large tank equipment check

[flash&fire]

A month ago, I stumbled onto a 210 AGA reef ready tank for sale. The deal was so good I drove 4 hours just to pick up the tank. Leak test is good and now looking for review of planned equipment. Need to phase out the purchases because I havent found any trees that grow money....but I also would like to gain functionality as I build up.

Phase I

• Instant Ocean Reef Crystal
• Somewhere between 200-300lbs of dry rock
• Plumbing with sevaral gate valves, ball valves and flex/hard PVC from tank->sump->returnpump->tank
• Approx 75 gallon sump (or what i can find that fits under the custom stand)
• Probably external pump due to needed return volume match (Barricuda Gold?)
• unknown heater(s) pick, seems to be a lot of uncertanty for quality when dealing with large tanks.
• plumbing for actual return lines in tank (loc-line?) Haven't seen to many discussion about this part of a tank.

Phase II

• Octo XS 250, but depends on sump
• Tek T5, 36" x6 bulb - 1 to start with (must have hanging style light)
• Improved test equipment?

Phase III

• Tek T5, 36" x6 bulb (#2)
  all other items not fully worked out. Reactors, top off systems, maybe controller, probably upgraded RO/DI due to volume needed for evaporation.

Really appreciate any comments or lessons learned. I have plenty of time to get this set up, but have to be realistic with the funds.

Thanks!

 

[AcMonster]

do you have a RO/DI unit yet? With 300 gallons in your system it would get expensive to try to buy it at the store, as well as a logistical nightmare. You can start with less live rock (instead of lots of dry rock), 100#-150# and invest in the other areas of your system, like the skimmer first.
With heaters on a large tank, but more smaller heaters, so if one breaks it doesn't have the power to burn up your tank. I've had a heater go bad before, and without a controller to warn you, you don't want it killing everything.

As far as 'return volume match', the overflows are what match the return pump. They are rated to a specific capacity, and you run a return pump that is no larger to that capacity. Look up some information on your tank and the size plumbing you are using for more insight.

Best of luck! It's a fun and never ending hobby. Don't count on just 3 phases!

 

[TheFishTeen]

Huh? (x2) 36" T5 fixtures? Why not just a 72"?

 

[crooks]

Instead of two 36" teks or a 72" fixture get a 60" 8 bulb Ati fixture. The six inches on either end will get plenty of light and most people dont put coral on the glass anyway.

 

[flash&fire]

Thanks for the info AcMonster. Looking more info on specific equipment but i wasn't very clear about that. I do have plans for RO/DI when filling my 210 and found today the BRS has a build your own for ~200. that seems to be my current RO/DI candidate.

Building with dry rock seems to provide less chance on bringing the unwanted hitch hikers into a brand new setup plus provide more fun in watching the system develop/cycle though likely longer in cycle time.

This tank is an AGA210 (72x24x29) with dual overflows. i am currently estimating about 3000 GPH max (those calculations is a whole different thread!!).

Thinking I may change my light choice in order to try and reduce total power use. Been reading everything i can find about the Kessil A150W and the Ecoxotic Cannon Pendant certainly cost more, but lower electrical bill is a plus in NY. Certainly would appreciate an reviews or thoughts with these LED lights.

 

[flash&fire]

first part for the lighting choice is trying to reduce how much i spend at one time....no matter what, in this hobby there seems to be no final cost so spend as can be managed.

also thought have one unit hanging from the ceiling would be "in the way" during above tank maintenance. was planning to hang the lighting.

i never really considered the thought of a 60" as Crooks mentioned though i think my aquascape plan may need the edge coverage. planning a edge of reef view where one side will tier down to the other side over 3/4 length of the tank to basic "bottom". I think this will give the view of looking along the edge of a reef and also should provide shelving layers for any coral.