jeremyjoslin
New member
Why does it seem like everything changes when you go to a "big" tank? I've been in the hobby for almost 6 years, and I'm finding I'm pretty naive when it comes to a lot of this stuff. The back story on this build is that I had a breakout of marine ich about 5 months ago and half my livestock died. I gave away the other half to good homes to be nursed to health so my rock could "lie fallow" for 72 days (done). I've kept my 100 gallon (+40g long) in the basement circulating live rock, an anemone, and a few inverts. The recent flooding put 3 feet of water in my basement, killing off my large Iwaki, but keeping my LR culture untouched. We're moving in 2 weeks.
My plan for the new house is a 300g deep dimension mixed reef tank in the living room, a FOWLR predator tank in my office, and an invert/anemone tank in the basement next to the large sump/refugium. Here are some of my thoughts, and what I'm in the market to buy used. I'd love feedback on any point of information below:
1.) 300DD. I'd go with stock Marineland, but want to customize my overflow to allow for a beanie/herbie or such (1 full siphon, 1 slow overflow, 1 emergency siphon). I also want to do a custom stand- I couldn't sleep at night knowing that beast is sitting on 1x4 pine.
2.) Basement sump. Utilizing 100g rubbermaid stock tank. Doing this for 2 years so no big difference.
3.) Return pump. ANy suggestions? Will need to push up 12 ft of vertical head, plus run a manifold that supplies 2 other tanks, and runs skimmer. My Iwaki 70RLT seemed to do this with room to spare. Since that pump is toast, I need a new one (WTB). I'm starting to wonder if I should run 2 pumps (one to DT, and the other to work the other lines). I need suggestions on best pumps for this job. I recognize brands, but don't have much experience with any but the Iwaki.
4.) Skimmer. Have a Bermuda 5 which might start to run short when I tally up 600g+ system.... and I just bought it too ;(
5.) Lighting. Been seriously considering the AI Sol LED units. 6 blue modules is going to cost me enough to bring tears to my eyes, but I can't come up with a configuration where 4 modules will give the right spread... or can it be done with 70 degree optics arranged like | | | | along the 6ft length? Or is there another brand that people are flocking to that is a better consideration?
6.) Mixed reef. Livestock list will be a separate thread.
7.) water flow. I don't want to do a CL system. Thinking some Ecotech's (MP40 or MP60) and a properly designed return manifold should be enough to keep me away from what seems like another way to lose sleep every night (maintaining a CL system with extra holes in your tank everywhere).
8.) stand and canopy. Will probably need to build (translated as "need to hire someone to build for me").
What did I miss and what else do I need to think about????
My plan for the new house is a 300g deep dimension mixed reef tank in the living room, a FOWLR predator tank in my office, and an invert/anemone tank in the basement next to the large sump/refugium. Here are some of my thoughts, and what I'm in the market to buy used. I'd love feedback on any point of information below:
1.) 300DD. I'd go with stock Marineland, but want to customize my overflow to allow for a beanie/herbie or such (1 full siphon, 1 slow overflow, 1 emergency siphon). I also want to do a custom stand- I couldn't sleep at night knowing that beast is sitting on 1x4 pine.
2.) Basement sump. Utilizing 100g rubbermaid stock tank. Doing this for 2 years so no big difference.
3.) Return pump. ANy suggestions? Will need to push up 12 ft of vertical head, plus run a manifold that supplies 2 other tanks, and runs skimmer. My Iwaki 70RLT seemed to do this with room to spare. Since that pump is toast, I need a new one (WTB). I'm starting to wonder if I should run 2 pumps (one to DT, and the other to work the other lines). I need suggestions on best pumps for this job. I recognize brands, but don't have much experience with any but the Iwaki.
4.) Skimmer. Have a Bermuda 5 which might start to run short when I tally up 600g+ system.... and I just bought it too ;(
5.) Lighting. Been seriously considering the AI Sol LED units. 6 blue modules is going to cost me enough to bring tears to my eyes, but I can't come up with a configuration where 4 modules will give the right spread... or can it be done with 70 degree optics arranged like | | | | along the 6ft length? Or is there another brand that people are flocking to that is a better consideration?
6.) Mixed reef. Livestock list will be a separate thread.
7.) water flow. I don't want to do a CL system. Thinking some Ecotech's (MP40 or MP60) and a properly designed return manifold should be enough to keep me away from what seems like another way to lose sleep every night (maintaining a CL system with extra holes in your tank everywhere).
8.) stand and canopy. Will probably need to build (translated as "need to hire someone to build for me").
What did I miss and what else do I need to think about????
..
