Ideal setup for a 260 gallon Softy, zoa, LPS tank?

hatebreed · 09/26/2006, 12:37 AM

I just scored a 260 gallon tank and I'm wanting to set up a tank for softies, LPS and zoas. I'm probably not interested in any SPS or clams.

I have some items figured out but any additional input would be greatly appreciated.

Generally speaking I've skimped a little in the past but being a larger and more expensive tank I'd like to have everything I NEED to be successful.

Right now I have two lighting options narrowed down. The tank is 30 inches deep.

I found these two fixtures on ebay and need to decide which one.
Fixture one is 84 inches. 4x400 metal halide with 4x96 PC for a total of 1984 watts. Priced at $969. I'm guessing this is plenty of light no matter what.

Fixture one

Fixture two is 72 inches. 3x400 metal halide with 2x140 VHO for a total of 1480 watts. Priced at $799. This would leave me lacking by 6 inches on either side but I'm thinking the light should penetrate that far to the sides so the question is if there is sufficient light here.

Fixture two

Either light can have 250 watt ballasts substituted. I would like to know if 400 watt halides will be needed to keep my choice of livestock as outlined above or if you think 250's would be better. I don't want to overpower the light, assuming this is even possible on this size setup.

So any lighting input would be appreciated.

I am somewhat set on having a neptune AC3 pro but depending on what I need maybe a AC3.

For this setup, would a calcium reactor be needed or will nutrients from the salt mix with water changes suffice? If a calcium reactor would be needed, maybe explain to me what the benefit is and suggest an appropriate model.

Next up is water circulation. I really did like the Seios but they apparently don't work with the AC3. I've also seen good feedback in the Tunze, but they look like pretty ordinary powerheads and pack a bigger price tag? What about these powerheads makes them superior? What is your suggestion for water circulation on this tank?

hatebreed · 09/26/2006, 12:43 AM

I also saw on the AC3pro that you can control an ozonizer and a co2 injector? I am aware of what an ozonizer does and am probably interested in having one for this tank. Can you suggest a good ozonizer?

Also what is a CO2 injector and where can they be found? Is this just a reference to the CO2 control on a calcium reactor or is there an actual CO2 injector system that goes directly to the tank?

Also, filtration. Up until now I've run just live rock as filtration. I have a chance to grab a couple HOB overflows and refugiums for the tank at $100 each. They look to be around 30 gallons each. I've debated running these with DSB and some tpe of macro algae. Given that I have a tendency to understock fish will these be needed and what would the benefits be? Is it unwise to run live rock only filtration on this type of setup? I really like to keep it simple, but will definitely try out the sump/refugium thing if it must be done to be successful.

Also, entering the world of larger tanks, what type of skimmer would be good?

Lastly, with the halides I will probably need a chiller. Any suiggestions?

I think this covers the majority of my questions, but please feel free to add anything I've overlooked. If I've overlooked any significant pieces of equipment in my excitement please suggest those as well.

I appreciate any help and look forward to your responses!

hatebreed · 09/26/2006, 12:46 AM

One last question as well. What do people mean when they say "closed loop" system? It sounds like it might be superior and I'm curious what it means and why it is good.

HumanIMDB · 09/26/2006, 06:47 AM

Let me start by saying I am not an expert but I will share my limited knowledge...

From what I've read so far, it looks like that would be more than enough light for anything you would like to keep. You may even find that you will have to provide shade for those that require less light; mushrooms, etc.

You don't NEED a Calcium Reactor, but you will need to dose your tank if you don't use one...just one less thing you don't have to worry about. Sorry I don't know of any models to suggest...maybe in a year or two I will worry about those.

For circulation, if I had a tank that big, I would drill/plumb it for a closed loop and use an Oceans Motion (http://www.oceansmotions.com) or something like that. A closed loop system uses a much larger pump (Mag 9, etc.) than what can be provided by a single powerhead to pull water from the tank and moves it around to different portions of the tank.

As far as I know, the only application for CO2 is in a Calcium Reactor...but I could be wrong.

Sumps and/or Fuges are always a good idea, even if you don't think you'll need them. They provide more volume plus you can hide your equipment in them.

Again, I'm not familiar with what skimmers are better than others, but I am sure someone will post one. Same goes for a chiller.

Hope that helps...

Welcome to the hobby!

HumanIMDB · 09/26/2006, 09:06 AM

Good Skimmer = Lots of people talk about/run the Coralife Super Skimmer product line.

