Putting together a new system, need some veteran suggestions...

[mfisher2112]

Hi guys/gals:

I'm working through the plans for a new tank. I'm looking at either a 180 or a 210. I'm leaning more towards the 180 because of the 25" height as opposed to the 29" height on the 210 (mainly because of lighting).

At any rate, Looking for some suggestions from the veterans. This will be the largest tank I've put together to date, and I want to do it right the first time around. Previously, 90 gallons is the largest I've put together, and I've made my share of mistakes (and accumulated my own personal pile of useless equipment in the process!).

1: Will the extra 5 inches or so in height make a huge difference with lighting?

2: Lighting... Yeah... The age old reefer debate topic... LOL! Anyway, I'm debating between MH supplemented with either VHO or T5, or considering going all T5. However, the 180 and the 210 are 72 inches, which means double 36" T5 systems, and a 39watt bulb as opposed to a 54watt bulb if I go all T5.

The question there is, will 39 watt bulbs have the par to penetrate deep enough?

And will T5 at that wattage be under powered on the 29" tall tank?

If I use MH, will 250 watt units be enough to penetrate both depths?

And, with the 72" length, should there be 3 MH units? or 4?

(told you there was a lot of questions! LOL!)

3: Skimmer... Ugg.. So many options. I will be running a 75 gallon tank as a sump, and I custom built the stand already, so space is not an issue. The question is... WHICH ONE?? On the smaller tanks, I've survived quite well with the coralife skimmer (believe it or not) and even a red sea pro on the 75, but on this larger tank, I only want to have to buy ONE SKIMMER, and I'm not really sure which direction to go here, so experience and expertise are welcomed.

4: Return pump... As stated above, I'll be converting my 75 gallon to a sump. Both the 180 and the 210 have dual overflows.

Should I run two seperate return pumps? And if so, whats your experience and recomendation on those?

Or, can I tee off one return pump to handle both return lines, and again, if so, whats your experience and recomendation on those?

5: And finally, salt. Probably the most important component to our systems. I've been using reef crystals for a while now, but have suddenly developed an issue with diatoms/brown algae after water changes. Has happened with both of the most recent buckets of salt I've purchased. I've been seeing quite a few people comment that theyve been happy with tropic marin. I don't mind spending the extra money on good salt (I know, that term is relative...) So experiences and recomendations here would be welcome as well.

For the record, I do run a Typhoon III ro/di unit that I keep close tabs on the TDS readings of, and I have about 225 to 250 pounds of live rock from 2 other tanks that will be going into the new tank. My biggest source of perplexity at this point is the equipment, since this is my largest endeavor to date.

Any input is welcome.

Thanks!

 

[blange3]

I like the 180 Matt, you have a chance to get to the bottom and back with the top off.

I also picked it because the depth of the 180 allowed me to stay with VHO's; my personal lighting preference. ;D

I'm running a CS125 as my skimmer and a single mag18 feeding two returns.

As far as salt goes I've settled on Tropic Marin. I've used Reef Crystals and IO as well, but clearly prefer TM.

 

[mfisher2112]

Thanks Bill. I'm leaning more and more towards the 180. But isn't the CS125 skimmer a little underpowered for that kind of volume?

I like the mag pumps. Was considering that, just wasn't sure what size I would need to power that size system. I'm running 9.5s with valves on both my 90 gallon tanks.

 

[mikem]

Stay away from the 29 inch tall tanks.( too hard to reach anything) They have a 220 which is 84x24x24. (I just set mine up)
I'm using 3 250 watt Halides on my 84 inch and theres no dead spots. I'm gonna supplement with a few sets of T-5's.
Can't help with the skimmer. Theres too many choices.
TM pro has been giving me the best colors and growth for my corals.
Since you already have mag 9.5's, why don't you use 2 of them for the returns.

 

[mfisher2112]

Thanks Mike!

84x24x24 huh? Who makes that tank? I think I like the idea of the longer length. And my stand fram is 96x24, so it will handle the tank easily. I wonder if I can get Dom at Aquarium Center to order that...

Had considered using the 9.5s for the returns, but wasnt sure if I'd be better served with one pump or two.

That's two votes for TM pro... I think I'll be using that.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

1: Will the extra 5 inches or so in height make a huge difference with lighting?

It depends what type of corals you're trying to keep at the bottom of the tank. With soft coral & LPS at the bottom it shouldn't be a problem.

2: Lighting... Yeah... The age old reefer debate topic... LOL! Anyway, I'm debating between MH supplemented with either VHO or T5, or considering going all T5. However, the 180 and the 210 are 72 inches, which means double 36" T5 systems, and a 39watt bulb as opposed to a 54watt bulb if I go all T5.

VHOs come in 72" lengths @ 160watts each and can be used as actinic supplemtation or the complete system of 6-8 tubes. But lighting ultimately depends on what corals you want to keep. I've never had much success keeping SPS or ricordia under VHOs but my LPS,zoas and soft thrived under them.


If I use MH, will 250 watt units be enough to penetrate both depths?
3 @ 250w should be enough



3: Skimmer... Ugg.. So many options. I will be running a 75 gallon tank as a sump, and I custom built the stand already, so space is not an issue. The question is... WHICH ONE?? On the smaller tanks, I've survived quite well with the coralife skimmer (believe it or not) and even a red sea pro on the 75, but on this larger tank, I only want to have to buy ONE SKIMMER, and I'm not really sure which direction to go here, so experience and expertise are welcomed.

There are to many to choose from. You need to narrow down your choices with budget, type and in sump or external, etc...

4: Return pump... As stated above, I'll be converting my 75 gallon to a sump. Both the 180 and the 210 have dual overflows.

Should I run two seperate return pumps? And if so, whats your experience and recomendation on those?

Or, can I tee off one return pump to handle both return lines, and again, if so, whats your experience and recomendation on those?

I would run at least an 1100GPH external pump on an Oceanmotions super squirt. They're very reliable, quiet and best of all no power heads in the tank.


5: And finally, salt. Probably the most important component to our systems. I've been using reef crystals for a while now, but have suddenly developed an issue with diatoms/brown algae after water changes. Has happened with both of the most recent buckets of salt I've purchased. I've been seeing quite a few people comment that theyve been happy with tropic marin. I don't mind spending the extra money on good salt (I know, that term is relative...) So experiences and recomendations here would be welcome as well.

I settled on Reef Crystals because growth and coral colors were good and so was the price.

 

[Patriot76]

Thanks Mike!

84x24x24 huh? Who makes that tank? I think I like the idea of the longer length. And my stand fram is 96x24, so it will handle the tank easily. I wonder if I can get Dom at Aquarium Center to order that...

Had considered using the 9.5s for the returns, but wasnt sure if I'd be better served with one pump or two.

That's two votes for TM pro... I think I'll be using that.

I have a 180g and use a Mag-9.5 as my return pump. Water movement in the DT comes via 6 Koralia's, so I do not rely on the return pump for water movement. I like the idea of water moving slower through my sump & fuge. I think this maximizes exposure to the Fuge and my skimmer. Just my personal preference, its worked well for me so. Good luck.