First Time Reefer 200g DT am I crazy

[ShawnSaucier]

Thank you guys again for the response and advice. I am looking to make this an sps dominate tank.

With that said, what you have could look really cool as the SPS grow in. You shouldn’t have any issues with dead spots as far as flow.

 

[danreefman]

Bigger easier to keep water stable, just not your wallet. Well at least when your setting up. On 200 gallons just figure at least another 20,000 on livestock and equipment by the time your done.

 

[dbraun15]

First off...thank you for your service and am glad you came home safe! Like others said, I would break the rock into smaller pieces and be able to fit them together to provide caves/overhangs/etc. Second, I would recommend starting with some easier corals, such as softies, to get used to maintenance and how aquariums work. They are much more forgiving and hardy. You can then move onto SPS and more sensitive corals/inverts once you've gotten used to the tank. Good luck!

 

[PepethePug]

+ 1 on THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! Here's some general advice...

Go slow, enjoy the hobby and expect some challenges/disasters, especially in the beginning. I find the first couple of years with a tank are by far the hardest and most trouble filled. Also, don't rush out and buy every gadget right away. Keep it simple. It makes things easier to trouble shoot if you limit the number of things you are considering. Of course you need the basics (in my opinio, in the sump you need a good protein skimmer, some GFO, and a carbon bag, and either rubble or cheeto. I use a dosing pump to maintain alk/CA/Mg and it works fine, when you get it tuned. Up top, good lights, (I use metal halide and LED combo) and flow. Flow is super important, but that can be adjusted later, and specifically to your aquascaping. One thing I wish I had done is better allowed ways to vent my upper canopy -- it gets hot up there. Also, make sure you have a way to vent/cool your sump area. trying to figure out how to do those things later is harder.

For where you are at right now...

IMHO, at your stage in the game, one of the MOST important things on the look of the tank is the rockwork and aquascaping. And based on the photos, I don't think you are there yet. I didn't really think it was that important until a buddy/professional came over and did mine. dude was an artist! If you have appealing and attractive rockwork, that looks good, your tank looks so much better even before you get any coral going, your tank will always look nice. Think of it as sculpture. So take your time on the aquascaping. Read some books on some art rules, rule of "2/3rds" and things, etc. Take your time on that rock work and get it right. You will be glad you did.

Congrats. I think this is one of the greatest hobbies in the world.

 

[PepethePug]

Consider two rock islands, one 30% bigger than the other? Aquascaping is super important! Take your time with it.

 

[1WildBill]

Thank you for your service, you don’t know what it means to have another veteran in this relaxing hobby. It’s a lot of work when you first start, but rewarding down the line.

 

[Whiskeyboy84]

Thank you and thanks for your service. I think reef keeping engages you on many levels and is a very good outlet for stress and even provides emotional support benefits!

 

[FrankAbagnale]

Pumped for you man! Sounds like a fun build.

 

[jakeh22]

Out of your mind dog

 

[Whiskeyboy84]

Lol maybe out of my mind and out of my money but I will have the dopest tank in the neighborhood

 

[Roy 9121]

Well guys I will start out by saying this is my first ever salt water aquarium and reef tank. I am headed down this journey into a sport that I find intriguing and soothing, as a Retired Combat Medic, and Veteran of the Afghan War I deal with mood instabilities and insomnia. I had been spiraling down hill pretty bad until we started a brackish tank for my wife and daughter. After doing so to my surprise I have found great relief from the stresses and in ability to sleep as I can lay infront of the tank and watch the mollies and listen to the water and it calms me and even helps me go to sleep. Not to mention the challenge that is fish husbandry helps to occupy my mind. So I had a Custom DT built by Planet Aquariums built it is a 96"L x 24"W x 20"D center overflow with three returns I have two 1-1/2 drains and three 3/4 inch returns. I then had a local shop build my a custom 60g sump with 30g refuge first, no filter socks in order to run the Triton Core7 method. I just placed an order with BRS for almost 2800 dollars, this order is so that hopefully by the end of March I can begin cycling the system.
So I have a few questions one for @Ryanbrs how do the preferred reefer points work because I signed up as a preferred reefer and I noticed after my check out that it has my as a general account, but I get news feed BRSTV and all that and have for the past couple of months since I signed up

Next What Cycling Methods would you guys the veterans of the sport recommend I am currently following the BRSTV ULM Tank Trials and have Watched pretty much every video they have posted at least three times.

Then there is this question Atlantik V4 vs Kessil A360 vs Kessil Ap700 for lighting? the tank is the focal point in my living room with my TV wall Mounted above and behind it.

