Mid-Life Crisis Upgrade ;)

[Tarazed]

I'm presently running a 120 gallon softie reef and had to have a Blue Face angel a few weeks ago. So now the hunt begins for a bigger home for the new fish. Since my 40th is a few weeks away and I've begun plotting, I'm going to call this my Mid-Life Crisis upgrade.

I built a mock 210 gallon tank out of 2x3 to see if I will fit down the stairs and into my basement. Its a real tight squeeze, but, it will make it and it looks like a 220 Perfecto should also make it, but, thats as big as it gets.

I've done a little homework on the two brands and it appears that the perfecto would have beveled edges (I confirmed via email after seeing a tank). However, it looks like the Perfecto only comes with the corner overflows and they appear to take up more tank space. My 120 is an AGA RR and I have been happy with the tank. Does anyone have any preference in RR 210 or 220 tanks. Perfecto or AGA?

I will also be temporarily using the 4' 6 bulb T5s I have and will probably stay with T5s for a while. I am considering using 2 40 gallon breeders as a sump/fuge, with 2 internal return pumps and a connecting piece of pipe between. I will have one of the sumps extend beyond the end of the tank to allow for taller protein skimmers and easier access. As of now I'm going to keep running a 180 Euroreef and could temporarily add a Remora Pro.

I have all the extra sand I'll need and will probably use the rock I have now ~130 pounds. I may seed some dead rock in my sump as time goes by. I want an open aquascape. I hate the wall of rock look. Plus the Blue Face likes caves.

Any thoughts?

 

[Nova101]

Get the tank you like and then add overflows yourself.

Look into something like glass holes overflows. If you are uncomfortable drilling, find someone local to drill.

 

[reefkeeper16]

also have you look at marinelands deep deminsion they have 200, 250, and 300 gallon with it being so wide you don't notice the corner overflows as much

 

[Tarazed]

I don't think I can fit their larger tanks down the stairs. Also, both I and the fish I like to keep prefer a 6' tank. A 6' 210 is about the minimum for a Blue Face angel and there is no way the 300 Marineland tank will fit. Never mind the expense. If the conditions were different I would LOVE that tank.

 

[RobH]

I don't think I can fit their larger tanks down the stairs. Also, both I and the fish I like to keep prefer a 6' tank. A 6' 210 is about the minimum for a Blue Face angel and there is no way the 300 Marineland tank will fit. Never mind the expense. If the conditions were different I would LOVE that tank.

Where there's a will, there's a way! :dance: I did a little "remodeling" (my girlfriend called it destroying the wall) to get my 300 into my basement...was a cheap and easy repair, but well worth it, to get closer to the tank of my dreams! Or course, you could always take the tank apart, and reassemble it in the basement...I was about to do that, until I saw my sledge hammer smiling at me.

 

[Crazy One]

I would go with a larger tank if possible, if you don't do it now you'll be kicking yourself later. Trust me if all it takes is a little drywall and some 2x4's and some paint I would do what it takes if it will make you happy down the road.
Plus you can add more of a choice of livestock if you want and the fish can get larger as well.

 

[Tarazed]

Nova 101- I think that's the ticket I've seen their web site before and the dart setup would probably be perfect. I was thinking of running it from the side of the tank instead of the back. I thought I could offset the sump to extend beyond the tank allowing larger protein skimmers. Having the overflows and returns on enter and exit at that end would provide easy access to all the plumbing. Any one see any disadvantages to placing the box on the side as opposed to the back?