Blank Slate

[michaelp]

I'm starting completely from scratch, and getting ready to build a 90 or 120 gallon tank.

I'm a relative newbie, in that I only have a small saltwater tank, with a biowheel filter (no protein skimmer, no wet/dry, no cartridge filter, no UV sterilizer, no live rock) Two clownfish and some crabs.

But we're building out a new office and I've got permission to go hog wild on a new tank which will be pretty much the centerpiece of the space.

I understand that I know practically nothing about this, except all the reading I've done (on here and books). So I'm coming to the experts humbly for some advice...

Should I just get some price quotes from aquariums in the city (office is in manhattan) and let them do it all? Drs Fosters&Smith has most of the equipment for so much cheaper than the stores here, but not having someone to assist me could be a disaster. Perhaps I could get some stuff from the aquarium and some online as I'm under a budget and I want to make sure I have enough money for cool critters.

Alternatively would anyone be interested in working as an advice contractor to help me with some design decisions?

Michael

 

[DEEPWATER]

HI mike ,
Welcome to MR .

Starting a new tank ,1st I would say ,

Do yo know what type of tank you going to do ,Fish only ,withlive rock ,or with out ,
or a reef tank ?that could help alot on how or which way to to direct you
Do you know how much you are looking to spend .You can find lots of stuff on the for sale forum ,or post what you might be looking for ?

 

[Sean]

Hi Michael

sent you a Private message

Sean
Aquatic Creations

 

[inkblue]

Welcome Michael, look around and meet peoPle... advice is FREE but most, if not all of tHe time, thingS here are CHEAPER than ANY stores coz we're all hobbyiSts here... enjoy and mayBe we'LL meet someday :usa1:

 

[herman]

So I'm coming to the experts humbly for some advice...


Michael

Welcome man. Be careful who you think are experts. Some of us drink alot. :shocked1: :icon16: :smokin:

 

[ezee]

Blank Slate, Blank Check?

Michael,

I am by no means an expert but What sort of budget do you have available to you? For an office space I would think that would be important, considering upkeep beyond initial setup. Your expenses could easily get into the thousands.

E

 

[Tonyscoots84]

im guessing you want this tank to be as less work as possible. pretty much for the tank to support itself since its going to be in the office. let us no what your ideas are and well help you from there.

 

[michaelp]

Here's my current from my limited knowledge viewpoint.

The office is a bit dark so the tank is going to be the centerpiece and i want it to be bright... (plus reef and fish) so I'm assuming this means metal halides.

The tank will be built into a bookshelf that they are specially constructing (i'm working with the architect) and it will be viewable from both sides.

I'm planning on
120 gallon glass tank
300 lbs live rock?
inline cartridge filter (1200 gph)
protein skimmer in sump under tank
inline uv sterilizer (or catridge filter which also does uv ster.)
RO kit for making water (nyc tap water sucks)
chiller (do i also need a heater?)
1200gph pump + powerhead

Without an overflow (I don't want a portion of the tank on the bank to be obstructed) how do I get water from the tank into the sump? Or is an overflow necessary?

Should I have direct electrical lines for the metal halides?

If I wasn't going to have a full blown reef, but just a fish + live rock tank I think it would be easier (no metal halides, no chiller) but the truth is I really want those super bright corals and those high wattage bulbs to light up the room.

 

[ezee]

michaelp

chiller (do i also need a heater?)

If you office is temperature controlled and doesn't get really cold or hot you probably won't need the heater but you may want to get it anyway, just in case.

E

 

[pecan2phat]

I would definitely look into what Sean can do for you. That is his line of work and can give you multiple designs and solutions.

 

[Phyl]

I have a 120 as one of my display tanks. I've modified your list based on what I have.

120 gallon glass tank
100# of base rock; 80# live rock
SSB
2x250MH lights 14k; no actinics
Wet/dry (what can I say? I got it with the tank as a newbie; I'd just do a sump, fuge, skimmer rather than the wet/dry bioball gig next time)
Fuge + fuge light (growing mix of caulerpa and chaeto)
protein skimmer in sump under tank
inline uv sterilizer
RO kit for making water (all tap water sucks)
chiller (& 2 150w heaters)
1200gph pump + powerhead (mag12 with an 18 impeller, pushing close to 1500gph could really use an 18 under there; TUNZE 6100 on a controller, should have gotten 2 with the multi-controller)

If you're not going RR (I highly discourage this) you'll need an overflow that can handle the 12-1800gph your pump is pushing through the fuge; an aqualifter to ensure you don't lose siphon, float switch to shut off the pump should the level in the sump get too low.

With a black background on the tank the overflows blend right in. I'd prefer corner overflows to the positioning of the Oceanic RR baffle system.

Just my 2c! Enjoy your new toy!

 

[Tonyscoots84]

1st i would highly rec. a RR tank. due to the amount of water 120gallons your going to need alot of water flow.
-a big pump. (someone here will rec. wat kind of pump u should get)
-i dont think your going to need a heater with the Metal halide lights your going to get.
-Your def. going to need a chiller
-a great skimmer (many like the asm skimmers. someone could rec. a good one)
-300lbs of live rock will cost you a fortune. i would do like 150 -200lbs base rock and the rest live.
-i dont rec. a uv system due to it can kill off good bacteria as well. only give yourself the flexibility to add one in the future incase an illness comes into play.
-I would do RODI water filtration. more water filtration the better.
-i would also rec. a closed loop system as well. not really needed but you wont have to add powerheads which are ugly looking in a nice tank.


are you going Sandbed or Bare bottom. if you wanted to do live sand you can do 1/2 aragonite sand or southdown from homedepot if you can find it and the rest live sand to seed the home depot sand.

anyways any other question you go for me leave a post on here or pm me i would be more than happy to answer any questions i can.