210 Gallon Reef Build...Opinion Thread!!

[phiberop840]

Hello All,

I Have found a perfect shape Oceanic 210 reef ready tank and a bunch of goodies to go with it. I am posting this thread to get some ideas and opinions on my new setup. Here are the details and questions. Oh yeah, fish, Lots of LR, a mix of softies and some stoneys, just an all around good and healthy reef is the goal.

210 Gallon I want to build a wall around it so I have a picture frame type of finish to it. Any thought on doing the front side only or front and 2 sides??

I will be drilling the floor and I am building a wet room for the sump, QT, RODI storage and my custom water change system.

Thoughts on Sump size or recommended sumps? 55? 90? 120?

I was thinking of this lighting, http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...rodID=332&HS=1 Let me know what you think of that setup?? Has anyone ordered from here before?

Here is a tough one. I cannot decide what to do for the bottom, DSB, Bare bottom.....its driving me nuts. I have not had much good luck with the sand bed and have done well with the Bare Bottom.... I really like the Look of a DSB. thoughts on this would be great.

This is just a start to the real build thread that will come very shortly. I have a Van full of stuff to be unloaded in the morning and then we are off to Home Depot for wood to start the Wet Room. I PROMISE alot of pictures on this, Camera is charged and ready to go for tomorrow!!

Mike

[dobejazz]

Congrats Mike !
I would go with the largest sump possible more volume = more stabilty
Honestly I've never heard any good about those lights or vendor but I have no first hand experience

[phiberop840]

The lights worry me at that price. They look so much like the Coralife ones that are like 1400.00, and I have used with great success. Let hope someone chimes in on this one that has used them or seen them before.

Mike

[dobejazz]

Here are a couple threads search aquatraders here on TRT there are quite a few threads

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showth...ht=aquatraders

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showth...ht=aquatraders

[VWD]

I agree with Kelli on the Lights, More then likely you will be very unhappy with them. most people are unhappy with them,

[Hendersonracing]

Id run the 12 k reeflux bulbs on lumenex/ reflectors....Ill post a few pics of my 210 in a few minutes with my new bulbs and reflectors!

[phiberop840]

Cool I would like to see that. Well the construction started today and I have some pictures now. I will start my Build thread this evening.

Mike