Thefishwrangler's 220g Build

[Thefishwrangler]

Tank: Marineland 220 gallon. Purchased used on craigslist. Manufactured in 2009.
Stand: Generic oak colored wooden stand. Looking at purchasing a steel stand or a t-5 aluminum for longer lasting durability.
Overflow/Plumbing: Reefsavvy 20" Ghost Overflow. Plumbing is going to be beananimal from the overflow to the sump
Sump: Used 55 gallon aquarium. Looking to hold filter socks, an internal skimmer, biopellet, carbon, gfo, and possibly calcium reactors, a return pump, and a refugium if space allows. If anyone has any layouts for how I could fit this I am open to suggestions.
Lighting: 3 Kessil A360WE. I am curious to if this would be enough to support corals later on in the tanks life?
Controller: Apex Neptune Gold system
Salt: Red Sea Coral Pro Salt Mix

I am open to any and all suggestions going forward with the tank. I am fairly new to this wonderful hobby saltwater wise, so I have lots of questions I hope to get answered from this expansive community.

This build will not be too fast going as I am purchasing equipment and materials as I can afford them.

 

[Thefishwrangler]

This is the tank. It is 72" x 24" x 30"
The black inside is 2' x 2' egg crate that will be beneath the sand and rock.

 

[Thefishwrangler]

This is the reefsaavy 20" Ghost Overflow box. It is rated at 2500 gph. The packaging it arrived in was incredible.

 

[Thefishwrangler]

So I guess the main questions I have for my build are such:

1. If I buy a return pump that is rated 2500 gph and the overflow box is rated at 2500 gph will the pump suffice with the head loss from beneath the tank in the sump to the top of the tank when it returns?

2. Does anyone have any suggestions or a layout for how to build a 55 gallon tank into a sump? I would like to fit at least two filter socks, a skimmer (Reef Octopus 8" Regal 200SSS Space Saving Protein Skimmer), a biopellet reactor, a carbon and gfo reactor, a calcium reactor possibly, a refugium, and the return pump all into it. It is 48" x 13" x 21".

3. Would 3 Kessil A360WE lights be enough for the tank to flourish? With the strong possibility to grow corals in the future?

 

[Thefishwrangler]

Stocklist/Wishlist:
1 Desjardini Tang (Zebrasoma desjardini)
1 Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
1 Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles)
1 Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
3 Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
2 Morish Idols (Zanclus cornutus)
1 Marine Betta (Calloplesiops altivelis)
2 Dusky Wrasse (Halichoeres annularis)
2 Goldflake Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus)
2 Kaudern's Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
1 Longspine Urchin (Diadema setosum)
1 Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula)
1 Lemon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon miliaris)

 

[Mr. Comer]

Congrats on the tank. I've just started my build on my 220g. I've ordered most of the dry goods and have it mostly planned out. I've been reefing for a long time and finally get a "big boy" tank. You will get a ton of advice but I'll tell you what I would recommend after talking to people way smarter than me..

1. I'm also going with 3 Kessil a360we but adding a 4x60" retro kit. This will not be a SPS tank so I won't need a ton of lighting but I'll have it in case I change my mind.

2. The 55g sump will be packed with all of what you want to put in it and won't have room for a significantly sized fuge. I plan on a 40g breeder with a 29 or 40g fuge. Unless I can find a smoking deal on a larger sump. Remember you should have enough sump volume to handle your DT water volume when the power goes out even with a y valve.

3. I'm not a huge fan of high turnover rates via return pump (noise, skimmer efficiency, ect.) I'm going with a Jabeo dc12000 and will throttle it way back plus have it run the refugium. I'm aiming at 1200gph via return pump including head loss (5 ft. up, 4-90's, and line lock)

Hope this helps a little.

 

[ace_92101]

That's a lot of Tangs! If you're going to go with Idol, I'd go with one. And with that many Tangs, it's probably going to get bullied. Good luck!

 

[ghellin]

That's a big list of fish. i see an issue with the 2 Acanthurus tangs as those two specifically are known to be quite aggressive. I have a local friend that has them both in his tank and its a constant battle for dominance. What are you plans for QT?

 

[Thefishwrangler]

So with the rumors of the new Kessil ap700 being released before MACNA this year I think I will hold off until then on purchasing the lighting. I could do 2 of those hopefully for my entire tank since one 700 is equal to two 360s.

I also am excited to hopefully get the new Ecotech Vectra L1 as my return pump. Its rated at 3100 gph which is more than I would need and its a fairly reasonable price.

Might order a custom sump from Synergy Reef to be able to fit all I have been planning on placing in the sump.

A whole lot of speculations going around in my head right now with all the new equipment coming out!

To avoid the quarreling for dominance in the tank I have decided against the Powder Blue Tang. As the tank ages I think A pair of mated Mandarin gobies would be nice to have. I also think a couple goatfish would help to keep the sand clean.

A question I have for keeping corals is if I need a Calcium Reactor to have them flourish to their maximum.

 

[dave.m]

For the mandarin gobies, it is recommended to have two females to one male. Assuming your system will constantly produce sufficient pods to feed them all, a male mandarin can be too demanding on just one female. Two females are better.

A calcium reactor is IMHO a better way to go if you are going to have a lot of hard corals and clams.

Dave.M

 

[Thefishwrangler]

My plans for QT are three 40 gallon breeders, two for fish and one for coral. Ive also decided that another 40 gallon could be used as a refugium and that would allow for more space in the sump for reactors and such.

Does anyone have any suggestions for glueing rock together? Ive looked at Coralline Purple - Oceans Wonders Reef Epoxy but Im not sure how much I would need for 200 lbs of rock.

 

[Thefishwrangler]

Played around with the aquascape today

 

[nuxx]

7 Tangs and 2 Idols is way too many for your tank.

I'd say pick 3-4 you must have.

I have 4 (Black, Yellow, Chevron and YB Blue) in a 10' 470 and they are doing well. I'm even concerned about adding the other 4 I want down the line...

 

[Thefishwrangler]

Updated Stocklist/Wishlist:

1 Desjardini Tang (Zebrasoma desjardini)
1 Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
1 Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles)
1 Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
1 Marine Betta (Calloplesiops altivelis)
2-3 Dusky Wrasse (Halichoeres annularis)
2 Goldflake Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus)
2 Gold Nugget Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus)
2 Kaudern's Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
1 Longspine Urchin (Diadema setosum)
1 Lemon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon miliaris)
2 Bicolor Goatfish (Parupeneus barberinoides)
2-3 Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus)
1 Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissima)

Other Possibilities:
1 Morish Idols (Zanclus cornutus)
1 Gem Tang (Zebrasoma gemmatum)
1 Blonde Naso Tang (Naso elegans)

 

[nuxx]

Looks pretty good

 

[Thefishwrangler]

On Thursday I plan on drilling the tank for the overflow and to plumb it. Am I going to have to lay the tank on its side to drill or could I keep the tank standing normally? I would like to drill on one of the shorter sides to have the overflow on the end leaving me with 3 visible sides to walk around. However I don't think the tank would be very stable to drill if I stand it on the smaller side.

 

[RedStangGA]

Any update?

 

[Thefishwrangler]

No update on the tank. Still waiting to drill it for the overflow. I have accumulated all the plumbing pieces as well as the Vectra L1. Also have one Kessil AP700 that will be hung over the tank when its actually set up.

My big question I have is regarding drilling the tank. I would like to drill one of the 24" x 30" sides for the overflow box but I would prefer not setting the tank on the opposite side with all the weight like that. Would it be feasible to keep the tank as is and use the drill horizontally?