New setup, need advice!

[jackstir34]

Hello all!

So I'm setting up a new 210 gallon drilled glass aquarium. Dimensions are 72.5x24.5x29.625. It has dual overflows at the rear of the tank centered on the left and right "compartments". I hope that was enough for a visual. Lighting I'm going with 3 ecotech radion XR30w pro gen 4. I'm still debating on whether I should use a sump filter, or a fuge style. I hear you should turn your water over in your tank at least 5 times an hour. That seems like too much flow for a fuge. Next is a protein skimmer. I have limited space in my stand (28" to bottom of tank, 22" wide) for 2 pumps and the protein skimmers footprint. I refuse to use an hob. Bad experiences. Lastly, tank heating. I know there are heaters that people use in one end of the sump with the thermostat in the front end of the sump, but that would lead me to believe that heater would NEVER shut off. So that's it, any info is helpful. I appreciate your time in advance.

 

[mcarroll]

If you haven't looked at lots of three-radeon six-foot tanks, you should be looking....make sure you like the look with the shadows before you get started.

Decouple the fuge flow from the refugium if you want lower flow - feed its compartment with a small pump. I've seen MRC do this on their "high flow" sumps.

I recommend right-sized heaters in every tank on the system – no special deployment required. Heating the display from the sump is very inefficient AND makes you dependent on ONE heater that's big enough to cause REAL problems if it fails...no matter if it fails on or off.

I'd recommend a Tuner 9415 if you can fit it.
DOC Skimmer 9415 ($584)

The smaller 9410 is only slightly under-sized if you need to consider something smaller, but I bet the 9415 will fit. And it's a beast.

 

[Brew12]

Lastly, tank heating. I know there are heaters that people use in one end of the sump with the thermostat in the front end of the sump, but that would lead me to believe that heater would NEVER shut off.

As long as you have good flow throughout your system the temperatures will stay fairly uniform. Now if you ran a basement sump it could make a difference.
I would point out that the the heater will run (almost) the same amount regardless of where you put the temp probe. The only impact on temp probe placement will be on the average tank temperature. If you put the temp probe in the sump before the heater your tank will run warmer. If you put it after the heater the tank will run cooler. Putting it in the DT will control it at that temperature. The higher the flow through the sump, the more this effect will be minimized.

Hope that helps!