My 250 gallon hobby!

jdpierce21 · 07-20-2006, 12:10 AM

Hi everyone!

I am new to the hobby and new to The Reef Tank.

I am in the process of having a 250 gallon salt water aquarium custom built. I have documented my game plan, if you will, and would appreciate any feedback.

Please let me know your thoughts on my plan. Please be completely honest as you will not hurt my feelings. I am still learning everyday about this hobby!

Thanks in advance,
Joe

dobejazz · 07-20-2006, 12:12 AM

Welcome to TRT Joe ! Looks like it will be an impressive set up !

jdpierce21 · 07-20-2006, 12:18 AM

Hi Kelli. Thanks for the feedback!

Fly Guy · 07-20-2006, 12:23 AM

Welcometo TRT!!

looks SWEET!!

The only place i see you might want to reconsider is the pump running your closed loop(im assuming closed loop) spraybar. You could use a LOT more total waterflow in a tank that size. I would recommend something more like a sequence barracuda (4500 gph)and since you dont seem to be cutting any corners, might as well throw a Oceans motions 4-way or 8 way on that poump and you can run 6 OTHER lines, alternating along with that spraybar to get a sweet random flow in the tank.

thats what i just did on a 225...every lkine you see here is for the cls with the exception of the straight pipe across the top.....thats my sump returns. the only pipes in this tank are the spraybars

Even if you dont go with an OM, i would still reconsider that 1800 gph pump and add at least a couple more oputlets to your cls besides the spraybars.

One other thing is maybe NOT do the crushed coral or live sand. Starting fresh is a luxury and you should take advantage of it. Id go 100% aragonite and maybe seed it with 5 or ten pounds of live...or just be patient and let it become live on its own. With adequate healthy rock, it is not necessary to be live right off the bat assuming you dont add a bunch of fish immediately. Plus, it is cheaper than live sand.

jdpierce21 · 07-20-2006, 12:29 AM

Thanks for the advise! I will strongly consider that. I don't want to cut any corners, because I only want to pay for this once!!! Also, I want a lot of waterflow so I will talk with the guy building my tank. Thanks again!

Confused Korean · 07-20-2006, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

One other thing is maybe NOT do the crushed coral or live sand. Starting fresh is a luxury and you should take advantage of it. Id go 100% aragonite and maybe seed it with 5 or ten pounds of live...or just be patient and let it become live on its own. With adequate healthy rock, it is not necessary to be live right off the bat assuming you dont add a bunch of fish immediately. Plus, it is cheaper than live sand.

um you told me that it was ok to start with dead crushed coral? im confused now...

Fly Guy · 07-20-2006, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Confused Korean

um you told me that it was ok to start with dead crushed coral? im confused now...

wasnt I.........crushed coral collects detritus and is very difficult to vacuum if need be

afbengochea · 07-20-2006, 09:21 AM

I know its a large tank, but wont to dwarf angels be a bad idea?

Little Luey · 07-20-2006, 10:03 AM

Welcome to TRT!!

Nice plan for a nice tank.
I also tought about the angels possibly fighting, may have to keep an eye on them just to be sure.
I think before adding the six line and the mandaring you should let the tank settle and produce lots of pods because both fish will eat them and if there aren't enough they will eat all of them. So maybe add those after a few months, unless they are eating frozen foods.

Loverotties · 07-20-2006, 10:31 AM

Welcome to TRT! looks like a sweet set-up!

deathmatch782 · 07-20-2006, 01:46 PM

Looks like its going to be a nice setup.

May think again about the six lines and mandarins. All 4 of those fish will be competing for the same food source, so it may not work out.
Having two angels in that large of a tank should be fine, but may present a problem with fighting.

jdpierce21 · 07-20-2006, 02:30 PM

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the feedback. I do appreciate it. I will wait on the angels maybe only go with the coral beauty. But, will they pick at my corals as well? I plan on waiting probably about 8 months or so for the mandarins. And will probably only get 1 6-line. Should hopefully that will help. Also, the refug should to produce their food, correct? Also do you think this is too many fish or could I have more or does it just depend on the water quality as I add the bioload?

Thanks again,
Joe

Fly Guy · 07-20-2006, 02:38 PM

I think the anount of fish you want is more than fine. Im not sure about the angels and being reef safe......ive never had one but iu have heard of a lot of issues with them. I think youre right on as far as adding a mandarin after your tank gets settled and full of pods and then adding a six line when you AGAIN see mass amounts of pods after adding the mandarin. I would almost consider adding the sixline first because he doesnt ONLY eat pods and you could add him earlier.

jdpierce21 · 07-20-2006, 02:46 PM

I think I will do so. I am thinking about the following timeline:

First, I plan to setup the tank and add the live rock and substrate. Let that run and cure the rock for about 6 to 8 weeks. Then, add the cleaning crew. Let it run another 4 to 6 weeks. Then, add the Blue Reef Chromis. Let is run another 2 to 4 weeks. After that I would then slowly add additional fish and corals.

Do you think this will work? Do you think I need to wait that long before adding the cleaning crew?

Fly Guy · 07-20-2006, 02:47 PM

IMO your ready to add a cleaning crew once your ammonia and nitrItes are zero.