Tank Upgrade

Adamant · 04/08/2015, 02:55 AM

Well,

I've got permission to get a new tank!

Currently run a 350L (92 US Gallons) corner tank and looking to probably get either a 7x2x3 or an 8x2x3.

The 7x2x3 is the most likely option which is ~1190L (314 US Gallons).

Any caveats to be aware of with this (other than the cost of setting up and ongoing costs!)?

As it'll be from a corner out, I'm thinking of a nice moulded background in the tank and then I can use insulating board round the back and one side which should hopefully reduce heating / cooling costs somewhat!

For LR, will I really need about 120Kg of rock? I've got about 32Kg in my 350L (92 Gallons) and that has never been a problem but I'd rather get all the rock in that I need now and then I can let it cure fully in the tank before stocking.

Current stocking will be (this is in my 350L currently):
2 x True Percula Clowns
1 x Diamond Goby
1 x Camel Shrimp
1 x Scarlet Skunk Shrimp
4 x Turbo Snails
1 x Powder Blue Tang (She is in my 350L currently and I only got her last weekend at the same time as getting permission to install a new tank. We both have been in love with her at the LFS for a couple of months now and it's one of the reasons the permission was forthcoming, she's only about 3'' long for now so I don't have a problem with her in a 92 Gallon for a couple of months until the new tank is ready).

The main questions I guess are:

Glass vs Acrylic (I'm thinking glass for scratches etc)

Sump - Am I better with 2 smaller sumps rather than 1 bigger sump? This way in case of failure of something I still have filtration running?

Stocking - whilst all the rules seem to be "1 Tang a Tank", will I likely be OK adding a Yellow Tang to this size tank?

I would really like a Hippo too but will a Hippo and Powder Blue be too close in colour?

Any other suggestions?

/me can't wait and wants to go give the LFS my money now!

nmotz · 04/08/2015, 05:10 AM

I don't know too terribly much about tanks this size but I've done a lot of reading in the "large tanks forum" and it has a wealth of information on some of these questions. For instance, I've seen numerous people with 300G+ tanks keep multiple tangs. I'll let you investigate how they went about doing it, but I do think it's possible *if* you plan appropriately.

You asked about LR quantity and that's always a difficult question to answer. How much (or how little) you have is really dependent on your tank's individual bioload. If you have tons and tons of fish, you'll likely need more LR to keep things stable. You might try looking into marinepure blocks which supposedly make a really good substitute for copious amounts of LR. I would look at some of the large tank build threads and see what ratio of LR to water volume is most commonly used.

Whichever sump solution you choose, whether it's 1 sump or 2, I would include lots of space to grow macroalgae. Glass vs acrylic is a personal preference issue that only you can resolve I think. If it were me, I would do glass because I don't want to worry about scratching a tank that is so expensive. Although I will say that the products they make to buff out small scratches on acrylic tanks seem to work pretty well.

In general I'd recommend doing a lot of research on the large tanks forum before making such a huge investment. Unless you're just loaded.....then go knock yourself out I guess! Enjoy!

Adamant · 04/08/2015, 05:34 AM

Thanks,

I hadn't even noticed the large tanks board (

ops

, I'll be sure to pop in there now.

The marinepure looks interesting - probably a little ugly for the DT but could certainly fit a fair bit into a sump.

A good refugium will be a must - both for nutrient export and also for some fresh food for the Tang(s).

...and unfortunately, I'm not loaded (

), the cost is going to be a big issue but when I'm spending such a large amount (with such large ongoing costs) I don't mind spending a little more to get it right!

scooter31707 · 04/08/2015, 09:14 AM

IMO, I would add the yellow tang and maybe even a Kole Tang if you do the 8ft tank. I would not do the Blue Hippo Tang and just have the Powder Blue Tang and Yellow Tang in the 7ft.

scooter31707 · 04/08/2015, 09:15 AM

you might even get away with a Naso in the 8ft.

scooter31707 · 04/08/2015, 09:16 AM

Also you didn't mention if it was going to be a reef or fowlr. If a fowlr, I would do 2 tangs and maybe look into some type of large angel.

