New 350 gallon tank

I guess I'll chime in here... I THINK 1.5" is 1200gph. I have read that somewhere.

As for sump size.. People say go as big as possible. A good size is half your display. Do a DIY out of a standard size tank and its the most cost effective.

Flow through your sump... You really only need what your skimmer is rated for per hr or 3-5x turn over per hr. anything extra is just overkill. Leave the flow in your DT to powerheads or closed loops.

As for return.. You need to decide on your flow requirements for your sump and match that to a pump then do your plumbing off of the pump specs.

 

So I am doing 2 x 1.5 so that's 2400 gph ?

 

GPM/GPH Flow based on PVC Pipe Size, ie, How much water can flow through Sch 40 Pvc Pipe Size 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1.5" 2" 2.5" 3" 4" 6"

Found the link... I was wrong. Its higher. 1.5 says its 2100 gph. 2" is 3300. Lot of flow. Check it out.

If I were you, I wouldn't order anything yet until I had the answers to the following.
1. Am I running a skimmer... What brand/size and ratings
2. How big of a sump do I want... What can I fit? Do I need a huge sump for FOWLR tank?

Now I know the answers to 1 and 2..
3. How much flow do I want through my sump..Am I 3 to 5 times the display volume per hour? OR am I going to match the flow to what my skimmer is rated for.

Now I know the answer to those

4. Pump choice.. Am I submersible or external.
a. Submersible.. what is the outlet requirements.. The answer to that will tell me what to drill in my display overflow box.
b. External...Now i have to drill my sump to match the inlet to my pump and same thing for the outlet to my display.

Next..

Additional flow... do I want a closed loop or just do MP40's or 60''s

If I do Closed loop now i need to figure out that Inlet and outlet holes throughout the tank.

After all that then I would order my tank with all that exact knowledge.

 

Looks great, I know what I want already here.
2x1.5 drilled holes, with ball values to regulate flow from tank, I am putting a 100 gallon sump/refugium in with a skimmer sitting in the skimmer section, (while I won't have a bio load from corals, my fish population will certainly grow)
As for which skimmer , I have narrowed it down to 2 units, either will sit in the area I have for skimmer partition area.

 

i am insanely jealous of you

 

Size wise, your system will be similar to my FOWLR tanks. I have a 180 and a 300 fed by a basement sump using a Dart pump. Filter socks in two locations and the 300 is bb, keeping the whole system very clean.

 

+1 To that.

 

Ken, Congrats on your new build!

But WAIT A MINUTE!
you said: ' 2x1.5 drilled holes, with ball values to regulate flow from tank,'

Ken, regulating flow FROM the tank is NEVER a good idea.
I think you meant regulating flow TO the tank, the return is what ever is going into the sump.
Regulate flow from the tank- and you might be mopping!

Again, keep up all the good work on your planning stages, etc.

Is this going to be a glass tank?, any in wall plans?

 

Congrats on the new tank Scuba! I think all of your fish choices sound awesome. You could probably have different types of clowns. Having some of those gorgeous angels that always make me go "awwww, how beautiful" at the LFS is going to be awesome. I agree that a clown trigger if you get it on the smaller size would be a great addition - they are probably one of my favorite fish...a niger trigger would also be a great addition. Your choices are endless with that size of tank - it will just be a matter of deciding when you have an appropriate number (factoring in grown sizes). Triggers are actually very hardy fish and food wise, eat pretty much what you would feed a variety of fish - making sure you provide a varied diet. They do eat inverts - that is one serious downside to them. Mine really like tiny hermits....