Who thinks that a rookie is making a huge mistake by undertaking a 200g mixed reef for his first endeavor into reef keeping.

I ordered 150 lbs of Pukani and am contemplating going bare bottom as my tank has a multi layered bottom with the glass between two pieces of abs.

Would you guys recommend Maxspect Gyres or ECOtech MP60's?

Should I include Random flow generators on my Return lines?

Starting the tank without a controller but will be upgrading to an apex system by Christmas time, as I have roughly 1500 per month to play with so I have to save my pennies and purchase as I go.

Well guys it is 2317 and I took my meds two hours ago so I think I will try and get some shut eye and revisit the thread again in the am. All Tips, Tricks, Advice and Jokes are welcome please feel free to smack me around a bit as my entire family except for my wife and daughter think I am crazy lol.

I, first, would like to thank you for your service, and I pray that you will recover fully.
I don't think 200 gallons is to big, and I've always been told larger tanks can be easier in some respects. I'm sure you'll figure it out, your in the right place to fund the help you need to be successful. Good luck.

 

[Whiskeyboy84]

I, first, would like to thank you for your service, and I pray that you will recover fully.
I don't think 200 gallons is to big, and I've always been told larger tanks can be easier in some respects. I'm sure you'll figure it out, your in the right place to fund the help you need to be successful. Good luck.

Thank you I to have read that and then combined with being a Texan I guess I am lucky this 200g DT is what I decided to go with lol! Thank you again.

 

[Roy 9121]

Thank you I to have read that and then combined with being a Texan I guess I am lucky this 200g DT is what I decided to go with lol! Thank you again.

You're very welcome. Don't be afraid to come back and ask questions. I was such a novice when I started, and I've had many questions answered here. Everyone is great about it.

 

[Whiskeyboy84]

Yeah right now I am still playing with aquascape ideas lol seems that my symmetrical approach isn’t really what guys wanna are lol

 

[jakeh22]

Lol maybe out of my mind and out of my money but I will have the dopest tank in the neighborhood

Right. It takes time and a ton of research to perfect the reefing. We’re all still learning and i have had saltwater tankers since the 90s. the way things are today are completely different because of the apex and or monitoring systems there is way more to go wrong. Save yourself some more money and don’t buy any coral for at least 6-8 months. First timers should stick to fish only and when you can keep them without getting sick for that long and the tank has been stable add a leather or mushroom you won’t be upset that you waited i promise you pal

 

[jakeh22]

I only speak from experience and me trying to keep coral with the wrong lighting too strong of leds or inconsistent water changes leaving salt creep it takes time to learn the tank is what I am saying

 

[Taylor Reeves]

how do you like your Eshopps x-220?

 

[PatW]

Again, thank you for your service.

I am glad to hear that your aquarium is therapeutic,

Your tank looks really nice. It has enough length to give you nice stocking options.

I would suggest MP 40s. I heard from a source that has a pot load of them that they are more reliable than the 60s but that is based on say so. Take it for what it is worth.

For a skimmer, go with something that is over sized for your tank. It comes in handy to be able to skim the tank. Bulk Reef Supply rates skimmers for volume at low, medium and high stocking and it always seems lower than the manufacturer’s rating. Also check to see if your skimmer has enough head room in the cabinet to take it out for cleaning.

I would suggest an RODI system. I found that it is good to be able to store and mix good sized volumes. I use Brute trash cans ... 44 gallons and I kinda wish that I went with the 55 gallon size. But the size I use works well, one bag of reef crystals is just about perfect for 40 gallons.

I would suggest a controller. You can have it control fans for cooling and a heater for heating.

A problem with led lighting is it tends to be a point source and that creates shadows on sides of corals. Even with multiple unit’s this happens. But led lighting let’s you select your exact light spectrum.

Well good luck to you.

 

[Whiskeyboy84]

how do you like your Eshopps x-220?

Taylor I haven’t got the tank up and Running yet so I cannot give a fair review but as for build quality and all I would say it’s fair if it doesn’t pan out a vertex or reef octopus In my future

 

[tom reilly]

Thank You for serving our country. There’s nothing wrong with starting big except for the fact that when the addiction really takes hold you’ll want to go even bigger! Nearly 15 years ago I purchased an established 150 gallon having no experience keeping saltwater aquariums. You’ll be just fine so long as you don’t rush desired results. 1: Take things slow 2: Learn as much as you can from reputable sources and 3: Let your tank mature relatively naturally. Keep us updated we’d love to see your progress!

Go Slooooowwww.