I need help with a plan..

[jester]

I purchased a 155 bf tank. I plan on moving in 3 months, so i'm not going to set it up yet. I have a 45 now, emporer 400, seaclone, & 2 power heads. It is inhabited with a fire shrimp, clarkii clown, black volitan (baby) and yellow tang, I do not have any lr/ls, but plan to in the bf. I would like to keep it more of a f/o tank, but i do want some coral.
my questions...
how much lr/ls?
if i get another emporer 400 & another seaclon will it be enough?

 

[mr . salty]

A tank that large you are really better off installing a SUMP,and putting some mechanical filteration in there.Those hang ons will have a dificult time keeping up with that kind of water volume.The same goes for the seaclones.Why get two substandard skimmers that will be trouble,when one GOOD one will work perfectly...This is a big tank,,,Big tanks require BIG equiptment.Big equiptment cost big bucks.But you have time on your side.Start shopping around,planning,and please don;t skimp....For sand you will need at least 100-150 lbs.Live rock will be about the same.But the rock can be added slowly.Start with 45-50lbs,and add more whenever you can...

 

[jester]

Since this is going to be my first big tank, I do want to make sure I do it right. Big dollars now, save huge dollars (and frustration) later. I big of a sump should I build? I have read some of the archieves here, but havn't found anything to gauge the size. Also, I saw a topic starter on how someone should give a how to on sumps, but never saw anything on how to. Can you help me out?

 

[bbreaux1]

if you shop around on the internet you can find equipment for alot cheaper than in the lfs even after shipping i saved about 200+ on an emperor400,prizm skimmer,and two powerheads by ordering them online

 

[ebeckels]

Originally posted by bbreaux1:
<strong>if you shop around on the internet you can find equipment for alot cheaper than in the lfs even after shipping i saved about 200+ on an emperor400,prizm skimmer,and two powerheads by ordering them online</strong><hr></blockquote>
How could you possibly save $200!!! I'm adding the 4 things u said up in my head...and a rough esitmate puts the total to around $200....so how did u save over 200 by purchasing the stuff online???? was it free? let's say the prizm is 70 + 80 for 2 Awesome powerheads (that's really over exagerating the price too) +50 for the emperor filter...that adds up to $200...once again...how did u then save $ 200?? and what was ur LFS charging?

 

[von_rahvin]

A tank that size it is never a good thing to under do it. get the bigest sump you can throw underneath it. get a big mean skimmer. like a berlin turbo. you should not really have a lion in a reef tank. also when that lion gets biugger it will eat everything. I feed my lion live sw shrimp and small fish. also if you are new at this type of stuff oyu are going to go into shock when you see how much the bulds cost. figure if you are going to go for a reef the tank is going to start out without anything in it for like 6000 and that is if you shop around and build your own stuff. lr is a killer as are the lights. you will be looking for close to a grand in the lights if you want a reef.
FO are much cheaper. personally i LOVE reef tanks but the amount that they cost will stagger you. also get all your lr in one batch that way you are not cycling you tank for a while. you do not have to buy all ls you can do 1/2 and 1/2 ls a ds. ds will become live after a few months. got anyother questions email me
later

 

[jester]

So,
120# of nature oceen l/s
50# fiji l/r
berlin turbo x/l protien skimmer
I need a picture of a sump that has what I,m going to need in it. I plan on making it out of fiberglass, are there any concerns I shoud know about? <img src="graemlins//confused2.gif" border="0" alt="[confused2]" />

 

[jester]

Ohh, and I'm going to purchase all the material here if possible. SWF has enlightened me. I have learned more in the last few weeks than I have in the last few years!!! I was never able to find a lfs i could trust, but know i know what to look for.
thanks and I'm glad to be a part of it now.

 

[daluminum]

Eric, Im trying to do the math too.. doesnt seem to calculate.. let me know where those free powerheads are..
I wouldnt do the sump out of fiberglass.. WAY more work than its worth.. just spend $100 on a 55 long and put it underneath your tank.. you can then divide it into 3 sections to make a sump/refugium.. there are a million and 3 ways to make a sump.. but bassically..
1. Get the water into the sump fromt he main tank
2. mechanical filter with gauze or anything.
3. go through a protein skimmer.
4. heat the water.
5. calcium if its a reef.
6. return the water..
And the order is not set.. well #1 and #6 should be done in that order.. haha.. but you get the point.