custom 240g being built have a few ?'s

G8trBait16 · Apr 27, 2017

Hey y'all,

Well since I have had my 75g going for about 2 years with all of its ups and downs, I decided to get a 240g built, glasscages is doing the work. It is going to be 96x24x25. below is what I have now (just 2 things actually) of equipment that I already have and of course need a lot more, but it will come with time and Money.

1 - ATI 48" 8x54w dimmable fixture (I will be buying a 2nd one)
2 - MP40's

Everything else I need to purchase, but doing this one right. I am also having an electrician coming on Monday to put the outlets on their own dedicated breaker and the outlets will be converted to GFI.

I question that I wanted to know is that I have a 16-18" Gator skull that I have had for years (HUGE Florida Gator football fan), could I somehow put that in the tank. Or what would need to be done so it is saltwater acceptable.

I want this tank to be SPS dominated, with a few LPS pieces for the fiancé and her kids. I was looking at putting the MP40's on the back wall and maybe getting 2 Gyres, but have no idea which ones.

Return pump: since this is going to be close loop, but I love the DC powered features (feed mode) are there any other good options for submersible return pumps (not too expensive).

Sump: I have a trigger systems sapphire 34 under my 75 right now. What would be the minimum size that I would need for a 240g?

Thanks y'all for all of the help and advice.

G8trBait16 · Apr 28, 2017

Any Help would be appreciated.

cjd · Apr 28, 2017

Real skull would disintegrate over time , many have tried but it turns to a gooey mess in less than a year. Best to have a replica made from it or a fake one to begin with. Maybe a clear safe resin coating , find out what the dudes on Tanked use .
Two GYRE 250's should be good if you want to turn them up higher , this may cause an audible noise from the pumps . I would probably do the Gyre 280 (even though there only 1000gallons per hr. stronger, they are 3 inches wider ) on each end with the MP 40 on the back wall to break up the gyre flow for a nice random mix.
Return pump you may have less expensive options , but I am a buy once kind of guy.....I would run the Reef Octopus Various-8 or if I wanted to match the MP 40's I'd go with the Vectra L1 for about $100 bucks more. I have never used a D/C return but I am assuming like other D/C pumps they make a whining noise when running so go bigger and turn them down eliminates any noise from the pump.
The bigger the sump the better as always , bigger tank , bigger equipment the more room needed . If I was having a custom 240 gallon tank built , I would have no problem spending a ton of money for a beast of a sump ( My choice ,Bashsea 60x15x16" Ferrari Signature Series Sump). Cheaper route ,If I had a place for a couple of trough's I would look into that too.
I have built many tanks and through my experience if it takes till next payday to get the right component ,so be it. You have a tank going now ,so there is really no rush other than you wanting it done. My experience is wait and get what is best for the system you are building because in the end you end up spending more money rebuying things you wished you got to begin with.
Hope this helps , you buy cheap you buy twice.
Good luck with your build , excited to see progress pics!!!

mtraylor · Apr 28, 2017

I agree with cjd. As far as the helmet goes. Just keep in mind that after you pay for a reef safe helmet to be custom made, its just going to be a big purple,orange,red encrusted helmet with coralline algae. So the look of what you may want with a logo etc will all be gone and short lived in a sps reef. I would get a nice looking logo or etc done on the surround of your aquarium. It will be much more appreciated.

I have a custom 255 and the best recommendation I can say is build your own custom sump for your aquarium. That is the best thing I have ever done with a new build. Custom building ensures you use all of your usable space. Also you can eliminate all those downfalls sometimes seen on buying a prefab sump. You can design what you want with a cad program online for free and send to whatever vendor you want. That is what I did.