250 gallon living room attraction

[thefuz]

A few things I'm grappling with now.

1. Overflow is to the right in the render above. Beananimal with 1.5" drains. There will be some tricky curves down into the basement but I'll be using FlexPVC. Anyone have a good estimate on flow? I'm using Bean's calculator here with 14' of head plus submerged pipes and it's reporting more than 9K GPH. I'm guessing that's full siphon but the actual can't be anywhere near that, right?

2. Return will be via Reeflo Barracuda/Hammerhead which is reported to produce greater than 4K GPH at that same 14' head. Will this be enough flow on the return (won't be primary flow in the display)?

3. As stated above I plan on splitting the return output at the far left of the tank front and back with a WavySeas on each to randomize the flow. Will this in addition to a pair of MP60s be good flow for this display? Any suggestions on MP60 placement? Would a Gyre be a good thing to try?

4. For lighting, I'll be running a pair of Radio Gen3 Pro (4 total) above each section (noted by the cabinet doors above - the glass eurobrace runs through the center) supported by two pairs of 39W T5s front to back (8 total). Will this be enough coverage? Could I step down to half the T5 count?

That's all for now. Suggestions appreciated!

PS - Does anyone have a good recommendation for natural looking coral inserts? I'd like to explore something for the overflow on the right.

 

[Peterbran]

Nice stand

 

[thefuz]

Water storage and mixing station... check!

Still debating substrate or not. Leaning towards 1/2" of Tropic Eden Reef Flakes.

 

[nuxx]

We used like an 1 of Seaflor Special Grade on top of eggcrate in the big tank. Works well and looks good.

Couldn't imagine it without sand...

 

[SpikeDangles]

Looking good Mike!

 

[thefuz]

Yeah, nuxx. I think that's where I'm at also. BB works for some but I'm not on board for now.

 

[thefuz]

I'm working on alternate options for the skimmer. The tank won't be stocked heavily at first so I may go with a small skimmer to start with: SRO 2000int - much cheaper to run.

Eventually, I'm looking to upgrade to something sized more appropriately. Any opinions out there on the differences between something like a Regal (is the 3000sss too large?) or maybe a Bubble King Supermarin 200 or 250? Definitely dig the DC pumps on both but the BK seems more fine-tuneable (at a significant premium though!). Alternately, I could explore the MTC MVX line. I have no experience with external skimmers though. Are they any more/less difficult to dial in and how's maintenance?

Separate topic, I'll likely be using dosers ahead of the calcium reactor. Any rule of thumb on figure out when to upgrade to a reactor?

 

[thefuz]

Stand/tank in place and settling! Going to give it a few days to creep along the floor supports and see where we're at for final leveling. It's pretty close now. The access panel for the overflow is a little tighter than I'd like but I'll manage.

 

[adddo]

That is going to be really cool, really like the stand!

 

[reefjunkie86]

Great job, it's going to look great once it's filled.

 

[BMMMW]

Beautiful. Love the slide out light feature.

 

[jeeperrs]

Good work! Leveling the floors with supports is why I put my tank in the basement

 

[thefuz]

That works great if you put in a lot of time down there. For us, the living room is where it's at. Finally getting used to this monstrosity crowding out the room!

 

[Bogue Chitto]

That is really going to look good when you get it going. Your men did a real good job on the cabinet around it.

 

[Pastey]

Very nice spot and awesome cabinet work there. Slightly nit-picky but, does the TV reflect off the tank when viewing from the couch? That would drive me bonkers. I constantly find myself watching my tank instead of the TV when on the couch.

 

[MrsReefK]

Looking great!!

 

[thefuz]

I was worried about that too, Pastey - happy to report it doesn't reflect at all; at least, not from the viewing angle we have on the couch.

All leveled as of this AM. Will start the RO fill after some plumbing tomorrow!

 

[kegogut]

Very nice spot and awesome cabinet work there. Slightly nit-picky but, does the TV reflect off the tank when viewing from the couch? That would drive me bonkers. I constantly find myself watching my tank instead of the TV when on the couch.

I have my 60 in my living room ( 220 is in the basement family room ) next to the TV and I also find myself constantly drawn to the tank as well.

 

[thefuz]

Ha, true - I'll probably be guilty of that also. The current 90 gallon is behind us from the couch. I'm definitely guilty of craning my neck around despite the TV position!

 

[tommyboynj]

Nice cabinet work. Dosnt matter where you put the tank, you'll always be distracted by it. My cube is at the intersection of my two couches. Direct behind you when looking at the tv. When I'm laying on the couch watching the tv, I can see the reflection of my tank in my iPad as I'm typing in it [emoji1]