Pre-Build - Parts Checklist

After a few weeks of researching I'm starting to narrow down the initial pieces of my first tank build. This will be a community reef tank.

These are the initial pieces I think I've decided on.

Tank: Marineland Deep Dimension 300 gallon (72x36x27)
Lighting: Giesemann Infiniti 3 x 250 watt HQI + 4 x 80 watt T5 – Black
Powerhead: VorTech MP40Ws (Qty: 2-4?)
Heater: Hydor Theo 400w unit
Fuge: ADHI-Refugia 60 (42x18x18 )
RO/DI: Typhoon III Extreme
Controller: Neptune AquaController Apex System
Live Sand: Undecided
LR: Tampa or Fiji, undecided
Hydrometer: Undecided

Protein Skimmer/Pump: Undecided...suggestions?
Return: Undecided...suggestions?

Any suggestions/words of wisdom/caution from the more experienced veterans? This will be my first tank and I want to do things right from the start. Figure I still have a few more weeks of researching before I'm ready to pull the trigger.

Thanks

 

For live sand, I would go with regular old dry sand of the color/size you like and seed it from an established source like a quality LFS or local reefer. Same with the rock, unless you are looking for a *specific* look(Fiji branch), it will be much more cost effective to go with a dry base rock and seed it with a couple pounds of quality live rock.

Looking at the MP-40's, what type of corals are you looking to keep? 3 should do it fine but if you have the cash a 4th wouldnt hurt. I am assuming your sump/fuge is going to be under the stand? I would look into the Reeflow pumps and size according to your needs. A Dart should work fine as a simple return but going a few sizes larger to accommodate any peripheral devices(reactors) or as a skimmer feed might not be a bad idea.

 

I recommend not "seeding" the base rock or sand. It will become live after the cycle. If you put a piece of lr in there to "seed' it, you may get some unwanted nuisance algae or parasites or other unwanted hitchhikers. There's no need to seed the base rock as you can cycle the tank with purely dry rock and sand. I would also recommend Fiji rock as you get more for your money and IMO it looks nicer than Florida or Atlantic rock. Besides that, your equipment list is very impressive. Should be a very nice tank. I have an MP 40 and love it.

 

I think of it as taking the good with the bad. You can't 100% eliminate the change for nuisance hitchhikers but you also miss out on a load of beneficial critters.

 

I'd scrap the hydrometer and go for a refractometer. Judging by your list so far, it seems money is less an object than quality. That's a good thing. Two outstanding skimmers are the Bubble King Deluxe 300 ,and the Precision Marine Bullet 3, which is rated to 400 gallons.

For the return pump, I have a Little Giant pump which I like very much, but there are many high quality pumps available. I've used submersible pumps for more than 20 years, but now have an inline pump, and I prefer it. It adds negligible amounts of heat to the tank water.

Good luck!!

 

Sounds like a nice tank so far!

Definitely get a refractometer, not a hydrometer, it's a very small investment that will pay dividends forever, also make sure to get some calibration fluid.
Refractometers Bulk Reef Supply - Bulk Reef Supply

For a return pump, depending how much head loss you have you could look at the Mag 18 or Ocean Runner 6500. If you do have significant return plumbing I'm not sure above that range.

As far as powerheads I think you'll be happier with closer to 4 Vortechs, depending on what you're planning on keeping. You might want to consider putting one on the back wall in the middle of the tank as well on a tank that long. Just something to keep in mind, you might not need to.

Also, have you considered how you are going to maintain your calcium/alkalinity/magnesium levels?

 

everything sounds good. you may think about more light on a deep tank. id go with 400w instead of 250w mh. im running 2-400w on my 150gal. as for skimming im using an E.T.S.S. 800 gemini downdraft skimmer on a sump that will carry both a 75gal and a 150gal with 200gal in sump. vertex also makes some great skimmers. look around you can find some great deals try marine depot allot of info there. you may also think about a ca reactor. this will help your coral to thrive. well good luck . keep us posted pics pics pics;D

 

i agree definitly get a refractometer. i got a great deal on ebay!! $25.00 with free shipping.

 

Check out the Vertex Alpha Cone Skimmers. Their parts are made by the makers of Bubble King and they curently have introductory pricing with a pretty hefty discount. The 300 model is rated to 600 gal so you might be able to go with the 200 or 250.

Also consider going with 2 smaller heaters instead of one 400 W. The titanium heaters are supposed to be more reliable than the glass ones but it still seems like heaters are one of the most likely elements of your system to fail. Running 2 smaller heaters gives you a built in back-up.

 

No pun intended, right?