First Tank 200G Reef

[chawimac]

Hello All,

I am starting my first tank with no experience whatsoever. I am writing from Central America, right on the beach in the Carribean. For one reason or another I ended up with this huge (and beautiful) acrylic tank of about 200 Gallons and plan to set it up with corals and what not.

Basically, all the goods I have were put together by some guy who is supposed to know what he is doing, and all the main gear I already have so there is not much choice as to what stuff I will use to put my tank together. I am just hoping what I have is the best and that it works for my application.

I was supposed to have all this installed but could not get someone from the states to fly down and set it up for me and teach me how to run it. I asked several local guys and they are cringed when I told them the details. So looks like I am SOL and need to get this myself or it will be more wasted time to my already 2 years.

From what I have read, I am supposing I can take my boat a few miles off shore and get some water to fill my tank. I can dive and get some sand off the bottom of the ocean as well as live rock. Dump it all in the tank and let nature take its course. Later just add fish, corals and voiala! Right? Pretty much?

EQUIPMENT

This is what I was sent:

Tank: Acrylic 96� L X 18� W X 30� H
225 Galons
2 Corner overflows 6�x10�
Bulkheads measure 1� and 1 1/2�
2 spray Nozzles

Protein Skimmer
Pro Clear Aquatic Systems
Model MPS 250
Motorized 250 Gallon

Wet/Dry Filter
Pro Clear Aquatic Systems
Model 400

UV Sterilizer
Gamma Pond
Model 1403

Turbelle Stream Flow Fan
Tunze
Model 6080

Aqua-Chill ¼ HP Chiller

Sequence Pump
Model 750
1/8 HP

2 Lamps
250 W Halide with Ballast

True Union Swing Check Valve
1-1/2 inch FPT x 1-1/2 inch FPT

Seachem Reef Salt
50 Gallon Mix Bag
9 Bags

There are a bunch of chemicals, stuff to drill holes with, power strips for wave making and lights, as well as cleaning and buffing for acrylic.

Here are a few questions I have as to the equipment that was chosen in the design of this system:

Why do I have a UV Sterilizer? Don't see many people using them or at least talking about them!

Why do I have a Wet/Dry? It comes with bio balls, I have read that they are counterproductive for reefs, do I dump them and put some liverock there instead?

As per the reef salt, I can use ocean water instead, correct? There is NO pollution where I live.

PLUMBING

I've been reading for a few weeks now trying to put the pieces together and find out what all this stuff was and how it fit together, as well as reading about the science behind all this. I understand that the biological processes that need to happen are slow so am taking my time on the biology part of my marine aquarium education, but I would like to put this puzzle together and get the process going.

The most difficult part I find so far is the plumbing. Particularly, I have problems understanding how the UV and the chiller fit into the system??? I have only one pump, does everything run off this one pump?

Some equipment is meant for PVC, while others for flex acrylic tubing (Chiller). How do you mix acrylic and PVC? How does it connect?

I have pipes and fitting that are FTP, MPT, Slip, 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1 1/2" and 2", and is it all supposed to be connected to one pump? It is a huge jigsaw puzzle! Looking at other people's pictures helps but every install is unique and mine is no exception.

O.K. That is enough questions for now. I would really appreciate some help and lots of advice, suggestions, whatever. I know I am way over my head but am a quick learner. Been a noob before in other hobbies, and I am positive this one is gonna be more fun that a pain in the ***. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Thnx

Chuck

[nikon187]

um you will need more then 2 lamps for a 8 foot tank. probably need 4 and at 30'' deep you may be limited on what you can put on the sand.. I don't know about the laws where you live, but most places it is highly illigal to take anything from the ocean without propper permits first. ( Especially live rock and coral )

Thats a big tank for your first one. You will more than likely need more equipment to get this thing going. ( Another pump for the chiller, More power heads for water movement, more lights, test kits, refractometer and other stuff )

[jthao]

you'll need a couple more things...
more flow add a couple more tunzes
more lighting, add a couple more 250w

why do you need salt mix??? man if i were you, I'd just use the ocean water. we are trying to mimic the ocean water with our salt mix, calcium additives, magnesium addictive, etc, when you got everything you need right in front of you.

Just a cool thought....... if this could happen, man it would be freakin awesome!!!!! imagine this, the overflow from the tank goes into a pvc that leads straight into the ocean. an pump pumps ocean water straight into the tank as a return. no sump/skimmer etc... tank water is constantly refreshed ocean water!!!!!

[CichlidaeNReefs]

you would want to replace the bio-balls in the wet/dry with Live rock rubble. using bio-balls creates nitrites

[LJA]

I used beach sand and water when I setup my 29G and everything is fine, although I would not recommend the sand unless it's aragonite where you live. Here in central Florida it's mostly silica and just doesn't look as good.

