Tank Plans 240g

[Ichthus]

This could be a long thread, but I am planning for my "ULTIMATE REEF TANK". It will be a while before I can get that up and running. A friend suggested that I design what I want now, so that I know what to look for in the next few years in case I find a bargain and my family agreed so that they would know what to get me for Christmas, Birthday, and Fathers Day each year. (Personally, I wanted to include Presidents, Valentines, Memorial, Hanukah, Martin Luther King, July 4th, and Labor Day but I didn't want to press my luck )

So what would I like from you? Help me get the list of what I want. There are so many ideas, and I value your opinions. I understand it will be MY TANK, and each person has their own preference, but some of you have found that certain brands suck and it is best to buy others. I just would like some guidance from your expertise.

It is a Reef Ready 240 gallon. 96x24x24 The tank will be set in front of a wall. All plumbing will be under the stand and NOT into the wall.

1. Do I want to use canisters?

2. PH METER: What about a Ph meter? The controller below might take care of that right?

3. CONTROLLER: I have been looking at the Neptune AquaController. Is this good? Alternatively, is there something better out there to monitor what I need?

4. MOVEMENT: What size Sea swirl would I need for a 240 and how many? Someone said I would want a Wavemaker. I would like to have a "closed loop" type system. I have seen some that have the water flow hidden between the rocks and you can't see anything but rock.

5. CALCIUM REACTOR: What brand/size.

6. CHILLER: What brand/size.

7. LIGHTS: The tanks will be 8 foot long so I am guessing 3 Blue and 3 white PC's. But I am unsure of the MH wattage.

8. UV STERILIZER: What brand/size.

9. SKIMMER: I have no doubt I want a Euro-Reef. I am guessing the ER1137 Model is best for me. Some have upgraded to the 9000 Sedras for the pumps...is that the best thing to do here too?

10. SPRAYBAR: Some have a PVC Spray bar that creates a water flow behind the rocks to push away detritus and gunk. This bar sets on bottom of substrate at back and it has holes drilled in it and is connected to a pump/PH that is hidden.

11. SUMP: Oceanic Reef Ready Model 3.

12. REFUGIUM: I have no idea if I want one, or if I can fit it beside my sump. Need help here too.

13. WHAT ELSE AM I MISSING?

David

[Geoff]

Originally posted by Ichthus
13. WHAT ELSE AM I MISSING?

David

the most important question. what do you want to keep in it. primarily SPS, LPS, clams, all of the above with serious caves.

as for the aquacontroller, i have one and i like it a lot. i do get some false ons/offs during the day. that is my only complaint.

G~

[NewReefer]

http://www.marinedepot.com/a_ch_aqualogic.asp?CartId=

this is really the nicest chiller i've seen yet, and no stainless that can rust.

[NewReefer]

http://www.championlighting.com/e/en...g/hqiebal.html

4 250's HIQ pendants are the latest in technollogy, no PC instead VHO

[NewReefer]

Neptune AquaController has high reviews!

http://www.championlighting.com/e/en...tunze:6110_000

wave movement, these are awesome, very efficient, actually all i sent you is the most efficient in their class!

BTW
I have news for you, I'm already building the Ultimate Reef!
LOL
HOLA!

[Ichthus]

It will be a reef tank and i will have all of the above with serious caves.

NewReefer, on the aquacontroller is that better than the closed loop sysytem or Sea Swirls in your opinion?

This is the stuff I am looking for. Thanks a bunch.

Keep the help coming. My list is still pretty long.
David

[StellaMN]

You should start celebrating Kwanzaa........it is traditional to give a gift every day during the week of celebration....You forgot Easter, Columbus Day, Halloween.....

My money tree got hit by frost this year too....

Jodi

[Geoff]

the aquacontroller is a microprocessor used to control various pieces of equipment around the tank. you can use it to turn on/off CLS's, lights, chillers, and heaters. they are great for just letting things run on their own. for such a large tank i would recommend it.

