Hi all, so I'm looking to put together a build somewhere between 375-500G, this would be the DT size. The size will be determined by what the wife allows me to spend on the tank 
- I plan to order the tank tomorrow so any input on the design below would be most appreciated.
The design is a high-level depiction, i.e. the sump layout will not be exactly as depicted but was used to show the components in it. Initially this will be a fish only tank with live rock but 'may' opt for some corals later on which is why I'm including a refugium from the start - if you feel a refugium is not necessary and I should go with a wet/dry style by all means let me know, but I will say the last wet/dry setup I had many years ago caused a big nitrate problem for me, coupled with the overall noise from the wet/dry and it was an unpleasant experience. Anyway, the setup will be a BA setup using the (3) 1.5" stand pipes with an internal coast to coast overflow - I show it as an external overflow because that was the initial thought but after thinking it over and from a furniture design perspective I'm going to do an internal coast to coast.
Although not depicted, there will be some powerheads for water movement unless there is a better way of doing it via a closed loop setup.
Would love to hear your thoughts, especially regarding:
1. wet/dry vs. berlin style sump
2. refugium or no refugium
3. one pump or two pumps for the return and what you feel the GPH should be
4. I will not be doing filter socks, instead I will be using the old school filter media instead but welcome any thoughts on this
5. thoughts on choice of skimmer - in speaking to Aquamaxx they recommended the CO-5 and CO-6 like another member here suggested but they also recommended the Q5, which is less expensive so I'm happier about that but wondering performance wise which will perform better?
6. I may do a nitrate reactor, not sure - any thoughts on this, are these needed/still used now a days? The tank will house some predator fish but nothing like sharks or anything big like that
7. although not included on here, I will either do a 10G or 20G reservoir for auto top offs since I will not have access to a water line where this is going
8. any thoughts on doing a series of close-loops off the bottom of the tank for circulation vs. using powerheads...any dangers on integrity given the weight of water volume if doing floor bulkheads...
9. been reading up on DSB's and I'm going to stick with a 1" sand bed to avoid any nitrate and other issues. I know some swear by a 4-6" bed but from my experience the ill effects are just too dangerous if not well maintained/cared for.
It's been 10 years for me so I'm sure I'm leaving something out. I don't plan on piping in a UV, too much unnecessary heat and I have no plans on putting in a chiller, with a UV it will almost be a guarantee I will have to.
I truly appreciate any input!
<a href="http://s856.photobucket.com/user/02tts/media/375%20Gallon.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i856.photobucket.com/albums/ab123/02tts/375%20Gallon.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 375 Gallon.jpg"/></a>
- I plan to order the tank tomorrow so any input on the design below would be most appreciated.The design is a high-level depiction, i.e. the sump layout will not be exactly as depicted but was used to show the components in it. Initially this will be a fish only tank with live rock but 'may' opt for some corals later on which is why I'm including a refugium from the start - if you feel a refugium is not necessary and I should go with a wet/dry style by all means let me know, but I will say the last wet/dry setup I had many years ago caused a big nitrate problem for me, coupled with the overall noise from the wet/dry and it was an unpleasant experience. Anyway, the setup will be a BA setup using the (3) 1.5" stand pipes with an internal coast to coast overflow - I show it as an external overflow because that was the initial thought but after thinking it over and from a furniture design perspective I'm going to do an internal coast to coast.
Although not depicted, there will be some powerheads for water movement unless there is a better way of doing it via a closed loop setup.
Would love to hear your thoughts, especially regarding:
1. wet/dry vs. berlin style sump
2. refugium or no refugium
3. one pump or two pumps for the return and what you feel the GPH should be
4. I will not be doing filter socks, instead I will be using the old school filter media instead but welcome any thoughts on this
5. thoughts on choice of skimmer - in speaking to Aquamaxx they recommended the CO-5 and CO-6 like another member here suggested but they also recommended the Q5, which is less expensive so I'm happier about that but wondering performance wise which will perform better?
6. I may do a nitrate reactor, not sure - any thoughts on this, are these needed/still used now a days? The tank will house some predator fish but nothing like sharks or anything big like that
7. although not included on here, I will either do a 10G or 20G reservoir for auto top offs since I will not have access to a water line where this is going
8. any thoughts on doing a series of close-loops off the bottom of the tank for circulation vs. using powerheads...any dangers on integrity given the weight of water volume if doing floor bulkheads...
9. been reading up on DSB's and I'm going to stick with a 1" sand bed to avoid any nitrate and other issues. I know some swear by a 4-6" bed but from my experience the ill effects are just too dangerous if not well maintained/cared for.
It's been 10 years for me so I'm sure I'm leaving something out. I don't plan on piping in a UV, too much unnecessary heat and I have no plans on putting in a chiller, with a UV it will almost be a guarantee I will have to.
I truly appreciate any input!
<a href="http://s856.photobucket.com/user/02tts/media/375%20Gallon.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i856.photobucket.com/albums/ab123/02tts/375%20Gallon.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 375 Gallon.jpg"/></a>
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