i see the light..... or do i?

[wireefman]

for the past 3 months ive been seriously considering an nps tank.. there were times i was so gungho on it that im really suprised i didnt "slap" together a system and plunge right in... whenever i had thoes thoughts id run over here read the build threads and my bubble would be shattered.. *in a good way*, ive kept stick tanks, ive kept lps tanks, softy tanks, and combinations of all 3... while i like what each brings to the table, there is no doubt in my mind... NPS systems are the most interesting, most stunning systems out there... and i have to have one.. so on to the details of what it is i plan on bringing to the table...

tank- marineland 150 gallon deep dimension 36x36x27

flow- closed loop reeflow dart 3600 gph run on ocean motions 4 way
vortech mp 40/ or possibly 2 mp 20s not totally sure sugestions and thoughts?

lights- 2 evil par 38s 20k

skimmer- this is where im getting stuck... ideally a bk 250 possibly a 300 however, in another build i am doing a bk 400 and honestly i dont want to have 8k tied up in skimmers ( im not trying to go cheap here, maybe economical is the right word... so heres what im looking at)

1- Reef Octopus Extreme 350 in Sump Protein Skimmer
pros- cost effective, in sump skimmer, decent skimmer middle of the road
cons- ive owned reef octos and i hate the fact id have to dial it in every day to every other day..

2- Bubble Magus BM-220-CS Cone Protein Skimmer
pros- in sump skimmer/ there smaller skimmers may be just the best value on the market/ after this i really dont know
cons- i know nothing of this company or skimmer, and from what ive heard the larger skimmers are junk..

3- Deltec External Protein Skimmer APF600
pros- its a deltec, one of the best on the market imo
cons- id really like to stay under $800/ its external use/ ive never used a deltec/ if im going to spend 1000 for skimmer i may as well spend 1600 for the bk

4- Bubble King Supermarin 250
pros- its a bk, best on the market/ in sump application/ will do everything needed and them some
cons- $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

so there u have my skimmer ideas, please share any and all thoughts as all help will be greatly appreciated

sump- 40b not much else to say here

additional filtration

bio pellets/ brs reactor - seem to be getting good reviews on a couple of the builds here, may not be utilised right away, but something that can be added to the system if needed


dosing pumps- Bubble Magus Dosing Pump BM-T01, quality piece of equipment capable of everything id need

controller- ReefKeeper Elite V2 - Digital Aquatics


and of course the mini fridge....

im not going to get into stock lists quite yet, as im still in the planning stages of this tank please share any and all thoughts and concerns, i want this tank to be set up right the first time, and i will be taking this build very slow... so keep on keeping on, keep pumping out the information as it is learned so i can absorb it.. thanks again for taking the time to read this, and thank you for all the info you have already shared as well as any info yet to come.. your tanks are my inspiration and i hope to one day be able to look at mine with as much pleasure and get as much enjoyment as you all get from yours

 

[SWINGRRRR]

Have you looked at the XP3000 cones? I think that would hold up pretty well.
Also, I not a fan of closed loops, but I would ditch the OM 4way. You want full on flow, all the time. The randomness will come when the flows intersect and react. With the 4 way, depending on what drum, you are cutting the flow down. On a tank that big, and with what we need in flow, Id be looking at 2 X MP60's. But then again, I am a fan of having huge amounts of flow.

Again, Im not expert, just my opinion.

 

[E.intheC]

Sounds like quite the extensive build. The only 2cents I'm going to throw in... I have an Octo SRO1000int and it's great. I don't feel like it needs daily adjustment. To the contrary, I've flu d that once you find the sweet spot, leave it alone and the Octo performs beautifully.

 

[wireefman]

Have you looked at the XP3000 cones? I think that would hold up pretty well.
Also, I not a fan of closed loops, but I would ditch the OM 4way. You want full on flow, all the time. The randomness will come when the flows intersect and react. With the 4 way, depending on what drum, you are cutting the flow down. On a tank that big, and with what we need in flow, Id be looking at 2 X MP60's. But then again, I am a fan of having huge amounts of flow.

Again, Im not expert, just my opinion.

thx for your input!!! this is why i posted.. just going to get some clarification on your recpmendation, ditch the closed loop all together and go with 2 mp60's??? my main reason for the om was to get some randomness so there would be any lower flow areas.... i suppose 2 mp60's throwing 7k turnover is another way.... i do love the vortechs and actually really like the idea of 2 mp60's......

Sounds like quite the extensive build. The only 2cents I'm going to throw in... I have an Octo SRO1000int and it's great. I don't feel like it needs daily adjustment. To the contrary, I've flu d that once you find the sweet spot, leave it alone and the Octo performs beautifully.

i dont think its anymore extensive, just larger scale.. in over all gallonage... i googled that skimmer you recomended and saw some favorable reviews... and the price is much nicer... i have to ask, how long did it take you to dial your reefocto in.... also are you using that cheap sicci pump or th bubble blaster

 

[SWINGRRRR]

Id say the 2 MP60's and thats it. You will get randomness with them. They have built in wavemakers, but Im sure you already knew that.
I also used a Octo XP2000 cone. Great skimmer. I am going to try my replacement SWC, but if it cant keep up, Im going back to the Octo.

 

[E.intheC]

The SRO 1000int uses the Bubble Blaster. Its a very good pump, IMO. I've never used a Red Dragon to compare it to though. As for dialing it in... It took a few days but I also messed with it more than I really should have.

 

[wireefman]

so im going to go a different route with the skimmer

Vertex Alpha 200 Protein Skimmer - little larger footprint then the bk, but from what ive heard from users the build quality is just as nice - and it comes with the red dragon pump...

 

[Acronic]

im running an OCTO xp3000int on a 150 and love it, the vertex was my second choice. Im also running a closed loop with hammerhead pump and an MP40w and also love it.