Hello all 
Well, I am trying to design a completely new aquarium for my wife and I for when I return from Iraq. I am looking for any and all advice, the following being guidelines:
1) built into the wall
2) most likely a 96" long x 24" deep x 30" tall tank (350 gallon). I am currently looking at the aqua art acrylic aquarium for this... is this a good brand? any other recommendations? acrylic or otherwise?
3) built in overflow(s) for the tank. Is one ok, or is it better to have more? I am thinking of a single central overflow with a 2" opening... is a durso standpipe needed also?
4) controller... currently looking at a neptune. Is it worth it to get the pro model? I understand needing to monitor pH, temp, and sort of understand ORP, but conductivity (is this salinity?) and oxygen?
5) lighting... I was thinking an icecap 660 with 4 URI super actinic R 4' bulbs, with an icecast, running lengthwise down the tank (so 2 on each side, one in front, one in back). Between each pair of actinics, a 400 watt metal halide, 2 feet in from each end. This would be so the very middle of the tank would be dimmer for lower light corals. Also, the on - off times would be controlled by the neptune.
6) filtration... large refugium in a seperate tank. Maybe 150 gallon or so. Deep sand / mud, with an 8" DSB in the main tank as well. Plenty of live rock (any suggestions on where to get live rock / sand?). Macroalgaes in the refugium, possibly mangroves.
7) supplements... calcium reactor. No clue what size or brand.
8) temp control... heater / chiller. suggestions for both welcomed.
9) pH control. if I have the CO2 tank for the calcium reactor, can I use that for the pH control? will there be a need at all for this?
Anything glaring I am missing? I am a big fan of not using a protein skimmer... my tanks are always understocked and refugiums have done great for me. Is there anything that can monitor / control alk and / or calcium levels? would it be worthwhile?
Thanks in advance for the help
Mark
Well, I am trying to design a completely new aquarium for my wife and I for when I return from Iraq. I am looking for any and all advice, the following being guidelines:
1) built into the wall
2) most likely a 96" long x 24" deep x 30" tall tank (350 gallon). I am currently looking at the aqua art acrylic aquarium for this... is this a good brand? any other recommendations? acrylic or otherwise?
3) built in overflow(s) for the tank. Is one ok, or is it better to have more? I am thinking of a single central overflow with a 2" opening... is a durso standpipe needed also?
4) controller... currently looking at a neptune. Is it worth it to get the pro model? I understand needing to monitor pH, temp, and sort of understand ORP, but conductivity (is this salinity?) and oxygen?
5) lighting... I was thinking an icecap 660 with 4 URI super actinic R 4' bulbs, with an icecast, running lengthwise down the tank (so 2 on each side, one in front, one in back). Between each pair of actinics, a 400 watt metal halide, 2 feet in from each end. This would be so the very middle of the tank would be dimmer for lower light corals. Also, the on - off times would be controlled by the neptune.
6) filtration... large refugium in a seperate tank. Maybe 150 gallon or so. Deep sand / mud, with an 8" DSB in the main tank as well. Plenty of live rock (any suggestions on where to get live rock / sand?). Macroalgaes in the refugium, possibly mangroves.
7) supplements... calcium reactor. No clue what size or brand.
8) temp control... heater / chiller. suggestions for both welcomed.
9) pH control. if I have the CO2 tank for the calcium reactor, can I use that for the pH control? will there be a need at all for this?
Anything glaring I am missing? I am a big fan of not using a protein skimmer... my tanks are always understocked and refugiums have done great for me. Is there anything that can monitor / control alk and / or calcium levels? would it be worthwhile?
Thanks in advance for the help
Mark