09/26/2006, 12:37 AM	#1
hatebreed Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 41	Ideal setup for a 260 gallon Softy, zoa, LPS tank? I just scored a 260 gallon tank and I'm wanting to set up a tank for softies, LPS and zoas. I'm probably not interested in any SPS or clams. I have some items figured out but any additional input would be greatly appreciated. Generally speaking I've skimped a little in the past but being a larger and more expensive tank I'd like to have everything I NEED to be successful. Right now I have two lighting options narrowed down. The tank is 30 inches deep. I found these two fixtures on ebay and need to decide which one. Fixture one is 84 inches. 4x400 metal halide with 4x96 PC for a total of 1984 watts. Priced at $969. I'm guessing this is plenty of light no matter what. Fixture one Fixture two is 72 inches. 3x400 metal halide with 2x140 VHO for a total of 1480 watts. Priced at $799. This would leave me lacking by 6 inches on either side but I'm thinking the light should penetrate that far to the sides so the question is if there is sufficient light here. Fixture two Either light can have 250 watt ballasts substituted. I would like to know if 400 watt halides will be needed to keep my choice of livestock as outlined above or if you think 250's would be better. I don't want to overpower the light, assuming this is even possible on this size setup. So any lighting input would be appreciated. I am somewhat set on having a neptune AC3 pro but depending on what I need maybe a AC3. For this setup, would a calcium reactor be needed or will nutrients from the salt mix with water changes suffice? If a calcium reactor would be needed, maybe explain to me what the benefit is and suggest an appropriate model. Next up is water circulation. I really did like the Seios but they apparently don't work with the AC3. I've also seen good feedback in the Tunze, but they look like pretty ordinary powerheads and pack a bigger price tag? What about these powerheads makes them superior? What is your suggestion for water circulation on this tank?

09/26/2006, 12:43 AM	#2
hatebreed Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 41	I also saw on the AC3pro that you can control an ozonizer and a co2 injector? I am aware of what an ozonizer does and am probably interested in having one for this tank. Can you suggest a good ozonizer? Also what is a CO2 injector and where can they be found? Is this just a reference to the CO2 control on a calcium reactor or is there an actual CO2 injector system that goes directly to the tank? Also, filtration. Up until now I've run just live rock as filtration. I have a chance to grab a couple HOB overflows and refugiums for the tank at $100 each. They look to be around 30 gallons each. I've debated running these with DSB and some tpe of macro algae. Given that I have a tendency to understock fish will these be needed and what would the benefits be? Is it unwise to run live rock only filtration on this type of setup? I really like to keep it simple, but will definitely try out the sump/refugium thing if it must be done to be successful. Also, entering the world of larger tanks, what type of skimmer would be good? Lastly, with the halides I will probably need a chiller. Any suiggestions? I think this covers the majority of my questions, but please feel free to add anything I've overlooked. If I've overlooked any significant pieces of equipment in my excitement please suggest those as well. I appreciate any help and look forward to your responses! Last edited by hatebreed; 09/26/2006 at 01:03 AM.

09/26/2006, 06:47 AM	#4
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Let me start by saying I am not an expert but I will share my limited knowledge... From what I've read so far, it looks like that would be more than enough light for anything you would like to keep. You may even find that you will have to provide shade for those that require less light; mushrooms, etc. You don't NEED a Calcium Reactor, but you will need to dose your tank if you don't use one...just one less thing you don't have to worry about. Sorry I don't know of any models to suggest...maybe in a year or two I will worry about those. For circulation, if I had a tank that big, I would drill/plumb it for a closed loop and use an Oceans Motion (http://www.oceansmotions.com) or something like that. A closed loop system uses a much larger pump (Mag 9, etc.) than what can be provided by a single powerhead to pull water from the tank and moves it around to different portions of the tank. As far as I know, the only application for CO2 is in a Calcium Reactor...but I could be wrong. Sumps and/or Fuges are always a good idea, even if you don't think you'll need them. They provide more volume plus you can hide your equipment in them. Again, I'm not familiar with what skimmers are better than others, but I am sure someone will post one. Same goes for a chiller. Hope that helps... Welcome to the hobby! __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

09/26/2006, 09:06 AM	#5
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Good Skimmer = Lots of people talk about/run the Coralife Super Skimmer product line. __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

09/26/2006, 12:46 AM	#3
hatebreed Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 41	One last question as well. What do people mean when they say "closed loop" system? It sounds like it might be superior and I'm curious what it means and why it is good.