Protein Skimmers and Big tanks

[Willster]

So, the "build-a-reef" bug has bitten me.. I am "building" a 300 gallon reef and I was just wondering what people have used for tanks this big as far as protein skimmers. The actual tank build will not happen until it comes time to build the house (5 or so years) however, I like this planning ahead stuff so please, send me your input! Also, tell me if you prefer glass or acrylic, and why. I can still go either way!

Other things about the tank:

300 gallon(72x36x27h), dual corner overflows
4x 48 LED custom lighting systems
3x 12 LED actinic sup. systems
39x15x15h sump w/ external return (any specific brands here???)
55 gallon refugium
auto top off (thinking jbj?)


Not sure if I should run automatic dosing but if you think I should, what do you recommend? I've also added a room specifically designed for holding water, RO/DI units etc into the house, so water won't be a problem.


I know this is a lot, but I like to plan ahead, and I'd like to get it right on the first time I've never dealt with something this big, so any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks for the help!
:beer:

 

[FF Rainwater]

i have close to 400g and just bought a Reeflow Orca 250...haven't got it yet but will be sure to put up posts as to how it works on teh big tank

 

[dzfish17]

The poblem with offering advice on equipment is that by the time youre ready to do this all the listed equipment will be old and there may be a newer/better model available. Right now the Reef Octopus skimmers are pretty good for the money. I would look at the sro 5000 or xp 5000 for that system.

 

[Willster]

What do you think is better long term with glass and acrylic?

 

[Dustin1300]

Agreed with DZ that it's way to soon to give a skimmer recommendation. Maybe skimmers won't exist in our systems in 5 years?!

The glass/acrylic argument all comes down to several factors. Opinions vary and is a debatable topic. I'm going with acrylic for a 450 gallon tank (96X36X30) so I can move the thing! Building in a basement and limited access so glass was going to weigh way too much.

Glass scratches and so does acrylic. Acrylic scratches easier but is easier to polish out and can be done wet. Glass is harder to scratch but also much harder/impossible to take out scratches. Longevity I think acrylic wins because if built properly, the seems are melted together. Silicone has a life and will breakdown eventually. Clarity between Starphire and a nice built acrylic tank is hard to compare but the Starphire likely comes ahead.

Pricing is very similar between the two. If I was going glass I'd go A.G.E. and if acrylic I'd go with Midwest or A.G.E. (Still undecided on which manufacturer I'll choose)

 

[dzfish17]

What do you think is better long term with glass and acrylic?

For the reasons listed by Dustin I went with acrylic. My tank is very tall and a glass tank of this height would have been way to heavy. I also needed to drill a couple of holes for a closed loop and am not comfortable drilling glass. If I were going with a tank in that size I would go with glass... Ive already put a couple of nice scratches in my tank. Bottom line is, go with glass if you can get it into place easily and dont mind drilling it or can have it drilled by the manufacturer.

 

[reefernutz]

One thing that I would recommend is to have dual skimmers. I know of a few people with large tanks and the biggest complaint is having to take the skimmer down for maintenence or if something goes wrong. Dual skimmers allow for you to take one down and give it a good cleaning, yet still have a skimmer going on your tank. JMHO.

I would agree that things may change in the future so you want to pose this question when you are ready to set the tank up.

As to the glass vs acrylic.......I would personally choose glass. As stated above it is much harder to scratch and the starfire is amazing. If you do choose to go with acrylic, I would definately take a look at a tank built by the vendor you're looking at. I've seen some pretty crappy acrylic tanks out there.....glass too for that matter.

 

[mhowe9]

I prefer glass to acrylic since it more difficult to scratch. I do like the lighter weight aspect of acrylic but too afraid to scratch it.

 

[125G Reefer]

I prefer glass to acrylic since it more difficult to scratch. I do like the lighter weight aspect of acrylic but too afraid to scratch it.

^^ +1. Get a 300 gallon Acrylic tank, and after 10 years, tell me if you like that fact you have to dismantle it and buff out the scratches.

 

[Willster]

The tank, if glass, comes pre-drilled, so I think I am going with the glass, since once there, it wont be moved unless there's an emergency ^__^

One thing that I would recommend is to have dual skimmers. I know of a few people with large tanks and the biggest complaint is having to take the skimmer down for maintenence or if something goes wrong. Dual skimmers allow for you to take one down and give it a good cleaning, yet still have a skimmer going on your tank. JMHO.

So, what you're saying is when it comes to skimmers, go with two rated for roughly 200 gallon tanks each, rather than one for the tank?

If it helps, this is the tank in question:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+23730&pcatid=23730

 

[125G Reefer]

Or one skimmer rated for a 500 gallon tank. I don't like th eduel idea, especially if your using a sump.

 

[Willster]

Or one skimmer rated for a 500 gallon tank. I don't like the duel idea, especially if your using a sump.

It makes a lot of sense to me actually. If one fails it's better to have a tank run with one smaller one than none at all. Sump room isn't an issue since nothing is set in stone I could always go bigger with the sump.


What about one in sump skimmer and one external? That would even make room too if that ended up being a problem.

 

[reefernutz]

It makes a lot of sense to me actually. If one fails it's better to have a tank run with one smaller one than none at all. Sump room isn't an issue since nothing is set in stone I could always go bigger with the sump.


What about one in sump skimmer and one external? That would even make room too if that ended up being a problem.

That's what I would do. Have a gravity feed to an external skimmer and another running in the sump. I've read nightmare posts about people having to send pumps back or waiting for a part and their tank is skimmerless.

Again, that's just what I would do. It all comes down to personal preference.

 

[Reef-o-Roni]

Im running the 5000xp with good results on my 325

 

[Bretts05jeep]

Or one skimmer rated for a 500 gallon tank. I don't like th eduel idea, especially if your using a sump.

I agree if you had to clean it, replace any parts ,or even get a new one it should only take a couple of days or a week tops. Skimmers have not been around for all that long so your tank would be fine for that short of a time frame.

 

[jcmelski]

I would get a kick butt skimmer when you are ready for the tank and then pick up a good skimmer used or a smaller sized skimmer when u can. I had an issue with my skimmer and had to send back the pump. I was without a skimmer for about a week and a half. Now I have my main skimmer and a back up one that I can use if my main one goes out. Also if u decide to slam your tanks bio-load you have the extra skimmer.

 

[Vlado4x4]

I have a 260g mixed reef, and have a Deltec TC-2560 with self cleanning head. This beast is reated up to 530G

 

[nuccadoc]

I just bought the Aquamedic Turbofloater 5000 for my 400. Probably one of the most efficient skimmers on the market. Downside.....it's 48" tall so you obviously can't put it under a tank.

http://www.aquacave.com/TurboFlotor-5000-Baby-Protein-Skimmer-by-AquaMedic-P1002C616.aspx

 

[coolkidtr]

I actually run two skimmers on my 400 gallon display tank. I have two 90 gallon sumps. One dumps into the other. Actually, my clownfish breeding tanks and frag tank (total 140 gallons) dump into into one sump and that sump dumps into the second sump(where the display tank dumps into). I used to run a pm Beckett in one sump and an swc 250a cone in the other. I just recently replaced the pm Beckett with an swc 300 cone to save energy. The recirculation between the two sumps works flawlessly. Both skimmers produce sludge.

T

 

[Willster]

Any ideas/luck on dosers? Or anything that I should expect to run into with a tank this size? Also my brother has a working 120 gallon I can use for sump/fuge. Is this overkill?