New tank

[Talon]

I am going to look at a 265 gallon tank tomorrow and would like some initial input. If I buy it I will have many more question but just needed some initial advice. The tank has two overflows and a sump and a large fake coral insert. I already have a 100 gallon fish and coral tank and want to set this one up as fish only so I can get all the fish that were either two big or would kill the coral in my existing tank. How would I set this new tank up? Do I need live rock? Any input would be helpful in my decision


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[coralbandit]

I run a sump on my 120 fowlr.
Dry rock will become live rock in time naturally.
I run caulerpa in the sump and a protein skimmer.
Not much different then any other tank but a larger bio load usually comes with predators.
Think of a marine predator tank like an Oscar tank!
I only have 2 fish in my 120.
Snowflake moray and a miniatus grouper.
Is the tank filled so you can see it won't leak?
What kind of equipment comes with it?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Do you need live rock....No you don't. You will however need a biological filter in there somewhere. Whether its chaeto or macro algae in the sump, or a couple of big canister filters.

 

[Talon]

This is the picture I got. I am assuming it comes with everything. I don't know everything yet though I will find out tomorrow. He says it dosnt leak and it looks like it was filled recently. I just wanted to get an idea of what I'm getting myself into. It's almost three times the size of my current tank



Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Reefing Madness]

Nice!! I'd be all over that.

 

[Sniperhank]

Yeah, that'd look great in my house.

 

[melosu58]

To me LR and a skimmer would be all you need for good filtration. Looks like a pretty nice tank.

 

[Talon]

Just got the tank home wow is it heavy. Haven't had to much time to go over it but it's a 265 gallon with a dual overflow and looks like 4 returns through the back of the tank. I need some help setting up this one. I got a large return pump (will look for more details tomorrow) and some rock but that's it. I have An old 40 I could turn into a sump but I don't think it's big enough. Also am going to need to plumb it all. Not sure where to even start at this point.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[coralbandit]

SWEET!
You got some good help on this thread already(3 experienced reefers and mods and one bone head!)
I'm pretty confident they and I may be able to help you!
The 40 could work but the bigger the better for ease!

 

[54seaweed]

you can drop it off here , Nice score for sure the only thing I would change is 86 the insert , once you get that beast up it's going to be the bomb I'm jealous ,

 

[Talon]

So I am trying to figure out how I am going to plumb the tank. It has 6 returns through the back and two holes in each overflow. I don't know that I need that many returns. I'm thinking of pluging the ones in the sump and two in the back and just use 4 returns and two overflows to the sump. Also I don't think the 40 is going to be enough looking at the tank. I have a 2200 gph pump. Not sure what type of protein skimmer to get or heater. I am going to get a double 7" square sock filter I think. Just ordered new bulk heads and I am going to start re plumbing this weekend any ideas?


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Sniperhank]

Well, how did he have it set up? All 6 can't be returns, where would the water be draining from? Is it plumbed to drain out the bottom? If so, I'd plug that up and only work from the back.

 

[Talon]

Yeah there are two holes in the bottom Of Each overflow and six I. The back of the tank. I was going to use one in each overflow to drain into the sump than 4 of the six in the back for returns and plug the rest. I don't know exactly how it was since it was drained and I only got some of the plumbing. I guess I could just hook them all up and add lots of valves so I can choose latter.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Sniperhank]

OH. I see now. Here is everything you could possibly need.
Aquarium Plumbing Basics - Reef Aquarium

 

[Talon]

Thanks that's a lot of info. I can't believe that a 1" drain only flows 600 gph. That means I need like 4 - 1" drains to the sump. Not sure how I am going to be able to do that. Sounds like I am going to have a busy weekend just running plumbing


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice