Frag Tank ?'s

[gofor100]

Alright... so my ultimate plan of getting so many tanks that my wife prefer that I just get "one big tank" is in the works...

So the tank at issue is a 24"L X 24"W X 15"T tank I just got that I'll be setting up as a frag tank (for mostly SPS, clams that I just "have" to have but don't have room in my display tank, and some acans at the bottom- probably shaded a little) and plumb it into my current display tank (60 gallons). Although, initially it has to be plumbed independently because I'm also using it as a "holding tank" for my corals/fish during a move of the 60 gallon.

So the best case scenario for me would be to buy equipment that can then be used for a larger tank down the road (approx. 60"L X 30"W X 30"T= about 230g), so I'm trying to plan accordingly.

First on the list is lighting... since I already have two LumenMax Elite DE 250W MH reflectors for my 60 gallon (and like them obviously), I was thinking of getting a third and hanging it approx. 12" high (or higher) off of the frag tank, so that I can then use this reflector when I upgrade. I know this is a lot of light for a 15"T tank (which is the reason I'm hanging this at least 12" off the tank), but does anyone think I should change the distance lower/higher? Also, does anyone have any blueprints/ideas on how to suspend the light over the tank without hanging it from the ceiling (I was thinking of making something I can attach to the tank and hang the light from there)?

Then there is the filtration/skimmer... I was thinking of getting a Reef Octopus 8 Skimmer (which works on up to 250 gallons) and is relatively cheap, and then using this when I plumb the two tanks together. At first I thought this might be overkill, but since I have a 60 gallon display tank, the frag tank (approx. 37 gallons), two sumps of about 30 gallons each, I'm thinking this should work out pretty well. Does anyone have any thoughts on this set-up or a recommendation on another skimmer that could easily handle the eventual upgrade to 230 gallons and not break the bank?

Next, does anyone have some suggestions on how to plumb all of this where I can initially have the frag tank independent, then easily transition (i.e., redirect some tubing) the two tanks together?

Lastly, is there anything that I'm missing here? I've already got plenty of powerheads lying around, so the circulation should be all set. Other than the circulation, filtration, and lighting... I should be good, right (my head is so full of ideas right now, I'm sure there's something I'm missing)?

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

-Chad

[gofor100]

Anyone?

Free frags for the first one to respond... JUST KIDDING!

[chimmike]

I'd say hang the halide higher than 12". Usually 12" is standard (I mounted mine about 12-13" above a 75g...dual 250w)

As for plumbing, does your sump have enough capacity to handle the frag tank as well?

[gofor100]

The current sump doesn't have enough capacity, but I just got another sump that will go under the frag tank that has the about the same volume as the frag tank... I was thinking of somehow plumbing it to where the sump under the frag tank can be redirected when I want to do a waterchange, so that I can empty and then refill the sump without the water flow stopping in the Display tank... haven't figured it out yet though... any suggestions?