My FIRST EVER LARGE TANK - 225 Gallon

[lhoy]

Well, I first want to thank Jeremy because his incredible deal on the 185 gallon tank got me talking to my wife. She gave me a limit of $600 for a large tank. As you can imagine, that is very difficult to do. I was debating on getting the 185 from Jeremy and he PM'ed me and said he had sold the first one but was willing to get another for me!! I told him due to such extreme generosity I would definitely be making the drive from Georgetown to San Antonio to do some business at B & B!!

Well, I was goofing around on ebay and in the Fish, Turtle, etc. area this was listed:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120173861461&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

If you notice, I went $10 over my limit. Will have to do some sweet talking in the morning, but can you say great deal!!

Needless to say, I am very excited. It will take awhile to be able to afford a sump, etc. but itsn't that part of the fun!

Also, I will be selling some smaller setups, lights, etc. in the future to raise some much needed funds.

Finally joining the ranks of the big boys!!

Lee

[MissT]

Nice tank, congratulations! Any ideas on what kind of setup you're going to do?

[erikharrison]

Awesome! Congrats on a SWEET deal.

[Bill S]

Neat deal. Good luck with it. If you are ever in SA and want to see my 215, you are welcome to come by.

[ismvel]

Agreed, very nice indeed....I like the stand and canopy....can't beat that deal.

[RayAllen]

Great fine! Welcome to the 200g + club!

[LoneStar]

Nice Find!

[lhoy]

Well, the plan for occupants and the reef layout is going to be something other than the wall I have had in most of my other tanks. I find that one of the features of the larger tanks that appeals to me is to do islands of rock and mounting corals on the top of rocks instead of the sides. I will probably have a lot of swimming room because I love fish. I also LOVE inverts and have a wide variety of the smaller hermit crabs. I am also one of those who doesn't remove the funky crabs etc. I find in my live rock. Never had a problem (that I am aware of). I am more a fan of plating and encrusting corals than pure branching acros. I also love large fleshy corals like scolys, open brains, etc.

I would LOVE to come down to SA and see some bigger tanks. I HAVE lots of questions on the aspects of maintaining a larger tank. I have seen Ace's in person and now that I am bryopsis free I am ready to get rolling.

I am toying with a smaller rubble zone at the base of some of the rock for gobies and wrasses to go through. My promise to my wife was to get rid of a lot of unused equipment in the attic, fish room, etc. So I will be selling off some good equipment over the next few weeks.

I will keep everyone posted, but progress will be slow. I am a pastor and I sure didn't become one for the salary!!

Thanks,

Lee

[lhoy]

Tank Dimensions are: 78 X 28.75 X 24. I have 250 Watt DE Reef Optix Pendants with a Sunlight Supply Bluewave dual ballast. I plan to add one more 250 watt pendant for a total of three.

For those with tanks in the 200 to 250 range, what size sumps do you have? I have a 75 gallon tank (not reef ready) that I could have made into a sump, but will also be watching for a used acrylic sump which I would prefer over glass. Wondering how many gallon capacity a sump for a tank this size should be?

I will plan on a thin layer of sand just for looks and a few critters (not a fan of BB look).

I am contemplating skimmerless as I have been visiting with Eric Borneman on this approach, but I will have a spot in the sump in case I ever change my mind.

Couple of other questions:

1.) Will I need a vent in the ceiling to deal with humidity?
2.) How much evaporation on average do you experience with a tank this size (in gallons)?
3.) What are some things you wished you had done with your tank?

Thanks,

Lee

[RayAllen]

Unfortunatley the way my stand was built with shelves and dividers Im limited to sump size. Im doing a 20g sump just to hold my Skimmer and return pump and then a seperate 20-25g for a refugium. Just got to figure out a way to plumb them together, lol. My tank evaps about 1 gallon every couple of days and i dont use any vents. The only adjustments I would have did would be drilling and modifying the stand, but all in all for a FOWLR its working fine, but is still in the process of being done. As for a skimmers if do decide to go with one you should check out the Octopus Recirc skimmers, they are awesome. Im buying the Octopus 200 for mine. Most importantly make sure you tell you wife how much you love her everyday while you buy all this stuff, lol.

Ray

[crossxfire2]

wow. that is awesome. Congrats!

[greenmako]

You're welcome to come over here anytime to see our set up. We vented to the outside just to be safe. And when you get that bad boy up we have plenty of cap you can raid. We are in Pflugerville, about 20mins south of you. I cant remember if you've been here or not.
-brian

[lhoy]

Brian,

I had been visiting with you about coming and about two weeks after that the bryopsis blew up. I just totally avoided the forums, stores, etc. because it was too depressing. Are you by chance going to be around tomorrow? If you don't mind me inviting myself and the Sooners aren't playing tomorrow so why not check out a reef? ; )

Lee

[greenmako]

I will be around during the afternoon I'll pm you my phone number an address

[Bill S]

Mine's vented to the outside as well. Bathroom vent turns on when temp climbs too high. But, I've got 3x400w plus VHOs. My sump is too small, Ace built it. But, it had to fit under the stand. It has JUST enough room in it.

As for your "islands", I took eggcrate and built a box open on the ends. Then stacked rock around it. Makes for a good cave for fish to hide in, AND it takes less rock to make an island.

You should take some time and look at ALL the big tanks you can. Most everyone, me included, will welcome you. We ALL made mistakes - some of which we corrected and some of which we have to live with! You WILL get a huge return on your time, I GUARANTEE it. And, you will come away with a LOT of good ideas.