SPStoner's Marineland 200 Deep Dimension

[SPStoner]

Here's some pictures and info about my setup. About a year ago, I lost most of my extensive coral collection to a week long, ice storm induced power outage. While it was extremely depressing to lose so many pieces, some of which I had kept for over 12 years, I saw the opportunity to start fresh with a bigger setup, and so it began.

I started with the 200 gallon deep dimension tank from Marineland. The tank is 48L x 36W x 27H, and has the Starphire front glass option.

Ready to fill!:

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[SPStoner]

Images not working for some reason...I'll try again.

 

[SPStoner]

Ok, for equipment, I chose the following:


Lighting: I went with 400 watt, single ended bulbs. I chose the Lumenmax Elite reflectors, based on a recommendation from Sanjay, and I am really happy with them. Also, for simplicity sake, I went with the Lumatek 400watt electronic ballasts. More on those later... for bulbs, I started with the 400 watt Helios 20K's. These are a VERY blue bulb. Putting them side by side with a 20K radium makes the Radium look white! I do really like the blue look, but will probably go back to Radiums in a month or so, mostly because the Helios have become hard to get here in Ohio.

I mounted these in the stock Marineland canopy. There is not a lot of clearance from light to water surface, about 8 inches, but I theorized that this would reduce the shadow from the center brace, which did in fact work to a certain degree.

Also, I added 2 - 46.5 inch VHO actinics (Icecap ballast with URI bulbs). Old school, I know, but effective. I also added 2 four inch fans to either side of the canopy blowing in across the bulbs, and also added two of the Powebrite Actinic LED strips.

 

[SPStoner]

 

[SPStoner]

Filtration:

I kept the same sump I had used with my old setup. It was custom made for me and ius just a 36x34x18 inch acrylic eurobraced "box". I am using an Iwaki 55 for my return pump, running through the two standard Locline returns, and also using a separate NJ5500 running through a 3/4 inch Sea swirl.

For the skimmer, I downsized from an H&S A-300 ( awesome skimmer, but way too much size, power consumption, and maintenance for my needs) and went with the 8" diameter Octopus Extreme in sump model, powered by the 2500 Sicce pump. I have to say, I love this skimmer! It has been reliable and efficient and very easy to clean.

I also am running a Schurann JS2 calcium reactor, IMO the Mercedes of reactors, and a Schurann Multifilter, which I am using to run GFO. I have also a Geo Kalk stirrer, which all top off runs through.


In the tank, I have a Vortech MP40 and a Tunze stream (older model..can't recall the size).

 

[SPStoner]

For temperature control, I am running 2 - 400 watt Visitherm heaters and a 1/2 HP Oceanic chiller, run through a Ranco controller.

I love the Oceanic chiller. very quiet, sleek look, and has worked flawlessly. The only small gripe I have is the built in controller allows too much of a temp swing before kicking on, so I went with the external ranco, which works great.

 

[amore169]

Really nice!!! Welcome.

 

[SPStoner]

So, here are some shots of the tank after it was setup. First, to fill, I use RO/DI water ( currently have Kent unit, but a new one from Aquaticlife is on the way!) and reef Crystals salt. I decided to go with a think, less than 1/2" layer of substrate in the tank. I had always been a BB guy, but wanted to change it up this time.

I added about 160 lbs of rock from my old system and all of the fish, listed here:

Lineatus Fairy Wrasse, Purple Tang, Foxface, Possum Wrasse, Melanurus Wrasse, Copperband Butterfly, and a few others...

 

[SPStoner]

I have a frag tank that is plumbed to the same sump/ filtration, so was able to keep all the rock and fish alive while I got the new display going, and didnt have to "cycle".

Full Tank Shot:

 

[SPStoner]

 

[SPStoner]

Frag Tank is 48x 24x 12, glass tank.

I recently switched the frag tank from 2 - 400w Halides to a 4 foot HQI / T5 fixture with 2 x 150w HQI and 4 - 54w T5 Actinics. I really like this new fixture, and with the very shallow frag tank I have, the 150w is more than enough light.

 

[SPStoner]

I also wanted to add that every coral in this tank was grown out from a frag. No wild specimens.

 

[SPStoner]

 

[SPStoner]

 

[purplereef]

Awesome Tony! Nice write up.

 

[SPStoner]

Thanks, Dan!

 

[SaraB]

Welcome to R2R Tony! Nice to see you over here and your tank looks fantastic!

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Looks awesome, nice dimensions! I'm 48"L x 36"W too (24.5"H)

 

[subielover]

Very nice set-up, and great looking tank!

 

[trippkid]

Looking good, I really like the size of your tank, nice equipment too.
Matt