Lost my mind and bought a 215...Help me build it

[Kevomac]

OK, I finally did it. My wife told me she wanted to get me a bigger reef tank for Christmas, but couldn't pick one out without me. I found a 215 on my local mas web site and bought it. Now I need some suggestions. I bought just the tank, stand and canopy. I need a suggestion on where to get a good deal on a filter, what kind of lights should I go with (I'm planning on this being an lps and softie tank), and any other suggestions anyone may have. Should I put a substrate in the display tank? DSB or just a light layer of sand for looks? HELP!

[SDguy]

You're looking for lots of basic info. I'm sure plenty of people will have suggestions. If I were you, I'd get some books so you can make an informed decision. I liked Calfo's coral prop book. Covers lots of basic stuff.

That said, you can go BB or SSB, or DSB for a softie/LPS tank. Good live rock, a good skimmer, flow from whatever method you like, and I'd probably suggest t5 unless you like glitter lines, then go MH.

[jlynn427]

i agree with the t-5's.

[STEELERFAN747]

It all depends what you are willing to spend.

If you can afford it, I would look onto the solaris led lighting system. I have read they have just about the same par as a 250MH for every foot of lighting, about 1/2 the power consumption and alot less heat. They also have built in timers.

I know they are expensive but if you figure you will not have to replace bulbs in about 11 years, less power consumption, no need for a chiller and you will not need to but timers plus less water evaporation then you will actualy save money in the long run.

Just my 2 cents ( good luck, I wish I had your problem)

[xian]

A tank that size needs a large skimmer. Choosing the best one you can afford should be your to priority. Also it will help you determine how you want to run your system.

I would investigate Deltec and ASM. Also check out some of the various beckett skimmers out there. I'm running an ASM G4X on my system. However my whole system has about as much water as your display.

[Airman]

SF747
Do you use the solaris led lighting?

[ridetheducati]

A tank that size needs a large skimmer. Choosing the best one you can afford should be your to priority. Also it will help you determine how you want to run your system.

Not sure how old your ASM is, but that skimmer has fallen way out of favor.

Depending on your budget look at these... oh, some of the following will cost more than your tank. Next to live rock this is the corner stone of your system. Missing the mark can be costly.


1. BubbleKing
2. H&S and Deltec
3. ATI Bubble Master
4. ER
5. Reef Octopus
6. ASM

[rreddick]

My 2 cents
First off in order of priority for a large reef are:
Sump Tank - at least 55G for that size tank to hold equipment
Skimmer (Lower price - Percision Marine Bullet 2 or AquaC EV 400) High price Bubble King
200 to 300 lbs of Live rock
1" Sand Bed , would be about 100 lbs of sand, you do not need live, just good sugar fine
Lighting (I would go MH with Duals)
RO/DI Unit (buying water is expensive and not always assured of the quality)

The rest of the equipment is nice to have an can be added later, such as
Top off system
Refigum (to grow pods, Macro for nutrient export)
Calc Reactor (if you are going to have alot of corals)
Canister filter (water polishing, but a lot of weeky maint)

and have fun with the new setup

Ron

[SDguy]

Well since the OP is asking for a "good deal" I won't even comment on BK skimmers.

Some good skimmers mentioned. Look into beckett skimmers too, like myreefcreations. They do require a large pump to power them, but their performance is tough to beat, IMO.

[Kevomac]

Cool ideas so far. BTW, I should have mentioned I have a 10 year old 70 DAS reef, a 9 year old 120 FO, and an 8 year old 29 FO, so I do have some background. I am just very behind as far as state of the art. I am just looking for some ideas for such a large tank. I am thinking about going with a SSB for substrate (I have a DSB in my 120 and BB in my old reef), was thinking VHO for my lights (I have had experince with them, and like them, but would like to consider an upgrade for the new tank. I have been looking at a sump/fuge setup online that comes with a basic fuge light, skimmer, and pumps all for about $300, but I'm nervous based on the much lower than normal price for such a setup. I would be looking at upgrading the skimmer heavily in the near future.

Also , I am trying to decide how to setup/cycle the system once I get it plumbed, etc. I have an RODI unit that produces 50 gal a day, but that would take me days to make enough water to start the tank, plus I don't have the capacity to store much water, so I would have to add a little at a time and just keep it circulating. Will this be okay? Also, I am debating cured vs uncured LR. I know where I can get reasonable uncured rock, or I could buy cured rock from others locally through dfwmas.org. Thoughts on this? I am in no hurry, as I will have to do this one step at a time for financial reasons, so please keep the ideas coming. I will keep everyone posted as the build progresses.

