Switching to a much larger tank...need advice

Water changes can easily be handled with long hoses but you will never be able to automate that way. What about coming up from the floor below (i.e. basement)? Is that an option?

Dave.M
 
That's a great deal as long as there are no leaks or structural issues. Better know what your doing if you move this tank. Hire a aquarium service company who is insured. If you break it its on you. They break it its on them.
 
I really don't think water changes should be an issue with either the Litermeter or Dos pumps now. You could get Ace Roto Mold tanks that would fit under the stand and run the RODI tubing to your freshwater and NSW tank as well.
 
I have to be honest, I do very little Maintenance in my fowlr system, water changes every 2nd week, I pump 30 galons.out and 30 gallons.in, tend.to.mix the salt whilst I am.sleeping and do.the change at breakfast feeding, takes 20 mins I supose
 
unfortunately basement is not an option. it's going to be located at the front of the house where the living room is next to the entrance.

also rodi unit will be quite far from the tank in the garage. do you guys run long tubing from say the garage to where the tank is? or just lug the water to the tank?

yes i will be using a pro company to move the tank..$300 extra but well worth it...
 
Just get a Neptune Apex to control the tank.

Add a Neptune DoS to do the water changes. Few gallons a day.

Run a 50-70 pint dehumidifier near the tank.

We run dehumidifiers set to 50% near the frag and display tanks.

Empty out the display dehumidifier once a day. The frag tank every few days.

We actually get used to the noise of the dehumidifiers lol... but we turn them off if people come over.

Looks like a nice tank and good price. I bought a used 240 at around a grand...
 
Hey Josh,

I'm actually not sure about that.

You'd think it would pull a little bit more out, I'm honestly not sure lol

I don't really notice needing to fill up the RODI container more often.
 
I have no where near that large of a tank, but I have a 180 and had a 110 previously. I went from my 50 to the 180. I was used to the added equipment cost(one bigger skimmer, additional real estate of lighting, supplies), but, with this tank I have learned about water changes heavily..

The big thing with larger tanks is, that they really do run themselves with a few key points.. First, that large of a tank, your going to really "need"to run your ro/Di from the basement.. Simple task, just run the product line up through the floor to the holding container for your top off. And use a booster pump.. It's that simple. Iran 35 feet with my 110. You really, really don't want to have to lug buckets for top off..

Water changes should be similarly simple. Your basically going to be drilling a couple holes in the floor. Then running the tubing from your central location(ro/di, water changer, etc) to the tank.. It's honestly not complicated at all.. I drilled three 2" holes for the 110 and had plenty of space after setting things up.. Mine was in the living room also. I had the sump under the tank, but I still had the Di water system and mixed up my saltwater(by hand) in the basement.

Then I had a little pump to pump the new water up.. I had a valve on the out line(i kept it simple, but had planned on automating it later) for draining for water changes.. I turned the valve, filled the tank with old water, shut off the valve, turned on the pump, and pumped up the mixed saltwater. The more maintenance based things in one location the better.. At least for me at first..

But equipment wise, just be ready to spend up front, say for a skimmer, because the price jumps.. Things like that and two part, etc, need to be considered and taken into account.. This tank I spent double on my skimmer than the max I had ever spent on one. And I'm not complaining at all! Because a big tank is the way to go if you can! No doubt about that!

For me, the cost is worth it, in the different life that you can keep to completion.. But it's easier are the initial setup for sure with a bigger tank than a smaller one..

Just have all your ducks in a row before you put water in it..
 
Damon, thanks for your reply...unfortunately I don't have a basement. Moving to a new home... I don't know if I could some how run the line from the garage to the living room as they are building the home. it's being built but the company is not very open to changing things or adding holes etc to any of the work they are doing.

but you think the initial setup of a larger tank is easier than a smaller one?
 
That is a great looking tank and stand for a very reasonable price. I would have kept my 330 if it were glass and not acrylic. I hate acrylic.
 
Also look at using Matrix or siporax instead of Live rock in your some to save space for more equipment.
 
Yes it is a nice looking setup. I really like it. Just worried about water changes etc for such a large tank and not having access to sump area/room.

I was also looking into a new 150g 3 sided starphire with black stand/canopy for $1700 delivered. So around the same price after I pay for delivery with the 300g.
 
Obviously you need to buy both tank set-ups. Having the two systems will easily justify installing a much larger and more stable support system.

Dave.M
 
Damon, thanks for your reply...unfortunately I don't have a basement. Moving to a new home... I don't know if I could some how run the line from the garage to the living room as they are building the home. it's being built but the company is not very open to changing things or adding holes etc to any of the work they are doing.

but you think the initial setup of a larger tank is easier than a smaller one?
I think, with the exception of the physical "size", yes, for sure it's easier to me. It's just more stable and it "seems"like they progress faster(could just be my observation). But I actually had to move mine across the room(landlord request) at the three month mark. Completely teardown(with the exception of the sand not being removed, but it shifted), and I was terrified because the system just seemed to get in the groove and go. Well, broke it down, moved it, and it started right back up where it was.. That was three months ago and it's not missed a beat..

And I think I get what your saying. Your getting this tank before your new house is built, and going in the old house, which did not have a basement(until the new house is built)? And the new house that's being built, the builders don't want to deviate from their floor plan. And the house being built "does"have a basement..

It is understandable that they do not. So basically, drill the holes yourself.. Lol.. That is what I, and probably the vast majority do.. Problem solved.. Same with running to the garage(though I haven't done this myself, but tons of people do it).. But you are really, really going to need a central spot for your water duties.. Otherwise, it can be done, but it is going to be a massive pain on you..
 
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