300-400 Gal. Tank build advisor

[jfbhd4]

I am looking to put a 300-400 gallon tank in my office. It will be very close to my desk, so I will be able to enjoy it for many years to come.

I am looking for someone who can consult with me to basically help pick the right equipment/size/shape/fish/etc.

Want to do it right, as in the past I have had somewhat rigged systems.

I am in St. Louis, MO. I posted something similar on the local forum and the two people who were recommended were less than helpful and never really got back to me with any ideas. Now broadening the search. Will use someone local to set up and manage, but want advice from an expert on the design.

Thanks

 

[Ostentum]

Your honestly going to get about 70 different answers. so a couple of questions. What are you wanting to keep, fish, hard corals, softcorals, mixed reef? Do you have a spot in your office in mind? Is it going to be in wall with an area for equipment, or are you going to house all the equipment underneath? Is this going to be a budget build where you want want to use cheaper equipment that does a good job, or used equipment or is price not an object and brand new best that money can buy kind of equipment? Will help you get a better answers and maybe some more consensus from the masses. I am currently building a 375g 96x32x28 with a focus on Small Polyp Stony corals, aka SPS.

 

[jfbhd4]

Ok,

Here is more detail

I am looking for a setup with as little maintenance as possible. If this means more expense up front, that is fine. Want quality stuff that wont break or leak, as i don't want a flood in my office.

I am going to have to house the equipment underneath.

I am open to a mix of soft/hard corals. Want it to be a "show tank"- whatever that means.

Looking to drop ~10k on the project. Unsure if i can do it for that @ 300 gallon, just ballparking.

Definitely going to go with starphire glass unless folks suggest otherwise. I have seen it in person and think it makes a big difference.

 

[hypnoj]

My recommendation is to get quotes from local fish stores. Make sure you have them include in the quote how much they'll charge to maintain it for you. I can tell you now, you won't want to have to maintain this yourself.

 

[jfbhd4]

I am sure I can get a quote on maintenance from a few local guys, but I really want someone who is not trying to sell me equipment with a big markup to advise on how to set up the tank.

If guy at the local shop only carries X brand, he is going to try to sell me on it, when it may not be the best quality/deal.

 

[hypnoj]

If they know they'll have to maintenance it, they'll make sure it's the right stuff. Just make sure it's a high-end store with nice looking stuff and good reviews, not a dumpy pet store. Honestly, setting up a good relationship with a local fish store (LFS) is paramount. They'll more than likely cut you the best deals, with the best package and work hard to keep you as a lifelong customer. We live in a world of competition and they'll work hard to keep you.
I'm a doctor and have no skin in this game, but I started piecing together my own tank for my office 10 years ago and really learned the hard way. I took advice from a dumpy pet store and most all my equipment was crap, but when I searched out and found the good stores, I realized that they didn't even carry crappy equipment, only good, time-tested stuff. I wish I would not have interjected my own opinions and research years ago and just let them do their own thing. They've done it loads of times and know what works and what doesn't.