Need help w/ new 300 SPS tank!

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nbd13

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2004
Messages
66
Location
Tecumseh Michigan
Hey guys, well there are some things that i am unhappy with my current 180 setup.

mainly my cusion scratched the glass pretty bad, (my fault since i left the magnet at his reach)

anyway i am taking the oppurtunity to upgrade!

the tank is going to be 60" long by 48" deep by 24" high. it comes out to just barely under 300 gallons like 299 or something.

anyway i am deciding between James at Envision Acrylics and a local company that has made many tanks IPI.

i am trying to get a picture of the tank, i PMd Edward to see if he coudl draw a pic or if anyone else coudl that would help alot.

i need to figure all this out in the next month.

anyway i am planning on using black acrylic for the back and having 2 overflows each with a 2" drain and a 1.5" return, so a total of 2 2" drains and 2 1.5" returns.

the main flow will be coming from closed loops (no powerheads in the tank at all)

i have decided to use the sequence reef flow dart. i am planning on 3 of them, 1 for the return pump, then 2 for closed loops.

NOW the tricky part is trying to get the spots for the closed loop holes.

so far Madison gave me the idea of using 2 intakes for the closed loop to lessen the suction that the pumps cause.

i am going to use Steve Weast's idea and make PVC platforms and have the closed loop outputs come through them and then use loc-line and make probably 4-5 different "jets" so to speak. just like he did. so a total of 8-10 jets each with about 875-700 gph coming from each jet. plus the returns which will each yeild about 1700 gph coming from each output.

so a total of about 10500 gph for a total gph. no thats about 35x tank turn over.

do you think thats enough? i thought so. i guess i could add another closed loop, but wont that just be a waste?

anyway let me know and if some can draw a pic and post it that would be great!

it will be made with 1/2" acrylic and have euro-bracing. i am trying to get 4 openings on the top, i will be using my current 4 reef optic IIIs and also add 4 48" VHOs to light the areas that are not light by the MHs.

i think VHOs can go over the cross bracing right? i know MHs cant.

anyway i am going to be going with a 2 island look with SPS all the way around. the islands will be digonal from eachother. and then i will probably go with a small small island in the front and put a cap on it and the same in the back, still havent decided.

anyway let me know what you think,

ALSO what do you think as far as the sump goes? what demensions would be good to use? i am going to be using a BK 300 internal for this tank.

let me know and hopefully i can get a pic up soon.

again if anyone can help let me know!

thanks again!

Nick

P.S. this tank will be BB with starboard on the bottom. thanks again!
 
Hey Nick congrates it sounds like a great setup. What exactly are you looking for in the way of a picture or drawing?? as in what do you want showing


Mike
 
just a basic 3D layout of the tank.

that way i can explain where i want the 2 island and then we can figure out the closed loop holes.

last night i figured out how many bulkheads.

i need 4 1 1/2" bulkheads for the inputs of the closed loops 2 for each pump. then i will have 2 1 1/2" bulkheads for the outputs of the closed loop.

i will form these into a platform and do what steve weast did and just make the patforum from 1 1 /2" PVC and have jets coming out from it, some locline probably like 4-5.

NOW i was thinking of using another closed loop along the back wall like 2 1 1/2" inputs and then 3-4 output 1 1/2" bulkheads.

i was going to use the reef flow pumps by sequence, but are the barricudas quiet? if so i may use those instead.

anyway can you draw it up for me?

thanks!

Nick
 
Ahh sorry nick I dont have the 3D drawing plans. A couple things to think about using racks as spray bars. You need to make sure you have some kind of sweeping under the rack thenselves or you will deposit detritus thier. Also make the holes big enough in the racking as they will clog with time.


Mike
 
i am not using a spray bar, check out oregonreef.com and go uinder circulation.

i am using his idea. not drill holes, just sort of using loc-line to make the 5 different jets.

Nick
 
Here's your final drawing layout so everyone can give you input:

NBDnewtank.jpg
 

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