Need advice from the big tank experts

[wegotcrabs]

Hey fellow reefers, I've been away for awhile due to my business and having a baby. I even thought about leaving the hobby for a while but since my 7 month old daughter loves the tank my wife gave the green light for an in the wall tank in the basement. I'm looking at Marineland deep dimension tank. 5' x 3'. 250 gallons. I would really like the big tanks experts to chime in with equipment selections, and if i should put an access panel in the front for maintenance or keep it closed, which I feel looks better. Does anyone have experience with BRS dry rock? Should I make a sump/ fug combo or two separate tanks. I have a large fish room with sink, so space isn't a problem.

 

[Psxerholic]

Interesting for me would be to know what the experts recommendation is on the pump selection.

Not just even the type and size....I would be interested in the quantity of main pumps, since I'm planning to use two pumps in case one will stop working due to calcification etc so the other one will continue working. I don't want to be in vacation and getting a call from the stupid dogsitter that the tank looks milky and stinks, lol.

 

[worm5406]

Be careful of brs dry rock... purchase it NOW and start curing it. Lacl it also, before ANY inhabitants to get rid of phosphates. The rock is perfect... just need to cure it first!

If you make them separate then make one drains into the other. Do not make it a pump driven system between the two. Let gravity not only help, but help with the dwell time and less issues with something getting clogged.

About a panel.. I am using a front access panel only because I do not have room behind mine. If you have the space make the wall around the tank continuous and will help prevent you from damaging it or dripping on it.

What is the space you have available and what are your plans?