Building a 265g. Starting on 9-28-15

fenwick79 · Sep 27, 2015

I am starting my 265g build in the morning. I am putting it in a recessed wall.
I would like some input on what to use.

This is the space I am going to put it. It is 8 foot wide. 3 foot deep.
This is the list of equipment I have already bought.
265g aquarium
75g sump
Apex Controller
(2) MP40 quiet drives
(2) Sicce 4.0 return pumps
Giesemann Moonlight 6 foot HQI/T5 combo light
(2) 300w Titanium Heaters
Curve 9 Skimmer
ATO
5 Stage RO/DI
Rare Earth Mag Float
Apex water leak alert
(2) 46gal RO water and Saltwater holding tanks in basement
What else do I need?
Thanks, Keith

This is my 150 tall that ive had running for 2 years now. Had a 150 for 6 years before that but it split a seam and i lost everything.

fenwick79 · Sep 30, 2015

Coming along. Stand built

Martyd · Sep 30, 2015

You're going to need ventilation under the stand and in the canopy or you will have moisture and heat problems.

fenwick79 · Sep 30, 2015

I am not going to have a conopy. And the back of the tank will be open. Is this enough ventilation?

Martyd · Oct 1, 2015

If it were my build, I would still want a fan or two under the stand to move the air around and to help push it up and over the top of the tank. Not using a canopy will definitely lessen any problems. My only other concern would be if the stand doors were tight fitting, which would reduce the amount of fresh air that would be pulled into the stand. There are ways to solve that problem too.

fenwick79 · Oct 1, 2015

Thanks for the input. What would be a good fan for it? A large computer type fan or just a small oscillating fan? Blowing onto apex and equipment or blowing up the back of the tank?

Harold Green · Oct 1, 2015

I think you're pretty much all set and sounds like you have enough experience to know what you actually need for the setup. A fan to keep the electronics cool does sound like a good idea though. You're setup makes me wonder if it's possible to have recessed lights that can provide enough lighting in a build like yours. Super clean with no visible lighting. I'll have to research that.

fenwick79 · Oct 1, 2015

Recessed light would be cool. But I think I am turning mine into a power source instead of light.. hmmm.. or maybe some type of led bulbs. Let me know what you find.

fenwick79 · Nov 7, 2015

monkiboy · Nov 7, 2015

I like your aquascape. can you take some more photos of it directly closer up?

chimmike · Nov 7, 2015

I think you're going to find the two mp40's aren't enough flow.

Scape looks great! Lot of space for coral to fill

fenwick79 · Nov 7, 2015

fenwick79 · Nov 7, 2015

chimmike said:
I think you're going to find the two mp40's aren't enough flow.

Scape looks great! Lot of space for coral to fill

The mp40s are almost blowing the water out of the top of the tank. I think maybe the new quiet drives have a lot more power than the older models did.