Needing Idea's on a 250 60x36x27 Build

[Deceptive]

Hello,
This is the start of the build. I am placing an order for ''go ahead and get sick'' A Perfecto 60x36x27 Starphire 250G tank.

Okay here is where I need some help. I am wanting to keep costs down but at the same time buy high midrange to high quality equipment.

I have a reasonable budget ''Not HUGE'' But pretty fair for this type of build. The tank is costing me $1700 for starters and another $1000 to build my stand so if I can cut costs in nonessential area's to save a few bucks here and there that would be great as well.

I will be doing all this over a 3 month period from start to water ready due to the high costs on some of the equipment.

Please throw your advise my way as far as equipment is concerned. This will be set up as an SPS dominated tank. So throw some me idea's as to filtration lighting etc. All help would greatly appreciated.In the past I have not used Calcium or Phosphate Reactors so I am new to that part of the reef keeping so do I need them or are their other methods I can do? I plan on doing a normal 10 to 20% water change every 30 days as I've always done and would prefer to keep it that way.

 

[Nanook]

Congrats on what looks to be a fun project! Don't forget to get the "environment" right first or you will be facing problems with humidity, heat, noise, etc down the road. Where are you placing the tank? How do you plan to keep it cool? Are you going to do auto-topoff? How are you going to do water changes?

SPS-dominated on that size tank means that a calcium reactor is in your future Also, a fluidized reactor for running GFO and one for carbon or other medias is important in keeping water quality up to snuff.

Protein skimmer is the "big" purchase after the calcium reactor and should not be skimped on. Look at a large ETSS, or a middle of the road, over-sized needlewheel skimmer for keeping the water column clean.

Your 3 months might take a little longer if you are anything like me:lol: Mine only took five years on a budget

Main thing is build the area where the tank will be leaving no concern out of the picture. Take your time and do it "right" so you don't have regrets. Just a couple of thoughts from someone who just got done doing it "my way" with the help of several knowledgable friends.

 

[Deceptive]

The tank will be going into the front room of my home. The room is approx. 16x14. It will be set center againest a West wall with a 36inch window 7 feet from the tank on a south wall which is where the main entrance of my home is. I have plenty of shading of the window due to a front deck type porch that is covered but not enclosed. I do plan on doing an Auto Top off system. The sump and all plumbing will be ran into the basement directly below the tank to avoid any noise issues and if a freak accident happens such as a pump fails and my sump gets over flooded its an unfinished basement and the sump will be near a main drain so worst case senario I bring in a few fans and a mop Im going to do all my water changes through the main sump in the basement. Water will be mixed using a mag drive pump and $70 type 100g horse thrath you buy at any farming supply type store.
Most likely I may be using a Zero Edge Aquariums sump and an additional 75g standard all glass style tank for my refugium. ''If there are better ways to do it please do tell, I need all the help I can get. Flow, I've been looking into oceans motions 8 ways but if there is an easier way to add flow again Im all ears.

 

[Deceptive]

Okay here is question,

Is it possible to get too big of a skimmer?
I am very familiar with the ETSS Skimmers btw. I had an ETSS Evolution 500 which I wasnt a big fan of due to cleaning.I have looked at these skimmers so far,

Deltec AP851 and AP902
Bubble King Deluxe 250 Internal
Reeflo Orca 250
Elos Natural NS6000
Euro Reef CS8-RC and CS12-RC


Also I havent read much but have heard
through other hobbyists that the Cone skimmers
work quite well.

 

[Nanook]

I have a monster Giant Geo protein skimmer If I didn't have this skimmer, I would go with an ETSS 1500 for that tank. I am not a fan of paying over-inflated prices for bigname skimmers.

 

[Nanook]

http://www.superskimmer.com/ETSS_1500.htm

You could probably go down a size or two, but I wouldn't These skimmers take more juice to run, but they are unbeatable on performance.

 

[Deceptive]

Could I use a couple Coralife super skimmers? Kidding.

 

[Ed Reef]

Both Deltec and BK have a self cleaning head you can add on !!

 

[Deceptive]

I wasnt a fan of the $800+ price tag for the self cleaning head tho. Wife already thinks I am crazy enough When I told her I was spending $3500 a month for 3 months straight to do the new reef tank she thought I was nuts enough The odd and ends that I dont need right away I can get periodically every month or two after the tank is running sufficiently.