new 300 gallon tank

[jascymcl]

I am fairly new to the hobby and would likke to know what you think. I have a 300 gal tank and have questions on some equipment. I have already purchased a SWC 250a1 cone skimmer
with the askoll pump, a tradewinds 1/2 hp compact chiller,and I am having build me a custom made sump. Can anyone help me these other doubts I have. The tank demensions are 79"x28"x31"
What lights can I use. How about build your aquarium custom lighting? What size calcium reactor. Thanks for any help

 

[icantremember]

You have A LOT of reading to do if you are new to the hobby and starting with a 300 gallon tank. Best of luck!

So many options - T5, MH, VHO's or LED lighting. Lighting is preference in addition to what type of inhabitants you are going to keep.

Calcium reactor - you could probably get away with a GEO 624. You don't need a reactor starting out unless you are going to load up your tank with a lot of SPS initially.

Read, read, read and take it slow. It's a expensive hobby!

 

[jascymcl]

I wrote that wrong, I have had a 28gallon nano, but never anything this big. Not to much know how on anything bigger need help or recomendations.Mostly lighting doubts. Thanks

 

[jascymcl]

I know it is expensive. Thats why I want to do it right the first time. I want to spent money on animals not on bad equipment.

 

[jascymcl]

any recomedations

 

[jjk_reef00]

lumenbright pendents
at 31" you might want 400 watts (I like radiums)
It all depends on what you are trying to keep in the tank.

 

[tpenn187]

what do you anticipate keeping, coral wise? imo i would go with 3 400 watt mh pendants, something like lumenbright reflectors, reeflux 12k single ended bulbs, coralvue or ice cap electronic ballasts. but i would be keeping alot of sps corals, so the high light would be needed. you may not need the high light. you can use any type of lighting, but with a tank with those dimensions, mh would probably be your best bet. t5 lighting can be very expensive to set up on a 6 foot tank, and the biggest bulbs they make are 5 foot. vho lighting is great for supplemental lighting, or to light tanks if you are only keeping softies, lps, and a limited sps selection.

 

[Kshack]

Agree on the Lumenbright for your size tank. The pendants have a finished look and come with glass to protect the reflector surface. Worth the extra. You will need three. Consider at least one 250W for some of the lower light things (chalice, acans, etc). I like Galaxy and Radium combination. I do not use any other light in addition. That keeps it simple (no extra ballasts, bulb changes, etc.)
I would check with the local club and look at other large tanks. Lots to learn about flow, drains (read noise), water change systems, sumps, etc. Try to get it right the first time.

 

[jascymcl]

Some sps ,mainly lps, some softies,what you think of the swc cone skimmer with askoll pump,do you think its good for my tank?If any suggestions on t-5s

 

[amore169]

Check out the Large Tanks threads, there's one in particular I think is GlassReef if I'm not mistaken, his build gives a lot of ideas also he has a ton of pics. Good luck.