Large Aquarium Build Advice Needed

[Caseyz]

Greetings, first time posting here so if I get something wrong please forgive me. I used to be in the hobby about a decade ago and had a healthy 40G SPS tank that I loved. I lost that tank in an ice storm where we lost power for over a week. I am now in a new larger home with a backup generator and would like to get back into the hobby in a bigger way. I have space for a what I consider a large tank and need some advice from those that have experience with larger tanks. The wall I will put the tank on is 110" long so I have plenty of space. I am on a slab foundation with a tile floor so weight isn't an issue. My last tank was a total DIY build so I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. In looking at my options in the 200G+ space it looks like either the Waterbox or the Red Sea are the two main stream options. I am also considering a custom tank as well, but only if there is a compelling reason to go that route. I am a little put off by the Metric plumbing in the Red Sea as I intend to customize the plumbing for reactors, dosing, etc. That doesn't have to be a show stopper, but it is a concern. I am located in the US so getting access to Imperial plumbing fixtures is much easier for me. I do not plan on using the lighting in either off the shelf system as I would like something higher end and there are several good options there. I would like to have an all in budget minus livestock of between 15-20K.

That's the back story, my question is if you were in my position, what tank/system would you choose and why? Remember that I am mainly focused on SPS with a few compatible fish. The only limiting factors are budget and a 20AMP circuit. Any advice or wisdom is much appreciated.

 

[Gablami]

If I were you, I would not go with Red Sea or waterbox. The stands are put together like ikea furniture. I would go with a non custom tank from a tank builder, and a metal stand.

it will be more expensive, but not like a true custom build. And you’ll have a lot more piece of mind when it comes to keeping this tank for 5-10+ years (hopefully).

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They also have standard rimless options. You can skin the stand yourself if you want. This is also not your first rodeo so I think this is a better path forward.

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Planet aquariums, 215 or 180. 55 gal sump. Check your quality lfs and see if they can supply, and possibly deliver.

You'll want to swap out the overflow box though because it's pretty bad.
The tank on the other hand is really nice - plenty of photos on my build thread...

15k is an insane budget, depending on whether or not you're planning to go for high tech and fancy equipment. The 210 was 2k with low iron, stand and delivery included. There are obviously people happy to sell you a 210 for 5k with no delivery though.

 

[Caseyz]

Planet aquariums, 215 or 180. 55 gal sump. Check your quality lfs and see if they can supply, and possibly deliver.

You'll want to swap out the overflow box though because it's pretty bad.
The tank on the other hand is really nice - plenty of photos on my build thread...

15k is an insane budget, you'd be hard pressed to go over 5k when it's all said and done. The 210 was 2k with low iron, stand and delivery included.

Thanks for the reply. The 15K budget is all in on lighting and all other equipment including rock, minus coral and fish.

 

[ca1ore]

LOL .... you can work through $15K on a big system without working up a sweat ....

How much + beyond 200G? If you've got 110" to play with and no practical weight limitations, why not go HUGE. I bought a fishtanksdirect tsunami (I guess all the good names were taken) 450. cost me $4500. Built my own stand and light hood.

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Thanks for the reply. The 15K budget is all in on lighting and all other equipment including rock, minus coral and fish.

Cool, I gotcha - seems like you're going for a high tech & high-dollar approach.

The only advice I'd share, in relation to ca1ore's comment, is be careful going longer than 6' that the tank is as level as possible - especially if you build your own stand... thats a lot of risk imo and would hate to see 15k leak out onto the floor.

 

[VegetaD]

15K+ on a custom large build goes quickly especially for a dream build 10+ year tank. Custom tank, custom steel tank, Royal Exclusiv sump, lights etc and you stop adding up

 

[Oldreefer44]

I have a similar situation so recommend checking out the Custom Aquariums site. They give you the option of pretty much designing it yourself. Also have much nicer steel framed stands.

