loganj
Aquarium Advice Addict
Mai said:
Yes, these are excellent heaters. I would even go with the Pro Heat II on one of them if it's in the budget so you'll have that oh so neat digital temp readout on the heater controller.
I've had no experience with the Dolphin pumps. I would suggest looking at a Blueline 40-HD or the Little Giant 4 MDQ. I know both of them are good pumps...my pick would be the Blueline.
IMO, you won't really need this. It's nice to have one on standby for an algae bloom or something, but I think at least this could be your last purchase if you still determine that you need one after the tank is up and going. JMHO.
IMO, you'd be much better served by going with Blueline, Little Giant, or Iwaki pumps. The Quiet Ones, although very good pumps, are still primarily water cooled like the Mag Drives...even when they are run externally...and will add heat to your system. The above mentioned pumps have magnetically driven impellers powered by air cooled motors. Far superior IMO.
I'd go with more rock if it's in the budget. 1.5-2 lbs per gallon is usually recommended although you can get by with 1 lb per gallon. You can put in mostly base rock and top it off with good LR. The base rock will colonize the bacteria you need quickly and will eventually become nice looking LR with coraline and other critters. If you're going to go with a DSB, which I personally recommend, you'll want a minimum sandbed depth of 4" with 6" being better. There are differing opinions about DSB's, but I have found them to be very useful in controlling nitrates and adding diversity to the tank. I think it would pay you to research it if you haven't already.
IMO, you'd probably be better off to go ahead with MH lighting since this is such a deep tank. I don't believe the PC's are going to give you the light penetration you'll need for the more demanding photosynthetic inverts. It really stinks to lay out a ton of $$ for a lighting system and then find out it isn't enough later. I would go with a 3x400w MH with either PC or VHO actinics. That way, you won't be limited later should you decide to get into SPS corals, anemones, clams, ect... Again, JMHO.
Great! Closed loops are a great way to supply current in a large tank. I have one on a 180 reef using a 1200 gph Little Giant pump...works great. One other thing you might want to include is a wavemaker unit with a few powerheads. Although the sump returns and the closed loop will create flow in the tank, what you want to have is turbulence more than straight laminar flow. The object is to try to recreate the wave action that the corals have on the natural reef. It has been my experience that Maxi Jet powerheads hold up better on a wavemaker than any other brand. Stay away from Rios...they won't take the abuse for long.
Sounds good. You're doing the research before you spend the $$. That puts you ahead of the game (OK, I admit...I didn't do as much research as I should have and it cost me dearly). A well designed sump will make your life much easier when it comes to maintaining the tank.
I apologize for picking your post apart that way, but it was the only way I thought I could cover everything without making it totally confusing. Sounds like you're going to have a beautiful tank when it's done and I can't wait for pics (even though I'll probably be green with envy
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