Tank size question

[sufunk]

Im getting a new tank to set up as a reef. I can get either a 210 g 72Lx30Dx24W or a 180g 72x24x24. They are both the same price($20 difference). The only problem i have with the 210 is the depth. Will it affect my lighting if i want clams or spr with my lps. Im getting 3x250mh 4x96pc coralife lights. What would you guys get?? the 210 or 180 and why?

 

[saltfan]

210g, more water volume. The MH you are planning on putting on either tank will do good with either one.

 

[sufunk]

I know nothing about big tanks. What do i need to make sure it has to be a reef tank? It has two overflows, what else?

 

[turningtim]

Usually I would say the bigger the better. But I just helped someone set up a 120 tall that was 30" deep. I always liked the look of a tall tank but I would have to say what a pain in the butt to work on it. I'm an average guy about 6' and reaching the bottom is almost impossible. Its nice to look at but I would never get a tank that tall just b/c of the reach issuse. Also the deeper you go the bigger the lights have to be. Don't really know if the 250's will get that deep.
JMO
HTH
Tim

 

[sufunk]

Thats what i was thinking also. I can just get to the bottom of a 24, on a 30" id have my shoulder in the water.
Turningtim, what should i make sure the tank has to be reef ready? Is regular cross bracing ok or should i be trying to get euro bracing?

 

[turningtim]

Well that really depends on you. Are you going custom or pre-built? What are your choices? From what I have seen with euro brace, they still have cross braces but are glass. I assume we're talking about glass? are you going RR? Center OF or 2 off center or corners?
Tim

 

[sufunk]

I dont know except that i want glass. Im trying to find a pre built with euro bracing. Is that possible or is euro bracing always custom? I want a reef so i need 2 overflows,correct? offset or corners dont really matter to me.
Like i said, i dontt know anything about big tanks but i want this to be my main display for years, no more upgrading, so i want to make sure it has everything i need for a reef.

 

[turningtim]

Check out Glass Cages dot com! See what you like! Also search the archives for plumbing 101. squidd did a great job of explaining the ins and outs of a full system. Its long but a great read. I would strongly suggest doing a lot of home work on this. I/we can only offer opinions. You have to decide! Its your tank and there are several ways to set up a reef tank. Is there one better than the other. Don't really know! I have my thoughts but other members are just as successful with different set-ups. Your tank, your call.......
Just see what makes good sense to you and really decide which way you want to go and stick with it. From what it sounds like I totally agree, do it once and do it right!
No worries I will be around to help if you want. I honestly don't know if I'm more addicted to SWF then my own tank!
HTH
Tim

 

[sufunk]

Can you get a pre built with euro bracing? can you get euro bracing with glass?

 

[murph145]

heres my 180 before i set it up
its the common size 6'x2'x2'
i would only go wider not deeper on a reef tank otherwise ur guna need 400W's to keep clams and sps at the bottom
i personally like wider anyways but the 180 is a great tank!
i got mine for $1200 which inluded using a 1/2" clearview flat polished glass to be more close to starphire
a black backing with euro pracing around the perimeter makes it so easy to not hnave a cross brace i can reach in and grab anything outta my tank without having the cross brace
it came with a center overflow box and all the plumming for the sump return was drilled to go through the center of the overflow box to conceal it....
i then added 6 holes to accomidated 1" bulkhead 2 were for the CL exit and 4 for the CL return using an Oceans Motion 4 way and it works great no powerhead in the tank and all corals soft hard and in betweeen are loving the flow
by the time i added the extra holes and tax it was at like $1375 its a great tank and looks just as good!

 

[sufunk]

Very nice! I think i read its a lee mar? is that right?
Theres so many things i dont know about big systems. Its very intimidating and frustrating trying to figure out what kind of tank to get and what it has to have to be a great reef. Then where to buy one from :help:

 

[murph145]

yeah i think i told u about it on another thread but its a top manufacturer out here in southern cali thats what most people try to get
but i think i would go with the 180 as to a tall 210 or if u want go wider than deeper

 

[sufunk]

Yeah, i agree, i think 30 deep is just to much. Ill be swimming every tine i gotta spot feed something. Im looking at a 225g 72Lx30Wx24d. Its pretty sweet but $1500 + shipping. Thats alot of scratch considering then i still need a really big stand.

 

[murph145]

make ur own stand if at all possible i made my stand and canopy for my tank cost me about $350 in materials and i made the panels outta american cherry
very easy too took me about 16hrs all together of after work messin around in the garage

 

[phixer]

Every time I see that picture, I have to look twice. It looks great. Probably saved a ton of money and did a better job by DIY.
For a reef tank wider is usually better than deep. The reason; light penetrates shallow water better and a wider tank will generally have a better CO2 exchange rate due to the larger surface area. I still like the look of deep tanks though.

 

[sufunk]

Very nice Murph

, tell me where to send the check for $350 and how long it will take for you to make me a stand!

 

[murph145]

thanks guys!
yeah i figured they wanted to charge me something like $600 for an oak stand then another $250 for a canopy that was funa be too small and only have a piano top instead of a front removeable panle like mine....
same with the stand i made it with all 4 removeable panels for easy access
yeah im pleased how it came out
if i had to do it again i would probably made the stand another 6" taller but it works the way it is now :happyfish
hey if u lived close i would help u out they are really simple to build if u ever need any ideas or anything let me know ive got pics on how i made it and all the materials its worth u trying urself

 

[sufunk]

Thank you very much for the offer, i may just have to take you up on that. If i get the tank im looking at, ill probably have to try and build my own rather than spend another god knows what for a 72x30 stand.
For the tank, what do i need to make sure it has to be a nice reef with lps and some sps? 2 overflows? what else?

 

[turningtim]

Very nice murph! Love that set-up!
Su, that 225 sounds cool. Is it a custom? Love to have that width.
Tim

 

[murph145]

u dont need two overflows but u can do a center one if u want depends on what ur lookin for...
u can do two smaller corner ones or a larger center overflow up to u id rather do a center one its less chance for leaking and less plumming IMO
well if u wanna keep sps its a hole nother monster
ur guna need a nice size skimmer, something like mine im running an ASM-G4 skimmer in my sump
ur guna need lots of flow on the order of 25X's plus depending either by utilizing a closed loop system with some sea swirls or what i have an Oceans Motion 4 way they allow for more of a random flow pattern than just a straight return from the pump
ur guna need some good lighting at least some 250W MH's id say on that tank do 3 if ur electric bill isnt crazy like here in so cal.... i only run 2 due to my electic bill already costing me an extra $100 a month for my tank the way it is now another MH would increase it by another 30 a month! but all my sps, clams, softies, lps and anything else is doing just fine but i run DE's
id say if u want some sps and clams ur guna need a calcium reactor too a dual chambered one is better i have the MRC-CR2 works great i never dose anything for calcium or alk
id say id invest in a UV filter too thats more up to u but i think they help
ur prob guna need a chiller too
there lots of things lol take it one at a time learn what u want and go from there
u have any questions ask here i spent many hours researching and i have a similar tank to what ur wanting so feel free to ask ive got some good opinions once in a while lol