Running carbon during your cycle will remove any chemicals from the ocean water too.

[CichlidaeNReefs]

you can do a vinegar test on the substrate....I dont know much about it but have heard about people testing it that way to see if its good sand or not

[sassafrass]

Something to consider is a tank that is 18" wide and 30" deep is going to be a real pain to maintain especially when you consider it is made of acrylic so you are limited in what you can use to clean it (only plastic scrapers and soft scrub pads) If you put in a 6" sand bed that would help(most peoples arms can only reach about 24" without your face going into the water) If it was my setup I would go for a 24"x 24" by however long and use the money you save on buying additional lighting to purchase a more appropriate tank. The tank you received is a hybrid freshwater show tank/ reef tank ,fresh water first hence the bio-balls and salt second hence the small over flows. For the sake of your sanity please consider my words!
best regards , Lee

[Nano Chris]

Welcome!

To Reef Central

[K' Family Reef]

To Reef Central

[weluvfish54]

i would set it up and let it cycle and sit for several months and during that time buy a smaller tank so you can get the feel of it...ie 60g..which u could use as QT later.
and research as much as you can..

[kar93]

Originally posted by chawimac
Wet/Dry Filter
Pro Clear Aquatic Systems
Model 400

May I suggest against this one as IMO it is much more efficient if you build your own either from scratch or from a ready made glass/acrylic tank. This will allow you to accomodate your needs into the sump.

Originally posted by chawimac
UV Sterilizer
Gamma Pond
Model 1403

I wouldn't go with this UV because it is made for koi ponds rather than reef aquaria. I would recommend this one.

Originally posted by chawimac
Turbelle Stream Flow Fan
Tunze
Model 6080

Could I also recommend 2x Vortech MP40w's as these have many various features and functions, are wireless, have battery backup incase of power outage and take almost zero space in your tank.

Originally posted by chawimac
2 Lamps
250 W Halide with Ballast

If you plan on keeping SPS & LPS i would recommend 2x250w and 1x400w supplemented with T5 or VHO all with reflectors as this will give you good light penetration, coverage and wattage. On a 96" tank 2x250w Halides really will not give you enough coverage or wattage IMO.

Please just take this as constructuve critisism. I'm not trying to say you're doing it all wrong. Just trying to help you out as this is your first tank.

Oh and,

To Reef Central

[Larry Waughon]

To Reef Central

We need pics

[kar93]

Double Post

[chawimac]

WOW, Great feedback. I really appreciate that!

I will definitely post some pics tomorrow of the tank, though its just sitting outside.

nikon187 thnx for the heads up but I am aware of the laws. I do have lots of test kits, refractometer and things of that nature. What do I need to consider in buying another pump for my chiller?

Regarding the salt mix, I figured as much that I would not need it. But cycling water directly from the ocean is just not practical.

So definitely no bio balls, that's clear. I still am hesitant to change the wet/dry for something else due to the expense, and the shipping down here. There are no people working with acrylic locally, so that complicates things.

kar93, what ARE my needs with the sump? I've seen lots of designs, but fail to see the importance or the difference in the function... can you elaborate on this?

Also, is changing the UV a must? Will this one work? What is the importance of the UV?

kar93, I do appreciate the feedback. I will get more power heads probably of the same kind I have, but the ones you recommend are VERY pricey! The battery backup was nice, and got me thinking of the importance of power.

We have consistent interruptions with electric flow here. How important is it to always have power? How long will my tank survive without electricity? Hours, days, how much? What is considered critical regarding the common equipment on an aquarium?

As for the lighting, what size T5 or VHO? To cover the whole tank? Am guessing the 400W recommended would be placed between the 250's?

LJA, I am not sure about what kind of sand I have here but its pretty white and would look good in the aquarium. How would I incorporate carbon into my system? Can I place carbon filled bioballs into my overflows or would that create nitrites as well???

Can someone please give me some feedback on plumbing. Tips? A basic rundown of how the water flows through the system considering the equipment involved.

Looks like I will be compiling a new shopping list to get this done. Thnx for the feedback

One last note. I live in BFE so certain things you take for granted are difficult for me. Can't run to my local pet shop and fedex doesn't deliver.

[chawimac]

Here are some pics of the tank itself. It still has some of the shrink wrap on it.



Notice the steel base. I guess that as well is inappropriate as corrosion will eat away at it and become a huge problem in the future. Will use a wooden frame in the actual install.



This is a pic of the inside of the 30 inch tall overflow and the 1" and 1 1/2" bulkheads below.



This is a pic of the overflows with the spray nozzle attached. The overflows are black acrylic 6" x 10", 30" High. Th spray nozzles are 1" MPT.

Can someone please recommend a good plumbing thread?

Thnx

Chuck