I'm Starting a 270g custom reef tank,Your Suggestions please

Hello, I'm new to the site and new as a reef tank keeper. So new that I don't even have a reef tank yet. (I do own a 165g fish only though so I know where to put the water. lol) But I'm starting a 270g Reef tank. I have ordered a acrylic tank that is 72x24x36 and plan on building the stand and canopy to match my home decor. Since this is my first time around the block please give me the break down on what equipment I need to buy (like Lights, skimmer, sump/refug pump(s) UV lights, etc. With company names and model numbers please) and the proper order to building and adding the parts (Rock, sand, cycle, fish etc.) I'm doing this on my own, no fish mentor to go to for help and golden advice. Thanks. ;D

 

IMO go with a glass tank on a reef tank

 

And why is that? I've never been a fan of glass tanks.

 

Welcome to 3reef.

If the tank is 36" tall then you will need to get 3 400W metal halide fixtures to get light to the bottom as a minimum. You can supplement with T5HO for actinic lighting. Get 4 to 8 39W bulbs. Don't know anything about MH brands so I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions here. I think you will most likely be doing DIY since you are building your canopy. Reefgeeks and Hellolights have some excellent kits for this purpose.

A 55 gallon tank would probably be the smallest sump you would want to get. You would want a return pump rated at 300 to 550gph at 4 foot head. I use Rio HF pumps for this. A 10HF or a 12HF would fit the bill here.

I would suggest getting a skimmer rated for 400 to 500 gallons. I use an Eshopps myself and am quite pleased with its performance. Don't know what model they have that would fit the bill here.

I would suggest drilling an overflow. Glass-holes is the place to look for this. Get their 1200gph unit.

If you do a fuge another 55 gallon tank would work just buy a return pump that move 3 to 5 times the volume of the fuge.

Probably easiest to mix the water and salt in the tank then add sand and rock. Cycle the tank without lights until ammonia and nitrite are 0 and nitrates are falling to 5 or below. Then add a clean up crew see Reef Cleaners about a crew. It is suggested to add 3 or more corals to every fish you add.

You will get plenty of advise so feel free to ask questions like mad.

 

Sweet! Thanks for the feedback.

 

I would go with an acrylic tank with the size you are getting due to weight reduction.

 

that size tank is gonna be heavy in glass. trust me. I have a 225 and it weighs a ton. I was setting it up, but went with a 180 due to the height. keep in mind, you will have to stick your arms in all the way to the bottom, and getting meaningful light that deep will be tough unless you use 400's. then you are looking at considerable more heat and electricity.


after considering all those things, I went with a 180 for my tank. then added a 150 gallon rubbermaid sump. if you are after volume, save some cash on the height of the tank, and get you a good sized custom sump.

get a skimmer rated at 3-500 gallons, likely a chiller too if you have that much wattage over the tank, I woudl do a closed loop in it with a pump capable of turning the tank over at least 15-20X per hour. that would give you enough flow for SPS. as for the return pump, I get one that is powerful enough to deliver 8-10x to the tank, run the skimmer and flow for the chiller and refugium. at least thats what IM doing.

 

Good points here so far....Really read through this site, ask a lot of questions too...everyone on here is awesome!!!

I too would go with a shorter tank, maybe you can go longer to makeup the difference. The reason being is that tall of a tank, you are gonna have to hold your breath a lot to fix things on the sand. Plus with it being a reef tank you are going to be messing with so many corals and having it that deep you are gonna need a snorkel...unless you have really long arms...then dont worry about anything I just said.;D

Dont skimp on lights and the skimmer!!!

 

All great advice so far... biggest detractor for the acrylic is the fact that it scratches just by looking at it, nevermind having to scrape coraline algae off it! It does on the otherhand offer significant weight advantages.

Anyway.....





For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon








read these and then come back and ask about anything you still don't understand. we'll get you squared away and on the right path

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/how-setup-saltwater-aquarium-89044.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/handy-research-links-89299.html

 

Welcome,

Acrylic scratches if a fish looks at it funny.

You will have to be super careful when cleaning it. Always start at the top and work your way down as not to pick up any specks of sand.

Buy good quality gear the first time, so you don't have too in 6 months.