please advise on 400+ gal acrylic tank specs?

[geaux xman]

First off, this will be my 1st acrylic tank and this will be FOWLR. I am needing help with tank dimensions, overflows, and skimmer. I would like to do this right the first time since after not even a year, I'm now wishing I had gone much bigger than my currently 60x30x23'.

I am considering 96x36x30". I'm flexible with 84-96" long, 30-36" deep(front to back), 27-30" tall. Should I just do max 96x36x30'?

Overflows - This will be against the wall in the den, so I'm looking at dual internal overflows against the back of the tank. 2-1.5" drain, 2-1.0" returns". 75-125g sump.

Skimmer - SRO-5000int or SRO-6000SSSint, I would like to try and keep this under $700.

Powerheads - 4 Koralia Magnum 8 (3250gph/each).

Lights - I have a few metal halides that i can use.

I really dont know how much the tank will run yet. I'm trying to get the specs down before I ask for a quote.

I'd like to try and keep this under $7000 not including livestock.

$4500 tank (would it be much more for an Envision Acrylic tank?)
$700 skimmer
$400 powerheads
$250 water blaster HY-10000 return pump.
$800 used 75-125g sump+plumbing+stand(self-built)
$200 ATO

Any pointers?

thanks,
-mike

 

[trickedout900]

My tank is 96 x 29.5 x 29.5. I love the eight foot length and 29.5in depth is great for rockwork. 36" depth would be nice but without a way to reach in from the back of the tank it will be difficult to reach all the to the bottom of the back so keep that in mind. I would go with the 30" height.

Good luck