Converting my 200 gallon Fresh water, Should I ???

[sgmccool]

OK I'm not new to reefs but I've been somewhat out of the techno loop for say 10 years. So I need to catch up.

I currently have a 200 gallon Oceanic 7' X 2' X 2' show tank that is smack dab in the middle of the house and is viewable from 3 sides. The over flow is on one end.

This tank was once a salt water predator tank and it was awesome until I had a heater failure while we were on vacation, yep you guessed it everyone got ick and died. So the tank has been Tropheus (Cichlids) for the last 6 or so years. Now I feel like I should get back into the Reef Tank or at least Salt water fish.

I’m all about low maintenance as you will soon read.

The 200 gallon tank is filtered currently with a 125 gallon sump that is in the basement. Next to that is a 100 gallon vat for mixing water and in between is a deep sink. The room has ample space to even go bigger if needed. So as you can see I can build a huge Refugium or whatever is needed.

OK so here is what I know, I worked at a local fish store for over 5 years back in the 90’s and Compact Florescence where just coming out. I have a 20 gallon long mini reef in my office that has been going strong for 10 years (all soft corals). Like I said I like low maintenance AKA the basement filter with all ball valves and drains to do water changes.

So the questions are these: With such a large basement room and sump can I expect few water quality issues and little to no algae issues in the main tank with today’s Refuqium set ups? Also can I expect a low power bill yet great results with LED lighting now?

This is just to get me started, so what do you folks think?

Thanks
Sam

PS I live in the Atlanta Ga area if someone has a show and tell 

[FishM8]

Hallo Sam,

YES! You should definitely change from cichlids to saltwater! I did that change with my 100gal tank in 2007/2008 and it was the best decision ever made.
About your powerbill: Just thinking of LED lighting and pumps you can have a lot lower power bill using new equipment. I had to change a lot of my equipment during the last 3 years sizing up my tank from 100gal to 335gal. I spend less energy for the bigger tank!
If it comes to “low maintenance” it is a matter of getting things organized. You have a fishrooom - that makes things very easy. The most time I spend for maintenance is for water changes. In addition to that (bi)weekly routine its only empty the skimmer cup and cleaning to phosban reactor and change filter socks.

Hope to see you aquascaping soon!

Bjorn

[neonpoke]

do it.

[FishM8]

@neonpoke

[slief]

No guarantees about algae. There are too many factors that play into that. Things like water quality, the use of RODI water for your top off and mixed water, phosphates, nitrates, lighting, water flow etc all play a role in algae growth or a lack of.

That said, power consumption goes well beyond just the lighting. If your goal is a lower power bill, heat transfer and efficiency will be the key to maintaining low power usage. You choice of pumps and lighting will be very important. You don't want pumps with high heat transfer but instead very efficient pumps. Same goes with lighting. If you don't err on the side of efficiency, you may find you need a chiller which can consume lots of power over and above pumps and lighting.


So the things you need to ask yourself and factor in are going to be:

Do you have an RODI Water Source for 0 TDS water?

What size and brand return pumps are you going to run? I would suggest a minimum of 1200 GPH at your head height. Depending on how high the tank is above the basement sump, you may be rather limited as far as efficient pumps go.

Lighting... LED or not.

Internal tank flow.. What circulation pumps are you going to run. You will want a couple power heads or wave making pumps to augment flow.

[dave.m]

If you have to ask you're not ready. When you can't be restrained and are beginning to take berserk risks just to have it, then you are truly ready.

Dave.M

[maddmaxx]

Originally Posted by dave.m

if you have to ask you're not ready. When you can't be restrained and are beginning to take berserk risks just to have it, then you are truly ready.

Dave.m

+1