G~

[Geoff]

as for the lights, i would go with 3 400w-mh along with actinics. this way you can easily keep the high light critters and the low light critters will get plenty of reflections off of the glass and sand.

G~

[Ichthus]

Stupid Question: what is CLS?

So you guys think VHO over PC? I still need 3 white VHO and 3 Actinic?

So what about calcium reactor? Is it worth it?

[thefatman]

without a doubt vho over pc. on a tnak that size though, i'm not really sure how many and what length you'll need.

i belie a calcium reactor is worth it. specially for something that large.

cls = closed loop system.

it's a plumbing in your tank for water circulation using an external pump. gives higher water flow than using powerheds/seaswirls etc.. and will allow you to not clutter up your tank with powerheads.

[NewReefer]

The TUNZE is no seaswearl by far.
3,175gph is quite some movement at 17 whatts, try and find a CSL that can compare but does have one output in the tank.
For aquariums 100 - 500 gallons
pump 12000l/h (3175 gal), wave simulation, foodtimer and an option for operation in night mode
Turbelle ¨ stream 6100 + Singlecontroller 7091

[NewReefer]

http://www.purearagonite.com/ your sand!

http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dyn...om/retail.html

For those custome jobs!

http://kademani.com/reefchem.htm
CA./dkh

http://www.airwaterice.com/Typhoon%20lll.htm

RO/DI unit, a must.
Ok for now?

[NewReefer]

http://www.icecapinc.com/

VHO lighting!

[mojoreef]

1. Do I want to use canisters?
No, maybe for carbon once and a while but that should be it.

2. PH METER: What about a Ph meter? The controller below might take care of that right?
[b]go with the below[b]

3. CONTROLLER: I have been looking at the Neptune AquaController. Is this good? Alternatively, is there something better out there to monitor what I need?
this is the best on the market, I would die with out mine

4. MOVEMENT: What size Sea swirl would I need for a 240 and how many? Someone said I would want a Wavemaker. I would like to have a "closed loop" type system. I have seen some that have the water flow hidden between the rocks and you can't see anything but rock.
[b]I would go with the closed loop, much better then the seaswirl or any drop in PH[b]

5. CALCIUM REACTOR: What brand/size.
[b]Koralinth, but wait until you need it[b]

6. CHILLER: What brand/size.
[b] Aqualogic is a good one, but again I would wait until you know you need one[b]

7. LIGHTS: The tanks will be 8 foot long so I am guessing 3 Blue and 3 white PC's. But I am unsure of the MH wattage.
[b] on the MH's you can go 250's or 400's on a 24 inch deep tank. On a 8 foot tank you are going to need 4 to propery light it. A MH will light a 2 foot square[b]

8. UV STERILIZER: What brand/size.
[b] thiers lost out thier I use Rainbow lifeguard[b]

9. SKIMMER: I have no doubt I want a Euro-Reef. I am guessing the ER1137 Model is best for me. Some have upgraded to the 9000 Sedras for the pumps...is that the best thing to do here too?
[b] sounds good to me[b]

10. SPRAYBAR: Some have a PVC Spray bar that creates a water flow behind the rocks to push away detritus and gunk. This bar sets on bottom of substrate at back and it has holes drilled in it and is connected to a pump/PH that is hidden.
[b] this is also what I have but I use it to return water form my sump and then the closed loop for flow[b]

11. SUMP: Oceanic Reef Ready Model 3.
[b]Make one yourself if you can[b]

12. REFUGIUM: I have no idea if I want one, or if I can fit it beside my sump. Need help here too.
[b] it can be a good idea for algae to use for scrubbers, and a great place for the population of bugs. You can make it so it is attractive or just a rubbermaid . It simple to plumb, a small PH feeding it and the gravity back to the sump or directly to the tank[b]

13. WHAT ELSE AM I MISSING?
[b]tons but its early Best thing to do at this point is to start to draw up some plans so you can figure out what will work and wont.

TUNZE's are nice but a Powerhead is a powerhead

mike