New 175 gallon aquarium, advice appreciated

Hey there reefers and aquarists,

Like most of the newcomers to the hobby that seek advice from the expert hobbyists I’m currently planning my first salt water tank. The information on the internet is endless so much to read and so much to learn, the vast knowledge is very confusing. This setup or that, with each and every post there seems to be an addition to the hobby and all the reading has rendered me confused as to what to start out with. The main issue that seems endless to me is filtration. OMG ! At first it seemed like a canister filter would do the job then came the issue of using LR as media instead of the bio balls then came along sintered glass media and with more reading I started to think about a DSB and a sump setup with LR. The more I read the more knowledge I gain but the more confused I become so then it became obvious; I’ve gotta ask the people for advice since they already have an up and running aquarium.

This is the basic setup I’ve been working on:

Tank: This is a custom made in wall show tank with a custom made metal stand, the dimensions are 73x31x18 = 175 gallon tank. I will be using either 1cm tempered glass or 15mm float glass reinforced by corner cover strips and both longitudinal and cross braces.

Heater: 2 x 300w heaters (Jager submersible vs Hydor inline)

Lighting: NO fluorescent lighting system

Substrate: Crushed coral vs Collected live sand

Protein skimmer: BOYU Protein Skimmer DG- 2524

2 Power heads for current and surface agitation on opposite sides

2 Digital thermometers on each side

3 Stage tap water filter (5 micron sediment filter, carbon block filter, granulated carbon filter)

BOYU UV Sterilizer - UVC- 40watt

Salt mix: Instant ocean (Although I am considering real sea water to reduce expenses)

**Filtration** : This is where it gets complicated, at first I was going to start off with an Eheim Canister filter 2076 or 2080 but then I thought about a cheaper alternative without compromising neither efficiency nor capacity. This is when I thought about a DIY Sump (30gallon) with a live rock + DSB compartment but I’m not quite sure if I can get all the live rock necessary(175lbs). I live an hr away from the sea and a few hours away from highly populated reefs (red sea) which has got me thinking about collecting my own LR and LS but that’s another story. Would it be possible to substitute the canister filter by adding extra compartments in the sump for the bio balls or any other media ?

I would appreciate it if you could give me some feedback regarding my setup, future marine aquarist in progress needs some advice.

 

WELCOME TO 3REEF!!!!
When it comes to cheaper filtration, or anything in the hobby for that matter, what you pay for is what you get!
If you get the more expensive items now, it will save you a lot of trouble and heartache later.
Excellent choice in joining our site, wonderful people here and a lot of great advise.

 

What type of lights are you goning to be using? also what two power heads? i have a 180 and ik for a fact unless they are mp40s your probably gonna need more water movement cant wait to see pics this sounds like its gonna be sick!

 

Also i would NOT use real sal****er. i have heard it contains things that most of the creations we get from pet stores is not used to! such as sickness causeing bacteria! thats what ive heard i could be wrong

 

Don't use NO fluorescent lights--You will have serious algae issues--- +1 on not using real seawater--I.O. is cheap

 

lol just wondering why it edited that word?

 

You might try spacing Salt and Water....if you take the T from salt and the WAT from water...well, its a naughty word:-[. The sight blocks any words it finds inappropriate.;D