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Hello,

My wife and I are starting our home renovation soon and I have finally talked her into a large tank for our rec room, costs etc to be tied in with the renovation. The catch however, seeing as she knows me well, she would like a cost breakdown for all the materials involved. I've started my list below and I am looking for some insight as to what I may have missed, what you would add or remove, what equipment you might swap out.


Tank - 96x24x24 - 240 gal
Sump - 48x18x24
PFO Mini HQI Pendent - 250W x4
Aqua C EV-400 Protein Skimmer Package - Mak-4 Pump
Sequence ReeFlo External Water Pump - Dart (3600GPH) - Closed Loop
Sequence ReeFlo External Water Pump - Dart (3600GPH) - Return Pump
Jager 200 Watt Aquarium Heater (Eheim) x3
Instant Ocean Sea Salt - 160 Gallon Mix x3
Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor 150 Pro Package - Plus Media
Neptune Systems AquaController Junior Package (DC8)
Exhaust Fan - Humidity Control
Kent Marine Maxxima Hi-S RO/DI (Reverse Osmosis/Deionization) Filter - 60 GPD
Precision Marine Reverse Flow 422 Calcium Reactor Package - Plus Media
Precision Marine Kalkreactor KR620 - Plus Media
Misc. Plumbing
Electrical

( List updated as per suggestions )


The tank will be placed in the center of a 25' wall with the cabinet running the entire length of the 25' with the exception of a false panel at one end for taller items, the space will be 24"x24"x8' high. There will be no access to the back of the tank so all plumbing will have to be done through the bottom of the tank. My wife would like a true show tank, nothing jury-rigged or hokey looking. So any equipment advice or general advise you could provide to make this a reality would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks all

You can probably do without the UV sterlizer, IMO

I have heard mixed reviews on them, I thought I would give it a shot. If nothing else it could find a home on my FW.

Just off the top of my head, I would recommend considering the following:

1. Make sure you get starphire glass. Worth the extra money, and is a
small drop in the bucket comparted to all the other stuff you will be
getting. Also consider an external overflow.
2. You will need one more metal halide on that 8' tank, consider lumanarc
reflectors, they are worth every penny.
3. Make sure you budget for the plumbing for all the pumps, including
union valves. This will be expensive so be forewarned!
4. I am guessing you will need a calcium reactor....and the accessories.
5. Forget about the magdrive. Get a good quality external pump.
6. Budget for a HRV if possible to properly manager your humidity.
7. Plan on using some water motion devices. Very important.
8. Lose the UV.

Have fun and try and plan it out as best as possible before you start. It WILL be interesting to see what you have budgeted compated to the acual cost. Smart wife!

Is this a FOWLR or Reef tank? 3 pendents may not be enough for a 96" tank. I would purchase one more pendent (1 per 24"). If you decide to stock your tank with more light demanding species (sps/clams etc) you may want to look into the Lumenmax or Lumenarc reflectors if budget permit.

1. I'll check into the glass
An external overflow won't be possible in this case. There is no access to the rear of the tank and it will need to be flush with the wall. I was going to have one diagonally in each rear corner.

2. I based 3 halides off of looking at other peoples tanks, I saw about a 50/50 split between 3 and four bulbs

3. I put some serious thought into the plumbing costs so I don't expect too much of a surprise there. I figure around 750.00 - 1000.00 for plumbing all said and done

4. Ahh the Calcium Reactor - that I did forget about.

5. Another Dart? - That would put me at 15x turnover through the sump minus head lose

7. I'm trying to avoid any equipment in the tank - Possibly up my closed loop GPH?

8. Two votes for losing the UV - Will do


It will be a reef tank.

What is the space on the sides going to be like? Maybe do a coast to coast on one end and do the external overflow that way.

- I would add a kalk. reactor in as well.
- I would recommend 4 MH bulbs over the 3 with the priviously suggested reflectors. Will you be supplimenting your lighting?
- You could try adding on educators to boost your flow if you want to use a closed loop system.
- I agree with the HRV, or a dehumidifyer (which is loud BTW).

Do you already have an RO/DI unit?
Also, you might consider getting another phosban reactor and actively running carbon in it. I think it's the best way...but that's just my opinion!

Forgive my ignorance here, but wouldn't a Kalk reactor be redudndant when running a Calc reactor. My understanding is that Kalk maintains Calc levels once you have reached your target point. Would a Calc reactor not do the same on it's own?