Suggestions for a 295 gallon system.

therover8511 · 08/15/2009, 09:00 PM

I have had freshwater tanks my entire life, but have neglected to get into saltwater, but after some consideration I have now decided to make a reef tank, I currently have a 55 gallon, and I am getting a great deal on a 240 gallon tank but it needs some TLC and the person has to get rid of it. I have been looking at an ASM g-3 protein skimmer, I am looking to get a list of what I should get, and what is recommended as far as flow through my sump, and flow through my tank. I will be doing primarily soft corals and hardy fish, with invertabrates as well. I am in the very begining stages of starting all of this, and I do have a budget. Any advice would be greatly appriciated, in the sense of Must have items, the things I should ensure I have high quality items, and the things that I can go with economical options and DIY. Also suggestions of what fish, coral, and other stock would be recommended.

Thank You for the help

murfman · 08/15/2009, 10:00 PM

You should have 7-800 gph through the sump/fuge combo. I would get the best skimmer you can afford, I don't know if the G-3 is going to be enough.

oscarslr · 08/15/2009, 10:34 PM

Thats a big tank, I am starting a 240 but that would be my 4th tank, does the set up come with Rock?

therover8511 · 08/15/2009, 10:57 PM

The tank doesn't come with rock, he has "crushed coral" that he said he would give me however, the tank has not been operative for at least 10 years and as such the coral is that old, i thought it would be ill advised to use this. the tank does not leak, it is acrylic and there are some scratches, the stand needs refinished plus he has to get it out of his place asap. really all i view it as is the tank and stand that is pre drilled, for the price of a 55 and a stand.

CoRPS · 08/16/2009, 12:06 AM

Yeah, don't use crushed coral. I've heard (never used it myself) it's a nitrate factory.

lombard0 · 08/16/2009, 07:55 AM

I would suggest try to research on the specific fishes and corals you really want to have in your tank, and design the filtration system it needs.

Cheers!

oscarslr · 08/16/2009, 09:51 PM

You are really looking at some serious cash to get it going, specifically the rock/lighting/Skimmer.

08/15/2009, 09:00 PM	#1
therover8511 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 19	Suggestions for a 295 gallon system. I have had freshwater tanks my entire life, but have neglected to get into saltwater, but after some consideration I have now decided to make a reef tank, I currently have a 55 gallon, and I am getting a great deal on a 240 gallon tank but it needs some TLC and the person has to get rid of it. I have been looking at an ASM g-3 protein skimmer, I am looking to get a list of what I should get, and what is recommended as far as flow through my sump, and flow through my tank. I will be doing primarily soft corals and hardy fish, with invertabrates as well. I am in the very begining stages of starting all of this, and I do have a budget. Any advice would be greatly appriciated, in the sense of Must have items, the things I should ensure I have high quality items, and the things that I can go with economical options and DIY. Also suggestions of what fish, coral, and other stock would be recommended. Thank You for the help

08/15/2009, 10:34 PM	#3
oscarslr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 782	Thats a big tank, I am starting a 240 but that would be my 4th tank, does the set up come with Rock? __________________ Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. Aristotle Current Tank Info: 225g All Starphire tank/ SPS dominated 4 mp40s ATB 1050A 8 60w T5

08/16/2009, 09:51 PM	#7
oscarslr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 782	You are really looking at some serious cash to get it going, specifically the rock/lighting/Skimmer. __________________ Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. Aristotle Current Tank Info: 225g All Starphire tank/ SPS dominated 4 mp40s ATB 1050A 8 60w T5

08/15/2009, 10:00 PM	#2
murfman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4,670	You should have 7-800 gph through the sump/fuge combo. I would get the best skimmer you can afford, I don't know if the G-3 is going to be enough.

08/15/2009, 10:57 PM	#4
therover8511 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 19	The tank doesn't come with rock, he has "crushed coral" that he said he would give me however, the tank has not been operative for at least 10 years and as such the coral is that old, i thought it would be ill advised to use this. the tank does not leak, it is acrylic and there are some scratches, the stand needs refinished plus he has to get it out of his place asap. really all i view it as is the tank and stand that is pre drilled, for the price of a 55 and a stand.

08/16/2009, 12:06 AM	#5
CoRPS Big Time Reefer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: P-RINE Posts: 2,887	Yeah, don't use crushed coral. I've heard (never used it myself) it's a nitrate factory.

08/16/2009, 07:55 AM	#6
lombard0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 319	I would suggest try to research on the specific fishes and corals you really want to have in your tank, and design the filtration system it needs. Cheers!