Any one out there have large (200+ gallons) reef tanks with SPS?

In the process of setting up a 265 gallon reef tank (84" long x 30" wide x 24" tall) and looking for other people that already have experience with large reef tanks. I'm especially interested in trying to keep SPS such as acros. What's the secret? Metal Halides? 150W, 175W, 250W, 400W? 10k, 14k, 20k? Rediculus flow? Wave makers? Reactors? Dosers? Any special salt mixes? Actual ocean water? Colder or warmer temps? Thanks for the info in advance.

My wife started this thread to show our tank:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/265-gal-build-update-11-21-10-a-98723.html

We are obviously still in the very early stages of setting up, so ignore the lack of a nice wood shell around the stand and a canopy to match. The rocks were just thrown in to get the tank cycling... we'll be working on the aquascape here shortly after we get about 100-150 more pounds in there.

 

That is a Great dimension for a tank. anything taller than 24" and you pretty much have to go with 400wt metal halides. while my tank is only 180, it is the same height. 250's do really well for me. a club member here has a tank similar to those dimensions and the 250's work well. you will likely use 4 of them and then some actinic supplementation.

as for flow, you want approx 10x thru your sump return. the rest of it can be accomplished thru powerheads, a close loop, etc.. for SPS, you want to be in the neighborhood of 40-80x total turnover. on my 180, I have 1500gph from the sump and 3600 from the closed loop and I am about to add another 2000 gph in powerheads. the more random you can get it the better.

I mix my own saltwater. use Oceanic salt as I like the way it is super fine and dissolves really good. temp right now is betweek 78 and 81 depending on season.

 

Thanks for the feedback Pickupman! I just spent an hour or more reading your build thread. Very impressive!

 

I have a 225 and if you are gonna keep sps then you will have to keep an eye on your calcium, specific gravity and worse case magnesium.

 

IME, for SPS, there is no "secret". It should be about the same as keeping other things. The only difference is that you need to have stronger lighting. Other than that, make sure you stay on top of water changes/parameters, have good flow, and you will be fine. I have a koriala 2 and a koriala 4 in my 90 with a 6 bulb t5 fixture and I use instant ocean regular salt, change 10-15 gallons per week, I don't use any trace elements, and my SPS are growing great.

 

Jaydub! thanks!!! I appreciate it. really, an hour? wow. that makes me smile! it has beena very fun project and it is SO worth it.

 

under these 250's, when you put your SPS in, roughly how many inches under the water would you consider 'high' for those corals that want a lot?

 

Thanks Bruh and LCP. Bruh, I went through your build thread this morning and your tank is looking great! I particularly like your selection of fish. Can't wait to get the rest of my live rock, finalize the aquascape, let everything stabilize, and start stocking my 265.