150 gal build

So I have recently been tasked with building a 150 gallon reef tank. I have a 125. This tank I am building is for a local restaraunt. They were having a lot of problems with some guy who wasnt doing a good job(Freshwater). Ive been offered decent money to take care of it and turn it into a reef.....and pretty much an unlimited budget (within reason) to get it started. I was thinking a 12 light T5 setup 72 inches long with LED's, Reefoctopus skimmer, 50 gallon sump, an air water and ice rodi unit. Any other major purchases come to mind? Ive reminded the owner that these things dont happen over night. Also, metal halides do not seem to be something he wants to invest in.

 

Sounds like the major stuff. Maybe an ATO. The T5HO fixture you are looking at should let you keep anything you want as long as it has individual reflectors.

 

Maybe a controller and a reliable return pump (or pumps). Down the road, depending on your maintenance availability, maybe a CA reactor or a good auto dosing system for 2-part, this would require less hands-on maintenance.

 

What would be good is if Oceanic invented a 150 gal BioRectangle.

Now back to being serious: Would he allow you to purchase Vortech Powerheads? And If you could get hold of an I-tech 200 skimmer, that'd be great filtration.

 

Personally, I would highly consider fake corals. There are some very realistic ones out there. They would keep maintenance and cost WAY down. This would also allow you to have Butterflies and Angels.
JMO

As for what is needed....
A very, very good skimmer. This tank needs to sparkle every day that they are open.

 

I couldnt agree more. I have a skimmer rated for 400 gallons on my 125. It makes a difference.

 

Fake corals? Hmm...that could be something I will look into. I have kept an angel though with no issues of him picking at corals. While I am no expert and I know all fish have their own personality I believe if you keep them well fed....they will lose interest in your corals.

 

Another question I have. My 125 has 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates. I still have some cyno and diatoms. Not a lot but it is consistent. This isnt something I would want in the lobby of nice steak house. Any ideas on what could be causing my algae to live on??

 

post pic of the setup once you get it up and running in the restaurant

 

Will do. It will be a while though. I have to order all of my equipment and I have to remove all of the freshwater fish currently in the tank. Actually I think I will be posting pics of my progress as I go along.