New 183gal Tank questions

[rydr119]

I am in the process of setting up a new tank. I will be upgrading from my 65 to a 183 custom tank. I would like to do clams and mostly sps. My questions are: If I want to do a closed loop how may returns for it should I have (42x42x24 ). I don't want any powerheads in this tank if possible. I was thinking of 2, one in each front corner. My second question is bare bottom or sand bed? I know there is a heated debate on weather one is better then the other. I am planning on have lots of swimming space for my fish so I am thinking about 120 to 150 lbs of live rock for this tank. Any suggestions welcomed. I am new to the large reef tanks.
-Gina

 

[reef_enthusiast]

Hi Gina,

As to your question about barebottom or sand I would say depends on how much flow you are looking to do.

I have a 250 (72" x 30" x 30") and did not go the closed loop route. Instead I went with 2 Tunze Streams in conjunction to SeaSwirls. I did go with sand. One problem I dealt with was sand being blown all over the place from the Tunzes. So now, instead of an even layer of sand, I have 2 mounds towards the sides. My engineer goby and other sand sifting gobies don't seem to mind them

As you have stated, that there is debate as to which is better. I went with a thin layer of sand for aesthetic reasons but like I mentioned, with a lot of flow there will be sand blowing around.

Congrats and good luck...