265 gallon tank

[clownfish1452]

I am thinking of buying a 265 gallon tank and i was wondering what kind of equipment i would need.
This is what i have found on line.
wet/dry with bio balls
2 (6) foot skimmers
(4) 802 powerheads
(6) heaters 300w each
(2) large air pumps
I wanted to know if I need any thing else.
Thank You
Sarah

 

[melbournefl]

lights? what are the tank's dimensions?
Later,
Paul

 

[jester]

well it all depends what you want to keep. If your looking at a reef, the best lights are metal halides. These lights will eliminate the need for the heaters.

 

[shadow678]

Are you set on wet/dry filtration, or are you open to other suggestions? If you are, then instead of regular bio-pin balls, go with FilStar Bio-Chem Stars, they are by far superior, and you don't have to adjust the water level in your wet/dry to get the proper oxygen exchange. If you are open to other filtering options, you may want to consider the modified Berlin method. This is where you lay down a live sand bed 4-6 inches thick, and add approximately 1.75 pounds of live rock per gallon of water, whcih would be about 460 pounds of rock. Add a high-quality protein skimmer, and some power heads for water movement, and you don't need any other type of filtration. Antoher option would be canister filters. Fluval makes a good line of canister filters. As far as heat is concerned, only 3 300 watt heaters should be needed, as 300-watt heaters will handle 100 gallons each. As for an air pump, if you get a Luft air pump, you would likely only need 1, they are very powerful, adjustable, and efficient, not to mention quiet.

 

[clownfish1452]

i really like fluval because i already have three in my other tanks 27 hex, 55, and 60 hex but i did know if they would be good but i would like to use fluval do you think i would need two one for each side.
measurements 84x24x30
Thanks
Sarah

 

[shadow678]

For a tank that size, I would go with 3 Fluval 404's. They are each rated to properly filter 100 gallons, but it is a good idea to have your tank slightly over-filtered, as due to variants, your filter may run at less-than-optimal at times. I agree, Fluvals are very good canister filters, I use 2 404's and a 304 on my 200gal grouper tank.

 

[clownfish1452]

So they work good with groupers. because i have one small grouper, sweet lips, and puffer. so i have messy fish. three would work good
thank you
sarah

 

[shadow678]

No problem. Good luck with your tank!

 

[wamp]

Another opinion...
A big wet/dry IMO would be a better choice. The oxygen exchange in these is far better than any canister style filter. The maintance is Minium, close to none. The water level is easy to control. The electricity is less. Less moving parts. More space for in sump equipment such as skimmers or carbon bags. More flexability in setup.
Down fall, EVAPORATION.. much higher.
Please correct me if I am wrong but don't the chemi-stars degrade with time? Or are they plastic.

 

[shadow678]

The Chem-Stars don't degrade, they are made from a very porous polymer. Wet/dry filters are a good filter choice as well, and easily altered to add extra features such as UV sterilization and protein skimming without cluttering the tank.

 

[splash1914]

dont waste your money on heaters unless you live in alaska...

 

[samssaltwater]

I live in New York it gets pretty cold here and we have hot water baseboard heat that uses oil. So we keep are heat at 65 in the winter so are house is not to warm.
Sarah

 

[joerdie]

depending on the lights that you use you wont need heaters as stated above even if the house is 50-60 degrees. but IMO a wet dry would do soooooo much better than the canister. nothing against canisters (i have 2 on my 55g reef) but there arent many setup options and it is very hard to modify

 

[melbournefl]

I know I'm new to the saltwater scene but I just have to say that I can't imagine having a tank of any size in an environment that gets into the 60's without a heater. Come on now, it's what 3 300watt heaters? Even if they NEVER come on where else can you get insurance that cheap?
Just my opinion.
Later, Paul

 

[jester]

If room temp is at 60, then I might get 1 or maybbe 2.
But the more heaters you have, the more chanc yo have of a faliure. (electrical shoch and more common, failing on and having a fish boil)

 

[melbournefl]

that's really strange you say that Jester, everything I've read to date highly recommends multiple heaters for that very reason. The thought being that if one small heater sticks on or off it would have less impact than have one large one.
Again, must my opinion, later,
Paul

 

[splash1914]

the house is in the 60's!! what the... do you walk around the house in a jacket? maybe I lived in Florida too long... again a tank that size the temp shouldnt be a problem... if it was a small tank then I would say get a heater... my tank is always 78-80 all year round....

 

[clownfish1452]

my house really is comfy only having in the 60's but i have lived this way my whole life so. that is why i like it maybe. but i just wanted to thank everyone for your help.
sarah
i'm sure i will have more questions with this new set up

 

[splash1914]

thanks nolo, that pic was taken on my birthday! I came to find my wife and dog waiting for me with birthday hats on!