[RichConley]

Originally posted by STEELERFAN747
It all depends what you are willing to spend.

If you can afford it, I would look onto the solaris led lighting system. I have read they have just about the same par as a 250MH for every foot of lighting, about 1/2 the power consumption and alot less heat.

That is absolutely untrue.

The Solaris fixture put out less par than an XM20K SE bulb running on an eballast, with a totally unneeded glass shield. It was pretty much the weakest 250w setup, against the most powerful setting of the solaris, and the XM still put out more light by a good margin. That being said, you will also NEVER pay for the solaris in electricity savings.

[rreddick]

I would be worried on what you get for $300 in that deal. A used, decent skimmer for that size tank will run you 300. Why not just get a used 55G AGA tank, buy some 1/4" acrylic at Home Depot and silcon in your own baffles, three chambers. One - Skimmer, two, sperate low flow Ref area, three return area. There are many good plans on the site for this, and can be built for under 100. The add a PC light for the Fuge and skimmer and your are set.

As to initial water, if your tap water tests good for phospates and other garbbage you can use it to fill the tank the first time. Use a good declor/heavy metal product. Let circulate several days and then add your salt, again let circulate several days. The cured versus uncured is up to you. I would say if you are budget minded, go uncured and wait the 4 to 6 weeks for the tank to cycle. Cured, depending on distance and time wrapped in wet paper, may not even cycle, or may do a mini one over the course of a week.

BTW - I have a used Percison Marine Bullet 2 I can let go at a decent price if your are interested PM me.

Ron

[Kevomac]

My tap water is high in ammonia. When I set up my 120 9 years ago, it took probably six weeks to cycle with tap watrer because of the dissolved organics. Of course, this time I'd have more filtration to take it out quicker. What if I used tap water and some amquel or something like that to help it settle faster? I'd love to be able to fill the tank with tap water.

[rstark33]

As far as the tap water goes, just run a long line from the RO unit straight to the tank. so it takes days....start right now and you will be full by Monday.
I would not use tap water to start if you can avoid it. Patience will pay off on the water question.

[STEELERFAN747]

Originally posted by Airman
SF747
Do you use the solaris led lighting?

I am currently using mh's with pc's but I am looking into purchasing a solaris unit I just have not been able to fill my fishy bank yet. Hopefuly soon.

[STEELERFAN747]

Originally posted by RichConley
That is absolutely untrue.

The Solaris fixture put out less par than an XM20K SE bulb running on an eballast, with a totally unneeded glass shield. It was pretty much the weakest 250w setup, against the most powerful setting of the solaris, and the XM still put out more light by a good margin. That being said, you will also NEVER pay for the solaris in electricity savings.

First of all I said just about the same amount per foot of lighting(89.4% to be exact and they have a higher pur as well) so I dont know what that good margin is. That would mean roughly 540% of 6 250mh's (I dont know too many people that would want to place 1500 watts of mh's in their display when they can use 450 watts of led lighting and get almost the same results)

I would actually do some research before commenting. I stated the benefits as being less energy (40%), less heat (temperature never rose above room temp even after running system 27 hours straight while placing the lights 2" above water surface (as per recent review conducted) I dont know what other lighting system can do that and I also mentioned he would make up the cost , considering that he would not have to replace bulbs in about 11 years, (I currently spend about $275 a year on bulbs/times 11 years = $3000.00) (6 mh 250 watts average price $80 X 6 = $480 x 11 years = $5280, 40% less energy consumption, less heat so a/c does not kick on alot, no need to purchase timers and no need for a chiller.

THAT MY FRIEND IS HOW HE MAKES UP FOR PAYMENT OF LIGHTING UNIT

[FavaBean]

hey kevomac i am in abilene tx and if you need some good starting rock/stuff i have it all i am trying to sell my 55 gallon with everything....send me a pm if you want to know more

[xian]

Originally posted by ridetheducati
Not sure how old your ASM is, but that skimmer has fallen way out of favor.

Depending on your budget look at these... oh, some of the following will cost more than your tank. Next to live rock this is the corner stone of your system. Missing the mark can be costly.


1. BubbleKing
2. H&S and Deltec
3. ATI Bubble Master
4. ER
5. Reef Octopus
6. ASM

Works fine. Didn't make me broke.

[Kevomac]

I've seen a couple of ETSS 800 (?) skimmers for sale used lately. Any opinions?