Ideas and Opinions Needed!!!

[FlaEagleFan]

So tomorrow is the day.. Well sorta.. Im going to go pay for my new tank tomorrow, but not picking it up til this weekend. It is a 270 gallon tank. Dimensions are 72x24x36 Its VERY TALL. But, im not sure what im going to do with it yet. I have a few options, but I cannot decide. The only draw back to this tank is, its not drilled. I havent checked to see if the bottom is tempered or not yet, so i dont know if drilling is an option. Not to mention I would be scared to death of breaking the glass....

Anyways, Its the upgrade to my 120 that i have been waiting to do. I will list everything that I have, and hopefully you guys can point me in a direction on what to do with it all... So as of this weekend, this is what I will have in my house to create a monster with...

270g display - not drilled
120g display- 4x2x2 corner overflow
40 gallon acrylic sump
return pump - not sure of the size, its comming with the 270
mag1800 pump
mag700 pump
Sealife systems skimmer - i know this needs to be upgraded
1/4 hp Chiller
Red Sea wave pro
4 x maxi jet 1200's
2 x maxi jet 900's
2 x tunze variable speed pumps,dont know exact size, comming with the 270
72" PC light strip - not sure of bulbs, comes with the 270
48" current lights with 2 x 250watt metal halides, 4 x 96w actinics,4 l.e.d's
350lbs of mixed types of LR
all of the coral from my 120, which is about 20 different types
my fish from the 120, 2 clowns,yellow tang,hippo tang,diamond goby,2 firefish, PJ Cardinal
cleanup crew - appx 100 snails, 5 emerald crabs, 50 blue legs

I think thats it.. I might have forgotten something.. So what do you guys think I should do with it all?!? I will post pics of the tank im getting tomorrow night.

[Fly Guy]

At first glance.....you want a 100 gallon sump. Or at least something that will provide you with a much bigger skimmer chamber.

As far as upgrading your skimmer......go BM-250. For the money it is the best you can do for that tank i think.

[FlaEagleFan]

I knew I would forget something.. well a few things..

it also comes with a large wet/dry. Again im not sure of the specifics. The guy im getting it from has had it setup as a FOWLR for about 4 years. It is still up and running. Also, 2 UV Steralizers


The other thing is that, i do not have a room near where the display is going. So any sump and skimmer I use, is going to have to fit in the stand. The stand is 72" x 24" and is 35" tall.

[FlaEagleFan]

hmm not much input on this... are you guys thinking the big tank isnt a good idea?!?

[Fly Guy]

a bigger tank is aGREAT idea

flaeagle fan.........try this approach


Break it down and list what YOU intend on using for your new system, and how at this point you see it shaping up. we can then take it from there and give some suggestions.

Ill add a few more things......you wont need all that rock. its too much. You have will have a big tank and more aquascaping options. You dont need that much rock....it will do more harm than good

you are going to need 3 400 watt halides if you plan on keeping high light corals. thats a deep tank

i dont like the MJ's. i suggest installing a closed loop or two or all tunzes on a controller. I imagine that tank has some thick glass. Drilling it will be perfectly safe(assuming it isnt tempered which i doubt the walls are)

[ckusnierek]

As far as drilling if you are scared call some glass shops It shouldn't cost too much per hole and they can tell you if its tempered or not. If you can afford it have a custom sump made.

you can sell the wet/dry, all the lighting, some of the pumps and powerheads, your 120 setup and LR to pay for the new stuff you need. If you have 350lbs Lr + whats in your 120 you should only need about 250lbs assuming you have 100lbs in the 120 thats a total of 470lbs if you keep 250 that leaves you with 220lbs to sell. Even at $3/lb thats $660!!! theres youe new lighting. Sell the 120 and get the skimmer.

At least thats what I woul do
HTH

[motorslave]

Great advice Fly! Drill now and you will be very happy with the decision. Even in a simple plumbing design, you need some volume moving around imn that tank. A closed loop is dang neer a must and it provides for more exotic things in the future as you get more and more obsessed with this stuff !

[motorslave]

You too Chris! Posting at same time.