04/08/2015, 02:55 AM	#1
Adamant Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 70	Tank Upgrade Well, I've got permission to get a new tank! Currently run a 350L (92 US Gallons) corner tank and looking to probably get either a 7x2x3 or an 8x2x3. The 7x2x3 is the most likely option which is ~1190L (314 US Gallons). Any caveats to be aware of with this (other than the cost of setting up and ongoing costs!)? As it'll be from a corner out, I'm thinking of a nice moulded background in the tank and then I can use insulating board round the back and one side which should hopefully reduce heating / cooling costs somewhat! For LR, will I really need about 120Kg of rock? I've got about 32Kg in my 350L (92 Gallons) and that has never been a problem but I'd rather get all the rock in that I need now and then I can let it cure fully in the tank before stocking. Current stocking will be (this is in my 350L currently): 2 x True Percula Clowns 1 x Diamond Goby 1 x Camel Shrimp 1 x Scarlet Skunk Shrimp 4 x Turbo Snails 1 x Powder Blue Tang (She is in my 350L currently and I only got her last weekend at the same time as getting permission to install a new tank. We both have been in love with her at the LFS for a couple of months now and it's one of the reasons the permission was forthcoming, she's only about 3'' long for now so I don't have a problem with her in a 92 Gallon for a couple of months until the new tank is ready). The main questions I guess are: Glass vs Acrylic (I'm thinking glass for scratches etc) Sump - Am I better with 2 smaller sumps rather than 1 bigger sump? This way in case of failure of something I still have filtration running? Stocking - whilst all the rules seem to be "1 Tang a Tank", will I likely be OK adding a Yellow Tang to this size tank? I would really like a Hippo too but will a Hippo and Powder Blue be too close in colour? Any other suggestions? /me can't wait and wants to go give the LFS my money now!

04/08/2015, 05:10 AM	#2
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	I don't know too terribly much about tanks this size but I've done a lot of reading in the "large tanks forum" and it has a wealth of information on some of these questions. For instance, I've seen numerous people with 300G+ tanks keep multiple tangs. I'll let you investigate how they went about doing it, but I do think it's possible if you plan appropriately. You asked about LR quantity and that's always a difficult question to answer. How much (or how little) you have is really dependent on your tank's individual bioload. If you have tons and tons of fish, you'll likely need more LR to keep things stable. You might try looking into marinepure blocks which supposedly make a really good substitute for copious amounts of LR. I would look at some of the large tank build threads and see what ratio of LR to water volume is most commonly used. Whichever sump solution you choose, whether it's 1 sump or 2, I would include lots of space to grow macroalgae. Glass vs acrylic is a personal preference issue that only you can resolve I think. If it were me, I would do glass because I don't want to worry about scratching a tank that is so expensive. Although I will say that the products they make to buff out small scratches on acrylic tanks seem to work pretty well. In general I'd recommend doing a lot of research on the large tanks forum before making such a huge investment. Unless you're just loaded.....then go knock yourself out I guess! Enjoy! __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

04/08/2015, 05:34 AM	#3
Adamant Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 70	Thanks, I hadn't even noticed the large tanks board (ops, I'll be sure to pop in there now. The marinepure looks interesting - probably a little ugly for the DT but could certainly fit a fair bit into a sump. A good refugium will be a must - both for nutrient export and also for some fresh food for the Tang(s). ...and unfortunately, I'm not loaded ( ), the cost is going to be a big issue but when I'm spending such a large amount (with such large ongoing costs) I don't mind spending a little more to get it right!

04/08/2015, 09:14 AM	#4
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	IMO, I would add the yellow tang and maybe even a Kole Tang if you do the 8ft tank. I would not do the Blue Hippo Tang and just have the Powder Blue Tang and Yellow Tang in the 7ft.

04/08/2015, 09:15 AM	#5
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	you might even get away with a Naso in the 8ft.

04/08/2015, 09:16 AM	#6
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Also you didn't mention if it was going to be a reef or fowlr. If a fowlr, I would do 2 tangs and maybe look into some type of large angel.