240 Planning Stages

[Parker]

Originally Posted by 220G

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!

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.

[Midknight]

Originally Posted by Parker

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.

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.

[michika]

- 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).

[Der_Iron_Chef]

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!

[Parker]

Originally Posted by Der_Iron_Chef

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!

Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor 150 Pro Package

This package comes with two reactors and the Maxi-jet 400 plus plumbing for it. Quite handy to order it all as a package.

[michika]

A Calcium reactor maintains alkalinity, and a Kalk. reactor maintains calcium. Running both allows you to maintain steady dKH, and Ca levels, which helps a lot in maintaining color, growth, and strength in SPS, LPS, and clams.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by michika

A Calcium reactor maintains alkalinity, and a Kalk. reactor maintains calcium. Running both allows you to maintain steady dKH, and Ca levels, which helps a lot in maintaining color, growth, and strength in SPS, LPS, and clams.

Thanks for the info, I must have read a improper descritption or just plain misunderstood it. More likly me misundertanding

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by michika

A Calcium reactor maintains alkalinity, and a Kalk. reactor maintains calcium. Running both allows you to maintain steady dKH, and Ca levels, which helps a lot in maintaining color, growth, and strength in SPS, LPS, and clams.

With that being said a calcuim Reactor will also maintain proper levels of Magnesuim in the 1350 range too. but will lower your Ph and that is why they use a Kalk reactor,..

[Parker]

Originally Posted by michika

- 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).

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?