220 Build thread!!!

[thetuppins]

Hey, just ordered my new 220 for delivery on the 17th, and being new to the hobby (saltwater at least) wanted to make sure my fish selections wont find their tankmates an expensive live food....

here is my fish list as of now, feel free to destroy it in any way deemed necessary!:

1- yellow tang
1- hippo tang
1- clown or sohal surgeonfish
1- atlantic blue tang (possibly)
1- green mandarinfish (after the tank is established for a while)
2- false percula clowns (mated pair)
1- flame angel
1- coral beauty
1- copperband butterfly
8-10 - green chromis

***also, i am looking at a very good protein skimmer to handle the load, anyone have any preferences on them? my pick as of now is this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Welcome to TRT!
Congrats on the build!
Are you considering a reef? LPS, SPS, Softies?
If so, the butterfly 'may' be a concern. Also yes, with the mandarin I would wait about 5-6 months. FYI, if someone says that they will eat frozen, non-living food...
Tell them to show you before you buy!

Cheeres,

[thetuppins]

yeah, im definitely going to make sure it eats for me in the store, and would it be better to go with a copperband or a yellow longnose, in terms of reef compatibility (for i am doing a reef, though starting with softies/ lowlight for equipment purposes)?

[crvz]

Welcome aboard!

The ASM G-4 is ok, but I don't think I'd use it on a heavily stocked 220 (and with three tangs, plus the number of other fish, I think you'd easily qualify for heavily stocked!). While I'm sure costs are a factor, consider something along the lines of the ATI BubbleMaster 250, maybe the ReefFlo Orca 200, or if you like the ASM I'd go with at least the G-5 (or similarly sized EuroReef skimmer).

In terms of fish, I'd possibly reconsider the Clown or Sohal tang (very similar fish, mostly just from different locations). They will become very dominant, and may not tolerate the other tangs you're hoping for. There are other acanthurus species tangs that would be better choices, such as the mimic, powder brown, white cheek, or maybe even a powder blue.

And while that butterfly is reef safe, they can be very hard to acclimate to tank foods, and often die of starvation in the first few months. While some folks have very good track records, I wouldnt be surprised if 1 in 10 of these fish don't live past 6 months in captivity (not accounting for shipping and collecting losses). And with the pair of madarins, you may find that the copperbanded and the mandarins will compete for food, which is never good.

Hope I havent been too discouraging, just want to make sure you've got the full story behind the fish you're looking at! They are definitely more challenging (I've lost a couple copperbands myself), and I'd hate for you to regret a purchase or otherwise wish you knew before hand. Good luck with the build, and keep us posted!!!

[frankandmaura]

You might want to look at the Octopus Pro 250. It is slightly more expensive...but I think it is going to be a very good skimmer.

http://www.oceansaquariums.com/produ...5550oip7umkh34

[crvz]

Originally Posted by thetuppins

yeah, im definitely going to make sure it eats for me in the store, and would it be better to go with a copperband or a yellow longnose, in terms of reef compatibility (for i am doing a reef, though starting with softies/ lowlight for equipment purposes)?

The copperband would be much more compatible, but again, they're tricky. One that I bought even ate freeze dried krill at the store, and when I brought it home it wouldnt eat anything.

[thetuppins]

actually i was looking into the octopus skimmers... Does anyone know what the 250 is rated for?

thanks for all the suggestions and help btw! even after all the research ive done i guess it doesnt make up for experience... i feel like such a noob!

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Not sure, I have an octo nw-200 that is rated for 200gallons and am using it on a 120. You could 'in theory' use 2x nw-200's or 2x nw-150's. That would give you all the skimming you would need and more.

[frankandmaura]

Originally Posted by thetuppins

actually i was looking into the octopus skimmers... Does anyone know what the 250 is rated for?

thanks for all the suggestions and help btw! even after all the research ive done i guess it doesnt make up for experience... i feel like such a noob!

This skimmer is supposed to rival the Bubble Master 250 which is rated for 500+ gallons...you might want to call Octopus to see though...I can't find where it is listed.

The 250 does not mean anything as far as the rating goes (I have the Octopus Extreme TS-150 and that is rated for 200+ gals).

[frankandmaura]

Originally Posted by thetuppins

actually i was looking into the octopus skimmers... Does anyone know what the 250 is rated for?

thanks for all the suggestions and help btw! even after all the research ive done i guess it doesnt make up for experience... i feel like such a noob!

This skimmer is supposed to rival the Bubble Master 250 which is rated for 500+ gallons...you might want to call Octopus to see though...I can't find where it is listed.

The 250 does not mean anything as far as the rating goes (I have the Octopus Extreme TS-150 and that is rated for 200+ gals).

[motorslave]

One thing to consider is this, manuacturers over rate thier skimmers. If its rated at 200g, I would consider it for a 150 max. Dont worry about getting something too big. you wont.

[frankandmaura]

And don't feel bad about being a noob - I think I am a perpetual noob...learning something every day!

[motorslave]

Originally Posted by frankandmaura

And don't feel bad about being a noob - I think I am a perpetual noob...learning something every day!

Yup! I think there are only a handfull of folks that arent noobs in one way or another. But even the newest of "noobs" make great contributions around here!

[thetuppins]

Originally Posted by motorslave

Dont worry about getting something too big. you wont.

That wouldnt be my biggest concern, lol. I just want something in the $400-$500 max range that would has enough power to clean the crap out of my tank.... literally

[aquawolf]

Welcome aboard! You are starting things the right way by joining this site and asking questions before doing anything at all. Good luck with your new build and keep us posted as things go along.

Oh yeah, as a friendly notice, the people out here love pictures so be sure to take quite a few to post.