Large tank setup advise

[Reefjunkee]

I am aquiring a 500 gallon reef ready tank in the near future and had a few ?`s for You guys.It is 73"long,53" front to back and 28" tall.1st-skimming...I have a euroreef8-3 with a ksp9000 and a etss 600 down draft.Will running both of these be sufficient for skimming this size tank.I will probably have a 120g sump and 40g fuge also.which would probably bring the tank volume to about 575 gallons with the rock,sand etc. 2nd-lighting-I plan on setting up the center length of the tank as the reef and leaving the rest of the tank open.Maybe 3-400 lbs of rock.Would 3 400w halides in luminarcs be suficient lighting?I plan on using 20k probably so I dont have to run actinics. 3rd flow-I plan on running the largest return pump a OM super squirt can handle and 2 Tunze 6100`s and 4 modded maxijets.The tunzes will be on a multicontroller.Later I plan on replacing the modded mj`s with 2 more tunzes. Well,that is all I can think of at the moment.Thanks for any input,Rick

 

[Reefjunkee]

Noone here has a big tank and can spare a little advise?????

 

[nyvp]

Re: Large tank setup advise

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10890116#post10890116 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by minireefer03
I am aquiring a 500 gallon reef ready tank in the near future and had a few ?`s for You guys.It is 73"long,53" front to back and 28" tall.1st-skimming...I have a euroreef8-3 with a ksp9000 and a etss 600 down draft.Will running both of these be sufficient for skimming this size tank.

>>> depending on your fish load I would think so.

I will probably have a 120g sump and 40g fuge also.which would probably bring the tank volume to about 575 gallons with the rock,sand etc. 2nd-lighting-I plan on setting up the center length of the tank as the reef and leaving the rest of the tank open.Maybe 3-400 lbs of rock.Would 3 400w halides in luminarcs be suficient lighting?

>>> I use 4 lumenarcs on a 120 they cover a 3 x3 area so the edge may be shady but i would try it and see if you like it.

I plan on using 20k probably so I dont have to run actinics.

>>> I use 20k radiums in pfo hqi ballasts also for same reason


3rd flow-I plan on running the largest return pump a OM super squirt can handle and 2 Tunze 6100`s and 4 modded maxijets.The tunzes will be on a multicontroller.Later I plan on replacing the modded mj`s with 2 more tunzes. Well,that is all I can think of at the moment.Thanks for any input,Rick

>>> sounds like your flow will be fine 4 6100 is 14k / 500 = 28x plus your return should bring you in the 30x turnover range which is a nice area to be in for mix as well as sps tank. I run 22x atm with a dart CL 2 6100's and a 4200 return on my 560/g

 

[FishTruck]

Hey. I am on the same quest. This comes from research so far... not from actual big tank experience...

The luminarcs will penetrate the 28 inches fine.

Each will cover a 2 foot by 2 foot to 3 by 3 ft. area. If you had three coral islands, each under a luminarch, this would be fine. Your aquascaping options will be awesome with 58 inches depth!

20k s don't often give the best PAR... so it would depend on where your coral heads are and what you are keeping. If the thing is packed with coral and live rock from front to back, you will probably need to have more lights.

You could certainly start with the three luminarcs. Just build your light rack to accomidate more lights later. These are full sized luminarcs right?

Ryan.

 

[Reefjunkee]

Thanks for the advise Guys.And Yes the luminarcs will be the full versions.I am supposed to get the tank this Sunday!!!!WhoooHoooo!!It`ll be a while before I get everything together for it.Probably 6 months or so at least.I am stating to wor on aquiring all the equipment ahead of time.Thanks again,Rick