Petes 270 project

petedoc

petedoc

Premium Member
I have finally begun assembly of my 270 gal reef tank. The tank was bought a year and a half ago and I have slowly been gathering parts. Today a good friend and his wife came over and we pulled out a picture window and moved in the beast of a stand and the tank. The stand is 36" high and would not fit through and doors or window. Fortunately my friend does windows for a living. Also my wife was gone for the afternoon and didn't have to suffer through the process. The tank is 6X3X2 feet. It has two built in overflow boxes. I am in the process of drilling the drains and return holes and need some advice! should I add bottom overflow openings? I plan to have high rates of flow and no sand, BB. I have a Barr Aquatics skimmer and lighting will be 250 MHX3 with actinic 96w PC X 8. Any thoughts out there or recommendations from you experienced reefer?
 
How about this question. Should the acrylic tank rest directly on plywood or should there be a layer of 1/2" foam sheathing between the tank and the plywood?
 
This is an acrylic tank with a center brace, if a Metal Halide 250w is directly over the brace how far away should it be to avoid damage and warping?
 
Ok, now I need some advice. The tank has been up and running for about 6 weeks now and the rock, snails, shrimp, crabs, corals and green chromies are in and doing fine. First this tank will be a sps dominated reef and I have a calcium reactor sitting in the garage. I have used kalk in 135 for the last four years and like the simplicity. Do I buy a kalkreactor and place it in line with the auto-top off or should I hook up the calcium reactor? Next question- I think I need to add an ozone generator, but not sure how important this is. What are the big system guys doing? Should I add an ozone generator, a UV sterilizer, or an aluminum foil decorative flamingo, or what? If you can answer these questions great, I really appreciate the help, or if you can refer me to another thread that provides the answers that would be great. I read the threads constantly but can't seem to find the answers to these little questions. Thanks, pete
 
I have found via my thread you need to be a popular guy for answers or suggestions, that being said I will input my 2 copper.

I don't use UV as I think it kills too many benifficials along with the bad stuff, people opions differ on this.


I Klak reactor wouldbe a nice addition and worth investment IMO, though you can get by with just a calcium reactor, I am not sure of your load.

I don't use Ozone either though I have been looking into it myself, others may answer this better.

I would keep the light 12" up over acrylic, what is the thickness?

Overflow size would depend on how much water you are pushing over the overflows.

Use 1/2" foam under the tank, deffinatly.

Bottom overflow opening are ok, but if you have sugar sized sand they can be a problem for sure. Most people don't use bottom as it does not skim the surface as much and they can become clogged or difficult to clean. I personaly would stay away from that.

I hope this helps some.
 
A photo before water
28936The_Tank4-med.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks much Mahlhovac! I did already figure out some of the questions and the MH lights are 12" above the tank, in Luminarc reflectors, the tank is a variant of bare bottom, it has travertine on the bottom, and there is 1/2" foam under the tank. The overflow are 1.5" and work great. The two tanks in the picture are sump and refugium. They are 50 and 65 gal respectively. What I am wondering is whether a kalkreactor would be enough or would I have to mess with the calcium reactor also..... I think I may have just answered my own question---yes to begin with, until calcium demands increase, beyond what a kalkreactor can supply. The ozone question is still unclear to me also. Seems like a great idea to plug one into my Barr Aquatic skimmer. My refugium provides pods and has a separate input into the return pump, so the good stuff won't get zapped.
 
There are plabktonic things smaller than pods that get zapped that are bennificial. Ozone just dosen't seem worth it through all my research just to help keep algae down (basically) and have a bit clearer water and I can control that with snails and good water care. But that is up to you.

Good luck and post some more pics when it is set up and through the process.
 
G'day petedoc,

looks like your going to have some fun. I dont know what your systems future needs are, or how deep your pockets are :p, but you can set your plumbing up to take a calcium reactor, if the need arises in the future.

Not all aqaurists use calcium reactors though. It will depend on the time you can spend on your tank as well. My current tank has no corals yet, so I maintain calcium through supplements. When I find a lighting set up that im happy with, ill then introduce corals, but I cant justify a calcium reactor. That said my tank is only 50 gallons.

If I were you, Id find a reactor that you like, find out the plumbing requirements, and incorporate it into your system ion a way that can bypass the reactor plumbing untill you can get one or need one.

Hope this helps, good luck. Ill be tagging along to see how your tank turns out.:D

Chris.
 
Thanks Chris. I have been reluctant to connect my Calcium Reactor, partly because I don't need it yet and because of the degree of added complexity. I believe in the mantra "Keep it simple, stupid!" I will elaborate on this theme later, but it seems to work for me.
 
:lol: nothing wrong with simple. I think less can go wrong, ive read a few threads were people are to dependant on technology. I like Iwan's new reef tank thread. He's hands on with supplementing calcium etc and his is one of the most beautiful tanks ive seen.

So what livestock are you keeping now, and planning in the future?. I reckon you have a great size tank for some aquascaping, cant wait to see some more pics :p
 
Simple is good. I will have to find Iwan's thread and read it. Vitors tank thread is also great, what a wonderful idea for an outdoor system. Right now I have just transferred some soft corals and a few sps from an old 65 gal tank and added a BTA. My main project has been "The Rock Arch" I am using some live rock from my other tanks and I purchase 100 lbs of dry rock from Marcorock to create my aquascape- Two mounds and an arch. It is only partially complete. The Marcorock is amazing stuff. The only fish are small school of Chromies and a pair of Dispar Anthias. I have a significant order pending, but the Chrysurus Angel hasn't come in yet. The order also contains a blue jaw trigger, Vlamingi Tang, and a golden rabbitfish. I want to fill out my school of Dispar Anthias, but they are picky eaters. Also, might try some pyrimid butterflys, if available. I buy most of my livestock via the internet, but will be making a trip to Spokane soon to see what is available at my favorite reef store, Aquatic Dreams. I took a few pictures this morning, but it takes me a while to resize and download them to this site.
 
Oh boy-o-boy I cant wait to see this tank up and running if you can get that list of fish :lol:

Heres a couple of links to Iwans tanks,

Iwans tank

And this is his new tank,

a new reef arises

These tanks are amazing, the first thread split, so theres a bit of reading, but its worth it.

Enjoy.

Chris.
 
Looks good.

I like the open look that you have achieved while still having rock piles for your corals. Shouldnt have any flow problems there. It looks like you have some good spots for the fish to hide as well.
 
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