New Tank Build - Advice appreciated!

[DCG1286]

So it's finally here ... my new 150!!! :wink:

My friend just dropped it off about an hour ago so now the preparations for setting this bad boy up begins!

Anyways ... I am looking to upgrade my current equipment from my 120.

Here are my thoughts ...

Custom Sump ... 48x16x16 (the original owner had this size sump and suggested I do the same ... He kept his since he upgraded to a 220 and needed it)

Return Pump: Iwaki 30RLXT (my friend was generous to give this to me with the set up ... didn't expect it ... but this was the pump he used for this tank)

Flow: 3 Vortech Mp-40W's (I already have two of them)

Skimmer: ATI Bubblemaster 250 (I currently have a Euro-Reef CS8-2 ... I don't think this is sufficient for this new tank ... plus it doesn't look like it will fit under the stand!)

Lighting: 3x 250W Lumenarc Pendants (SE) with Coralvue dimmable ballasts Reeflux 12K Bulbs ... I am thinking of going with LED's for actinic supplement (although I can live without actinics for a while)

I want to go Bare bottom on this tank but we will see how long that lasts. :)

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thank you so much! :tongue:

-David

 

[DCG1286]

Here are a couple pictures of the tank and stand ... got quite a bit of cleaning up to do tonight ... but that's ok. :)

 

[MarvinsReef]

first off... congrats!!!! :)

going BB, probably gonna do SPS then? and what are the dimensions of the tank? probably 6" x 2" x 2"? thought of getting 20k Radiums? I love those bulbs... if I ever go back to MH, I won't go any other route but 20k Radiums... :)

 

[DCG1286]

first off... congrats!!!! :)

going BB, probably gonna do SPS then? and what are the dimensions of the tank? probably 6" x 2" x 2"? thought of getting 20k Radiums? I love those bulbs... if I ever go back to MH, I won't go any other route but 20k Radiums... :)

Thanks Marvin! Yeah ... I decided to take the dive into a 6ft'er. :)

Oh yes ... of course the dimensions ... duh ... lol ... it's 72x18x30" ... so it is a tall tank ... 400W MH would be ideal ... but this tank was running as a full SPS tank from the previous owner with the 250's. Radium 20K's ... I have heard only great things about these bulbs ... and the look is very nice ... now you have me thinking ... 20K's may be the way to go!

Yes this will be an SPS dominant tank ... which my 120 is now ... but I am regretting the fact that I added sand to the 120 hence the decision to go BB in this new tank. The sand gets blown up every now and again ... pain in the butt! :)

 

[MarvinsReef]

Thanks Marvin! Yeah ... I decided to take the dive into a 6ft'er. :)

Oh yes ... of course the dimensions ... duh ... lol ... it's 72x18x30" ... so it is a tall tank ... 400W MH would be ideal ... but this tank was running as a full SPS tank from the previous owner with the 250's. Radium 20K's ... I have heard only great things about these bulbs ... and the look is very nice ... now you have me thinking ... 20K's may be the way to go!

Yes this will be an SPS dominant tank ... which my 120 is now ... but I am regretting the fact that I added sand to the 120 hence the decision to go BB in this new tank. The sand gets blown up every now and again ... pain in the butt! :)

ah.. yeah, that's a tall tank... if it was me, I would go 400w 20k Radiums... ;)

 

[Murfman]

I run Reeflux 12 Ks and love them!! Congrats on the tank!

 

[Kbra]

thats a butt load of flow

 

[Fragged_it]

thats a butt load of flow

Yeah it is. My piggy bank is working it's way to footing the bill on a vortech :P

 

[DCG1286]

hahaha ... yeah it's quite a bit of flow ... I will see how the tank is with just the 2 Vortech's before purchasing a 3rd ... maybe I won't need it!

ANyways ... I ordered my 40L Sump last night ... it should be here next Thursday. :)

 

[Murfman]

I run a full size and a nano Tunze wave box in my 300, get a 3-4" wave!!!! My buddy tried 2 Vortech MP40s on his 250 and within a week was running the full size wave box!

 

[pitbullguy]

Nice tank!
I have a wavebox with a slave tunze on my 240 and love it, it is also bb. You will love the bb with the vortechs I am sure as you will be able to put your flow anywhere you want and it will keep detritus suspended for removal.
Are you using anything on the bottom? I used starboard on mine as I was a little nervous to have all my rock on the bare glass. I used 2 milk crates on the left and right side of the tank and built my live rock around them. Then I added a maxi mod on top of each one blowing down which in turn blasts all the detritus out of the cavity and into the the water column for easy removal by the skimmer. My favorite thing about the milk crates is for all the room it gives the fish, it is 2 big caves for them to feel safe in as well as swim through. They swim into their caves constantly, it also allowed me to use less rock.
Cant wait to see the progress. Good luck. :)

 

[DCG1286]

Nice tank!
I have a wavebox with a slave tunze on my 240 and love it, it is also bb. You will love the bb with the vortechs I am sure as you will be able to put your flow anywhere you want and it will keep detritus suspended for removal.
Are you using anything on the bottom? I used starboard on mine as I was a little nervous to have all my rock on the bare glass. I used 2 milk crates on the left and right side of the tank and built my live rock around them. Then I added a maxi mod on top of each one blowing down which in turn blasts all the detritus out of the cavity and into the the water column for easy removal by the skimmer. My favorite thing about the milk crates is for all the room it gives the fish, it is 2 big caves for them to feel safe in as well as swim through. They swim into their caves constantly, it also allowed me to use less rock.
Cant wait to see the progress. Good luck. :)

Everyone keeps telling me to get a Tunze Wavebox ... hmmmmm ... actually I found a great deal on one on my local site ... I may have to hit them up for it. I will have to get my hands on some starboard ... I fully agree ... it always makes me nervous putting the LR straight down on the glass.

I got all the plumbing supplies I will need for the return ... the drain is all ready to go ... just waiting on my sump to arrive (Thursday) ... got an extra bucket of salt ready to go ... time to start making some new water. A friend of mine is giving me roughly 200lbs of LR from his old systems ... so with the LR I already have from my 120 ... I won't need to buy anymore, but I am a fan of the minimal look ... too much LR isn't very attractive IMO. I wish I could still get my hands on Tonga rock!