Setting up a 400gallon tank

[bkl911]

Well, I have finalized a deal on a 400 gallon tank and will have a few questions about setting it up.

 

It is drilled in two spots on the bottom and I need to get a pump for a closed loop...it seems everyone uses a Dart pump...is this the best pump for this use?

 

It is an acrylic tank, but completely covered in coraline algae. I know vinegar is best to clean it...but do I just spray vinegar on and let it soak in and use something like a credit card to scrape it? Of course I don't want to scratch the inside.

 

Last question, I plan on doing some aquascaping and am going to use SixLines technique with the rods and pavers to make some columns. Is it best to aquascape the tank while empty? I have about 400lbs of live rock in a 180g tank and a 55g tank and don't want too much die off. Obviously I am going to use the water from both of those tanks, but will probably need an additional 200+ gallons to get the 400g tank and 75g sump and 40g refugium filled. My RO unit makes about 100g a day, but I can only store so much. I have a 40g RO tank and bought two 55g drums. Would it be ok to premix about 200g of saltwater in the tank then aquascape and move the contents of the 180 and 55 into the new tank? I will probably do a sand bottom and will use some live sand from the 55g, but dump the sand from the 180g tank. I will probably add 300lbs of new sand.I want to minimize nitrates and a new cycle. Thanks.

[treesprite]

If the tank is completely empty, there's no reason to not just mix the water in the tank.

 

If you do your aquascaping in a dry tank you might have die-off on your liverock due to it being out of water while setting up.

[lhcorals]

You will probably have die off doing it that way. That way is IMO the best way. As far a vinegar you should fill the aquarium with water and vinegar with a power head in it and it will do the job for you. It doesnt take that long for the vinegar to do the job. Make sure you rinse really well.

[DDiver]

i would go a little bigger than a Dart on a 400g but thats JMO...

[bkl911]

i would go a little bigger than a Dart on a 400g but thats JMO...

 

 

Thanks and I truly appreciate your opinion. Now I am looking at bigger pumps like a Barracuda for the closed loop and for the return.

 

I will say there is so much more to think about when setting up a tank like this.

[bablu]

There's a video that may be of some use for you on

at http://www.saltwaterhub.com/Aquarium-Problems.shtml I've been finding the site useful.

[reefmontalvo]

I just finished setting up my 120 from a 75 and before then I went from a 55 to a 75 with the same process.

 

I would start by placing the sand on the bottom first then start filling the tank with your pre mixed saltwater or freshwater, leave some power heads running in the tank with a heater as to keep the water warm and circulating check the salinity periodically as the tank fills. It

Edited May 10, 2009 by reefmontalvo

[overklok]

Do not scrape the coraline algae off the tank, unless you like scratches. You need to soak the tank in full strength white vinegar. The best method is to lay the tank on the panel you want to clean. Pour the vinegar onto the panel and let it soak for at least 24 hours. The algae will turn to mush, rinse it out with fresh water. Never scrape an acrylic tank.

Edited May 10, 2009 by overklok

[reefmontalvo]

Do not scrape the coraline algae off the tank, unless you like scratches. You need to soak the tank in full strength white vinegar. The best method is to lay the tank on the panel you want to clean. Pour the vinegar onto the panel and let it soak for at least 24 hours. The algae will turn to mush, rinse it out with fresh water. Never scrape an acrylic tank.

 

If you use and Acrylic scraper on an Acrylic tank and your carefull with what your doing you will be fine. I have done many tanks this way and have taken my time with each one of these tanks. You just do not want to use something that is harder than the Acrylic when scraping.

[NAGA]

Having dealt with this problem many times before ...................I just put some muratic acid in the tank with water and let it sit for days and it melts off...........no scraping needed.