New to the Mega tank idea and need help!

dvrdwn10 · 10/23/2006, 10:08 AM

Hello folks,

I'm not really new to aquariums but I am new to this level of complex reef systems. I've had my current 75 Gal reef for about a year now and am in the process of building my basement with a 265 Gal aquarium in the wall. The tank backs into what will be a storage/fish/work room. With my reserch I have decided that I do want to do it right first with incoporating such things as Sump(80Gal), Refuge (usure of size), DSB (also unsure of size), Skimmer,Kalk and Calcium reactors, Circulation (usure of what yet). My questions are What is needed if I'm missing anything and does anyone have any kind of diagram or schematics of the whole system and what is conected to what. This is a great community and I've learned an awful lot already from you all. Was just hoping someone could help me out with the clarity i'm looking for before I take the active steps towards the monster reef I've been dreaming about. Thanks

Dvrdwn10

MCary · 10/23/2006, 10:41 AM

Looking at the precess as a whole can be very daunting. Its important to break everything down into its simplest elements and then formulate a plan to address each issue.

The first thing is to design the room and install the tank. I would be looking at not only plumbing the tank but the external plumbing. Maybe you will want to install a utility sink. Remember, Spa flex is your friend. You need to figure out the best way to mix and deliver your water change. Be sure you have good lighting in the room. Besure you have lots of outlets and GFCI outlets where ever there might be water contact. Its a good idea to have them on a dedicated 20 amp circuit.

For circulation your going to need alot. Closed loop or powerheads? If you want a closed loop your need to design the flow and drill the holes if you don't have predrilled holes.

You'll want a controller. I like the AC III but the AC Jr and Aquatronic are nice also.

A nice calcium reactor should be all you need for Alk and Ca++. Large water volumes are pretty stable pH wise. I don't think you need a Kalk drip to keep it up.

Sorry, just not a big fan of DSB. Once you make up your mind with a huge system, its not easy to change. To take a 40 gallon from a DSB to Shallow sand or bare bottom is easy. Doing it with a 265 is a b***. Also big tanks are difficult to aquascape because some are pretty deep. Its best to place your rocks and corals and then try to leave them alone. If you do have a tank deeper that 25 inches is good to have a front access door on the top for aquascaping and scraping glass.

Another thing, people who have tanks in basements tend to neglect them if they start to lose interest. Tanks in a main area of the house really drive the hobby because they are so beautiful and unique. So you are going to want to think about designing the viewing room to be a gathering place in the house. Make it somewhere you want to be often.

That's what I think.

Mike

dvrdwn10 · 10/23/2006, 12:02 PM

Ok, Thanks Mike
The Room - Yes I did install lots of plugs but have yet to put in the GFI's. I never thought about plumbing a sink down there good idea. I think that when looking at all of the pic for the tanks of the months one could get very intimidated with all of the large complex systems which I have. I would like to get there one day but just needing help on what goes where what's connected to what etc.... I have a pretty good Idea what I want just not to sure where it goes LOL.
Circulation- I am going with closed loop system how many holes?
Calc Reator- No Kalc huh ok so down to the basics my list of items should be 1.Tank 2.Sump 3.Skimmer 4.Refuge 5.Lights 6. Circulation 7. Water source RO/DI 8. Live rock 20-40% of volume 9. Live sand in Tank or Gravel?
My tank is 29" height so good idea on the front access.
And yes this tank will be in high traffic area we have thought about sitting area in front but thanks for that advice too. Thanks for all the good advice now i just have to figure out how to put it all together. Any good ideas of say plans and schematics on the net to help me in that category? Thanks Mike.

Dvrdwn10

10/23/2006, 10:08 AM	#1
dvrdwn10 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario Posts: 16	New to the Mega tank idea and need help! Hello folks, I'm not really new to aquariums but I am new to this level of complex reef systems. I've had my current 75 Gal reef for about a year now and am in the process of building my basement with a 265 Gal aquarium in the wall. The tank backs into what will be a storage/fish/work room. With my reserch I have decided that I do want to do it right first with incoporating such things as Sump(80Gal), Refuge (usure of size), DSB (also unsure of size), Skimmer,Kalk and Calcium reactors, Circulation (usure of what yet). My questions are What is needed if I'm missing anything and does anyone have any kind of diagram or schematics of the whole system and what is conected to what. This is a great community and I've learned an awful lot already from you all. Was just hoping someone could help me out with the clarity i'm looking for before I take the active steps towards the monster reef I've been dreaming about. Thanks Dvrdwn10

10/23/2006, 10:41 AM	#2
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	Looking at the precess as a whole can be very daunting. Its important to break everything down into its simplest elements and then formulate a plan to address each issue. The first thing is to design the room and install the tank. I would be looking at not only plumbing the tank but the external plumbing. Maybe you will want to install a utility sink. Remember, Spa flex is your friend. You need to figure out the best way to mix and deliver your water change. Be sure you have good lighting in the room. Besure you have lots of outlets and GFCI outlets where ever there might be water contact. Its a good idea to have them on a dedicated 20 amp circuit. For circulation your going to need alot. Closed loop or powerheads? If you want a closed loop your need to design the flow and drill the holes if you don't have predrilled holes. You'll want a controller. I like the AC III but the AC Jr and Aquatronic are nice also. A nice calcium reactor should be all you need for Alk and Ca++. Large water volumes are pretty stable pH wise. I don't think you need a Kalk drip to keep it up. Sorry, just not a big fan of DSB. Once you make up your mind with a huge system, its not easy to change. To take a 40 gallon from a DSB to Shallow sand or bare bottom is easy. Doing it with a 265 is a b***. Also big tanks are difficult to aquascape because some are pretty deep. Its best to place your rocks and corals and then try to leave them alone. If you do have a tank deeper that 25 inches is good to have a front access door on the top for aquascaping and scraping glass. Another thing, people who have tanks in basements tend to neglect them if they start to lose interest. Tanks in a main area of the house really drive the hobby because they are so beautiful and unique. So you are going to want to think about designing the viewing room to be a gathering place in the house. Make it somewhere you want to be often. That's what I think. Mike

10/23/2006, 12:02 PM	#3
dvrdwn10 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario Posts: 16	Ok, Thanks Mike The Room - Yes I did install lots of plugs but have yet to put in the GFI's. I never thought about plumbing a sink down there good idea. I think that when looking at all of the pic for the tanks of the months one could get very intimidated with all of the large complex systems which I have. I would like to get there one day but just needing help on what goes where what's connected to what etc.... I have a pretty good Idea what I want just not to sure where it goes LOL. Circulation- I am going with closed loop system how many holes? Calc Reator- No Kalc huh ok so down to the basics my list of items should be 1.Tank 2.Sump 3.Skimmer 4.Refuge 5.Lights 6. Circulation 7. Water source RO/DI 8. Live rock 20-40% of volume 9. Live sand in Tank or Gravel? My tank is 29" height so good idea on the front access. And yes this tank will be in high traffic area we have thought about sitting area in front but thanks for that advice too. Thanks for all the good advice now i just have to figure out how to put it all together. Any good ideas of say plans and schematics on the net to help me in that category? Thanks Mike. Dvrdwn10