 

[WVNed]

MY only advice will be once you finally finish and get a large system running the tank and stand are not the biggest part of the cost. It is easy to blow your budget on the tank.

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Added some disclaimers to my first comment... it's all about how close you're willing to hold your cards.

 

[ca1ore]

15K+ on a custom large build goes quickly especially for a dream build 10+ year tank. Custom tank, custom steel tank, Royal Exclusiv sump, lights etc and you stop adding up

Love minions LOL .....

There ARE ways to save money, though it requires a bit of DIY/handy. I bought my 450 because I do not trust myself to build a tank properly, but i made my own stand and sump. Saved serious $$$. Was coming from a 265, so I had a bunch of the kit on hand already. Don't have to go crazy with lighting from day 1.

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Love minions LOL .....

There ARE ways to save money, though it requires a bit of DIY/handy. I bought my 450 because I do not trust myself to build a tank properly, but i made my own stand and sump. Saved serious $$$. Was coming from a 265, so I had a bunch of the kit on hand already. Don't have to go crazy with lighting from day 1.

Sumps, too. Did a diy kit for a 75g with all the bevels, fuge area, skimmer area, and filter socks you can imagine for 200$. Ended up tossing it out though for a blank 55 gallon just to simplify things. Hardly ever used the filter socks, and now the whole sump is a giant and easier to maintain fuge.

 

[Caseyz]

If I were you, I would not go with Red Sea or waterbox. The stands are put together like ikea furniture. I would go with a non custom tank from a tank builder, and a metal stand.

it will be more expensive, but not like a true custom build. And you’ll have a lot more piece of mind when it comes to keeping this tank for 5-10+ years (hopefully).

They also have standard rimless options. You can skin the stand yourself if you want. This is also not your first rodeo so I think this is a better path forward.

Thanks for this, looks like a much higher quality than the other options I was looking at. Will also allow me to pick my sump and do the plumbing the way that I want.

 

[Caseyz]

So here is what I am thinking at this point based on comments above and my research:

This will obviously evolve as I do more research and gather more comments. Your ideas are welcome. Thanks for everything thus far.

 

[Caseyz]

Another question. If you had the option would you choose an internal overflow or an external overflow? I did a search but couldn't find any real advantages/disadvantages. Seems an internal would be easier to plumb as you would have good access from under the stand. External would be very difficult to get to after the tank is installed (84" tank assumed.)

 

[Thaxxx]

The thing is, once you use up your initial budget. And that's what it is, initial.
You'll have no choice but to buy the things to complete it.
That's when the budgeting goes out the window and you stop keeping track.
Because you don't want to know. Just the way it goes.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Another question. If you had the option would you choose an internal overflow or an external overflow? I did a search but couldn't find any real advantages/disadvantages. Seems an internal would be easier to plumb as you would have good access from under the stand. External would be very difficult to get to after the tank is installed (84" tank assumed.)

I think you answer your own question. I would prefer external because I want that space in the tank. And how it look. With external you can only see the overflow box on the top of the tank and with shadow overflow, it won't be much visible.

You do need to put some more space in the back just in case do you need to replace/clean the overflow box.

BTW. Check out planet aquarium, glasscages for custom aquariums and sump

 

[haitian_reefer]

I’m loving my waterbox. I purchased it through my lfs, so they delivered and installed it.

 

[ScottB]

I am no electrician, but does anybody else have a problem with a single 20 AMP circuit?

My setup is a little bigger but I have my equipment split across two 20s and I still tripped a breaker on power restart.

 

[FishTruck]

I am no electrician, but does anybody else have a problem with a single 20 AMP circuit?

My setup is a little bigger but I have my equipment split across two 20s and I still tripped a breaker on power restart.

For big tanks... I always try to use 2 or 3 circuits and separate critical components to that if one circuit gets tripped, the tank can survive.
At a minimum, separate the system pump from the power heads. As an alternative... you can have a battery backup on the power heads.