looking to build a large tank, help appreciated

[codydemmel4]

Hello everyone!

I am not looking to spend a ton of money but I also will not go cheap, any suggestions on equipment would be greatly greatly appreciate.

So right now I have a 55 gallon tank in my apartment but I am moving where I can have a larger tank. I am either looking for a 180 gallon tank (6 feet long) or a larger tank that is 7-8 feet long. I will make sure that i get this tank reef ready, I really do not have a preference on where the overflows are. do you guys have any suggestions?

For equipment:
I was thinking of getting the new reef breeders light, do you guys have any other suggestions?
I am not sure on what size pump I will need, any suggestions on what is needed. I am looking to not spend a ton of money so any suggestions would be appreciated.
For the flow, I am thinking a maxspect gyro on each side, I think that will be enough flow.
I am thinking about having a 55-75 gallon sump with a big refugium, mostly of cheato.
Skimmer, I was thinking about going reef octopus in sump, what do you guys suggest?
Dosing, I already have a dosing pump so I am good on that aspect.



I am going to go SPS heavy most likely with tangs and a couple small fish. If I have a 180 gallon tank, how many tangs could I have? I am looking to have a yellow tang, powder blue tang, salifin tang and also a bristletooth tang. I hope these arnt too much, what do you guys think? I would get them all as small sized.

I greatly appreciate any insights and opinions on the build.

 

[codydemmel4]

Actually for lighting:

After looking through multiple threads on SPS, I have noticed one thing in common. They all use T5 for their lighting so I am going to try to use T5 for my lighting. I would greatly, greatly appreciate any help in that aspect.

 

[dave.m]

It's all about water depth, not how long the tank is. The deeper your tank, the more power you need in the bluer end of the spectrum in order to meet SPS' needs. You haven't specified any information on the actual full tank dimensions you are planning so it is difficult for people to give you more specific recommendations. Perhaps you should do some more research and finalize your plans a bit more so people can comment intelligently on them.

Dave.M

 

[codydemmel4]

It's all about water depth, not how long the tank is. The deeper your tank, the more power you need in the bluer end of the spectrum in order to meet SPS' needs. You haven't specified any information on the actual full tank dimensions you are planning so it is difficult for people to give you more specific recommendations. Perhaps you should do some more research and finalize your plans a bit more so people can comment intelligently on them.

Dave.M

I was trying to decide what tank I am going to get.

However I just had a good friend tell me I could buy his 180 gallon when I move because he is getting out of the hobby. His 180 gallon has dual overflows so that is what i will be working with.

180 gallon with dual overflows, the dimensions are 72 x 25 x 25.

I also really like the blue look of lights so I am hoping to go more into that aspect