need help on new supplies for a new tank 150 gal

[AIR-FX]

ok so i am going to upgrade from a 72 gal to a 150 gal. in the next 3-4 months so i want to start picking up new components week by week so i am ready. so far i have 3 koralias, 6bulb T5,moon LED's,and carbon/gfo(2 little fishes),ATO,Heaters.
I am going to build my own stand,canopy,and sump.
I know i will need a new pump,bigger skimmer, bigger sump,ro/di unit.
I have no idea what the proein skimmer i have is rated for,so im pretty sure i should just get a new one. i am going to boy a 40 breeder and do my own baffles for a sump with a refugium.

what size return pump will i need? i havent decided if im gonna do a sump in the basement or just do it under the tank. im guessing that will make a difference in what size pump i will need right?

anything else i may need that i am forgetting?

thanks for the help
i am actually nervous moving up to such a much bigger tank

 

[reefman5511]

Can't pick the pump until you decide where the sump is going. Pushing the water up from the basement will require a higher capacity pump.

 

[Reefermandan]

I have a 150XH and sump in basement. You are correct in the location of your sump, and the amount of piping, has a direct impact on the size of return pump needed. I went with a WaterBlaster HY-16000 return pump. This pump was an overkill for me at the time but now that I have piped in another return, for another tank, I am so glad I went big. The pump is powerful yet quiet and I have had no issues with it at all. For my skimmer I went with the Octopus 3000int which has also proved to be a great purchase.

Don't be nervous just research everything you can a head of time. This forum is wonderful for that. I moved up from a 29G and now have over 250G in total volume. Bigger is easier...after things are up and running. If I had to do it all over again I would have gone with a 300G+ for DT alone.

I am a techie so one of my favorite purchases was my Neptune Apex. I can't imagine having my current setup without it.

 

[SkiFletch]

Agree about the sump/pump decision. Use the calculators on the main site to determine what you'll need. You basically just supply desired flowrate. FWIW, most folks go with around 5 times their tank volume in flowrate. So for a 150, you'd be aiming for around 750gph. Some folks (like me) prefer a slower flowrate, others prefer it a little higher. I prefer a little slower since you waste the most electrical energy pumping water up heights, even if it's under the tank. You save more cash on better/larger powerheads in the display tank for flow over using a BIG return pump to make your flow.

 

[BuffaloReef]

If you don't mind the extra electric cost and humidity go with a basement sump. There are countless things you'll want to add and having more room is a great luxury. It'll be easier for maintenance like water changes and your equipment like your skimmer will not be limited by size. You'll easily be able to add a frag tank or refugium. The options truly become endless.

I'm curious why you feel you'll need a bigger RO/DI unit. Does it just barely make enough water for you now? Do you know the model of skimmer you're using now? If it's good but not adequate for that volume you could get another one. A lot of people run two skimmers on larger systems. It's nice because if one stops producing you quickly know it needs maintenance.

Good luck with the new tank! You should be more excited and less nervous. Bigger systems are generally easier to run once going like others have said.

 

[AIR-FX]

:celeb3::celeb3::beer:i was looking at 750gph....they arent expensive at all. i was suprised. as for ro/di? i have never owned one so i dont know what size to get. i have always bought my water at ARC but once i am in a house i will have a designated area for all this stuff andd i wouldlike to make my own salt and ro water.
First thing i have to do is buy a house....lol then look at the layout and make a plan. for now i am going to start making a stand and canopy,buy some of the basic plumbing. pick up a 40 breeder and set the baffles in,pick up a new heater,buy a pump. then put $ aside to save up and get a new skimmer and ro/di unit. hopefully by the time we move in i will be set and ready to set up the new tank

 

[SkiFletch]

Well remember, now that you've determined your desired flow rate, you have to add your approximate head pressure to that to determine what pump you'll get. They're bigger pumps than you'd think to run a basement sump with 10+ feet of head to still maintain 750gph

 

[block head]

Costs add up quick. Basement sump can make maintenance easier, more space,less noise. You're going to shell out more for big pumps that cost more to run monthly. Under the stand can work,and be more efficient.

 

[Jacwil]

Congrats Kevin on the new house, first!

Secondly, congrats on picking up Vic's 150! He had a great setup and it'll be cool watching it continue on with YOUR build.

I'm currently draining the fw out of our 150 after a leak test checked good and saltwater will be mixing soon! I'm not sure how many other members have this sized tank...I'm diggin' them!

 

[obicanobi0]

I have a 150xh as well =)