Building Need help

[OceanDweller]

Before we break ground I am on the fence after having a reef tank for a # of years and then having to sell to move. I would prefer to have a large tank 200-300 72x30x30 with softie and a tunze wave box or something similar like vortechs, unless anything new comes out. I would really like to keep a couple of lareger tangs... that said

The other part of me wants to do a 24x24x30 and stick in a corner with a couple of wrasses and clowns, I would also be able to keep inverts and grow a couple of sps.

So SPS small meticulous maintenance or large tank large water changes etc. Cost is very comparable. I have been debating this the last couple of years and need some advice.

I live a busy lifestyle and have 3 kids if that helps, the house will be 3k SF w sump in laundry/fish room. Lighting will be led, T-5, and sola tubes or tube based.

 

[Indymann99]

I would go with what naturally works in the space you have... dont force a tank that is too big or small. Remember everything is a compromise, and keeping in mind your family situation is SMART.

+1 to do a laundry room sump and make chores like WC easy (with 3 kids that will keep you doing the necessary maint).

I would love to do a 4 side viewable cube of 48x48x24, or 24x24x24 would work if the space dictated.

my 0.02
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Basement52009.jpg

 

[OceanDweller]

Thank you for the picture, it is a good one. The main problems I am running into right now are not only tank size but if I do a large tank "will likely be in wall overlooking kitchen/kitchen dinning and will look into the laundry. I am just not super stoked about doing an inwall looking into the laundry. I was planning on making it viewable from 3 sides having the out side exposed then having the overflows in the corner hidden but viewable from the laundry.

Ideas on it are a 75 3 chamber sump, a drain that runs somewhere to a gravel area where it can soak into the ground. Stocking for a 200+ I am thinking AUtusk, bluethroat, Powder Blue, Desjardini, 2 clowns "maybe maroon if I can find a lucky pair" and maybe a snowflake or zebra moray.... maybe a psuedo or damsel possibly even a couple of jewel damsels. No cleanup crew what so ever. I really like the sway of soft corals and the non headache of constant worry.

I am leaning large tank but now I am scared $ wise lol with such a big build looming.

What would you pair a tunze wavebox with flow wise that would be adequate, you can't just run a tank off a wave box correct? I am shooting for a low wattage natural sunlit system.

 

[Bilk]

I live a busy lifestyle and have 3 kids

Wait until the children are grown and you're retired.

 

[OceanDweller]

I hope you don't mean wait until I am retired to build a tank. I am looking for something nice, we don't have any pets. Though a newborn 2 year old and 4 year old is enough lol...

Hence the insane planning. I need to say here and here is the $... line a large aquarium can get expensive quick. My last 120 cost nearly 5k total. I am thinking tank alone on this will be 2k another 2 in equipment.