500 Gallon Tall.

[nfored]

So I have never even had a 10 gallon salt tank, I have a 220 fresh, so I am comfortable doing diy and plumbing.

I got a 500 gallon tank 84x30x48 and I am thinking Fish only setup, since i am a noob.

In my mind I see a complex cave setup in the bottom 2' and then open space in the top 2'. I would see one type of smaller fish in the caves and some larger that hang out up top.

I know people use canisters on salt but then how do you hook up the skimer? For a larger tank like this do they have a closed loop filter setup like sand filters?

 

[djze]

are you going to be using live rock i would stay away from canisters since your going big you might as well go all the way and do it right it aint that much work to do a sump to house the equipment and skimmer just look for a used 125 or bigger and put in your own baffles and as you learn more each day you can do added changes to your system but at least make sure your at a good start good luck with your build

 

[dzfish17]

There is no one right way. Im using 2 fluval FX5s that I had when my 600g was FW. I will be using about 500 lbs. of LR for filtration so the canisters will be for flow only. I could also use them for carbon if needed.

My skimmer (sro xp5000ext) will be set up next to the tank. I use a closed loop (reeflo dart) for the lower portions of the tank.

The keys to success for me are simple... lots of LR, good skimming, good flow, water changes and lightly stocking.

 

[Reefnut2010]

With a system that big and going Fish only, I would definitely do a large sump with fuge. I would add a huge skimmer and bio pellets. All this will aid in nitrate removal in the long run. Fish only tanks are known to be nitrate factories !!

 

[nfored]

Is there any such thing as a skimmer for closed loop setup so that I can filter through maybe a sand and then the skimmer just for that extra clarity? It will be a while since this will be a room divider on the first floor. It will have to be braced.

I think i can get three 1.5" bulk heads, I can run one return down through the top, this way I can have one loop for filtration and one for circulation down low. I would then get some power heads for upper circulation. I could do a sump in the basement and use something like a Reeflo hammerhead.

How much of a water change and how often with this type of setup? How much, how often? Can salt be injected with some type of dosing pump to incoming water for automated water change? like a drip system.