What's the ultimate 150g SPS setup?

tj2004 · #1 09/11/2007, 04:39 PM

I want to upgrade my starter 75g reef tank to a 150g in the near future. I've seen some amazing corals coming from many tanks and I want that too. I'm looking for suggestions on the type of tank, lights, pumps, powerheads, skimmers, etc. Also the best method for plumbing in a closed loop, fuge, sump, etc.
I've read several posts on this site and there are a ton of tanks that work with more or less stuff. I want suggestions for planning my tank so I don't look back and say why did I do it that way? I don't have an unlimited budget though.
Thanks

Horace · #2 09/11/2007, 04:49 PM

how are the corals in your 75g now? While I only have a 75g tank as well, my corals are pretty freggin outstanding IMO.

burton14e7 · #3 09/11/2007, 05:41 PM

Check out the show off your tank thread. I'm setting up a 120 and was going steal their ideas.

Wazzel · #4 09/11/2007, 10:38 PM

I like my 150.

tj2004 · #5 09/12/2007, 10:26 AM

My corals are nice but my tank has been work in progress. It used to be a fish only tank. I had to upgrade the sump, lights, skimmer, ca reactor, etc. Right now my tank looks nice but I'm not getting the color that everyone else gets or the amazing growth. Don't get me wrong my corals are growing and they look good but they don't pop like most of the corals I see on RC. I recently changed to 250w 14k bulbs from a 10k. This helped some. I'm basically learning as I go. I plan on keeping my 75 running in my office but adding a 150 at home after our rennovation is complete. Thanks for your input.

ReeferMonkey · #6 09/13/2007, 09:46 PM

Rimless, starphire, non-standard 150 - deeper than it is tall. External overflow, PVC bottom, closed loop through the bottom on a large pump with multiple (8? 10?) outlets configured to create a gyre flow pattern, sand, minimal aquascaping with exceptional Marshall Island LR, big recirc skimmer, fuge, UV, Profilux controller, SPS dominant with LPS, zoanthids and lots of small fish.