Help planning equipment for large reef

[JOKER]

Looking Into many different approaches to new reef tank. Tank dimensions will be 84" 24" 24" around 200 gallon, sump will be 100 gallon and thinking of adding a DSB section in sump that will be easily taken off line if problems arise. Another idea would be to have an ATS with a skimmer, as for this would I size the skimmer to size of tank or still go a little larger than tank volume? Lots of people recommend twice the size of water volume but that seems a little extreme. I would think a skimmer rated at 300 gallon heavy filtration would be enough but im not sure where to go. I have been thinking the reef octopus regal series but am open to suggestions. Another thought was the biopellets. What would you recommend? Any combinations seem to work well together? This tank will eventually be SPS heavy.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I just started a 72x28x22 tank and 60 gallon sump. I went with a Bubble Magnus Curve 9 skimmer. It's the biggest That would fit in my sump. Some people don't like them, but I do. I had a curve 7 in my previous 90 gallon setup and really liked it for the most part.

 

[JOKER]

I think they are also a good skimmer. Does this skimmer seem to work well with your tank? I just want a decent skimmer. I should have plenty room. Plans for stand will be from 38-40" tall. Working intank will be a little tough but everything else will be better IMO.

 

[SoloSuperman]

Following

 

[9balliw]

I am running a ats and miracle mud as my only filtration right now kind of for a test to see about a big tank later It is running good already only a little red slime and all other algae is going away My 90 gallon tank has a foam background and very minimal rock work and has only been running 5 months or so Nitrates and phos are both real low tough to tell on test kits first couple colors on both tho. I am hoping not have much cost per month on maintenance with little or no water changes I have a real nice vertex 180in skimmer in the garage I haven't needed yet

 

[StikHedRon]

I like the Reef Octopus Elite 220 for 300 gal.

 

[KoleTang]

The problem with skimmer recommendations is that the manufacturers are completely spitballing and have never actually done any sort of test to determine the skimmer's performance. It may be out of your price range, but check out Bill Wann's skimmers: Aquarium Engineering (More info in here: http://www.reeffrontiers.com/threads/62008-20-000-gallon-tank-construction)

I've had good success with LifeReef personally. It's older tech, but it works. (I'm currently working on a 120 that will be running a VS3-48)

 

[Reefteach]

Following since I started a 200 in my classroom and know I need more.

 

[kenjung]

I recently setup a 400g from what I learned you should plan according to what Bio types you will keep from fish to coral. For me tuning ability is the key to hit specific point in nutrient level, light or flow.

 

[JOKER]

I plan a lot of fish. Planning SPS heavy also. As for skimmers I have a life reef 36" now. It seems to work good just cant put in sump. I will look into that link. That tank looks nice for just that as filter. Would be sweet to just leave it like that.