping).

I have spent most week ends in their store checking out their tanks and overflow options (hopefully not driving them too crazy with all my questions). The good thing about them is that they will try to give you what you want and at the same time warn you of anything that they do not agree with.

Their standard tanks have an overflow with 2 holes but they will put in larger overflows, as they did with me, and they actually put in 4 for me so I could do the bean-animal design, but with inside overflow. I went with 3 drains (1.5" each and 1 return (1"). Of the 3 drains, one will be a full vacuum with gate valve, one will have very little flow, and the 3rd drain is the emergency drain.

Great Lakes Aquariums custom built my sump so I was able to put in a ATO Section, Skimmer/sock section, return pump section and a refugium section. I was able to go pretty big with the sump with 60x24x18H dimensions.

I went with a black colored poplar wood stand with doors in the front and side and that is 36" high.

Before I could ever get started on the tank build, however, my wife made me patch all the holes in the walls, prime and paint the walls and ceiling (what a pain for me as I have never rolled anything before), and clean the carpets. That was completed last week so this week I got to order the tank. It will be the centerpiece of my living/dining room.

My goal for the tank right now is mixed reef with mostly SPS corals and reef friendly fish with a low to mid bio load.

I will try to supply pictures and updates as the build continues.

 

[Giovanni]

I just googled Great lakes aquariums and the site is down. Do you have a valid site. I am looking for a new tank also. Where are they located?

 

[Giovanni]

Never mind it must have been a server glitch.

 

[SkyHawk]

I really like your tank dimensions. I am very close to ordering my tank. Miracles list 180 gal. 72x24x24 for $850 but I would be interested in something closer to yours. I'm waiting for them to get back to me on the cost of going 30" deep. The height I am not so undecided on but of course bigger is always better... Do you know what thickness glass you are getting? How much more was it for the Starphire? I was thinking 1" overflow drains. What made you decide on 1.5"?

 

[SUPPOReefer]

If you want a smaller bio load then the SRO5000 is probably too much of a skimmer. The 3000 will be fine.