Buying a 500 Gal Tank and equipment?

SaltwaterTank · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 10:43 AM

I was wondering were you guys would recommend getting this size of tank? This is going to be a fish only tank.
What would you run for a Skimmer, Lighting, or any other equipment. Feel free to add anything that you would like.

mark0933 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 12:12 PM

Is this your first tank, if so I'd say no, start with a 90 - big enough that you have a learning curve, but not so big you are overwhelmed from the start.

As for skimmer, I like the Orca skimmers (and you can pick up now at a decent price)

Lighting, depends on the footprint of the tank (and how deep it is)

Mark

PS - I went from a 20 to a 110 then 2x 110 then to my current 720G tank. The 720 is great, but I wouldn't start there.

evolutionracr · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 12:43 PM

May I ask why you want to start off with such a large tank? You will have alot of $ tied up in equipment, let alone water changes and your electricity bill. If this is your first sw tank if it is, I would go with something much smaller and try the hobby out. Make sure that you are willing to put the work and $ into it, even when things are going ot so well. A lot of people jump into the hobby head first and later find out it was not for them. On the other hand a lot of people take it slow and find out this is one of the best and most rewarding hobbies out there. Just do your research and do not buy anything on a whim. Good luck.

SaltwaterTank · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 01:14 PM

This is not my first tank. I have been in saltwater for 6 yrs. I have had a 55, 110, 120, and a 240. I was just trying to see what you guys would suggest for the following questions.

SaltwaterTank · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 01:17 PM

What does your equipment list look like for your 720, if you dont mind? Also were did you purchase your 720

triggerfreak · #6 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 01:27 PM

Well with a tank that big it would need to be acrylic.Contact Kees icon

aquarium in shelby township.I know they have a person that builds them.That is where they got there 1000 gallon from.Also pm reptileblvd.He has a 600 gallon shark tank and it was also custom built out of acrylic.I think all tanks that big are custum built when you order them.

evolutionracr · #7 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 01:28 PM

My bad, then I say go for it. I do not have any equipment suggestions but I know there are alot of reefers on here that have nice size tanks that can help you out.

tanglovers · #8 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 01:44 PM

A 500 gallon does not have to be acrylic but likely is.

The 600 we will be building in a year or two will be glass.

Arnett · #9 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 02:04 PM

i would say go with reeflow for
return pump, two darts one on closed loop one one overflow/ sump , or a hammerhead is what i use .

skimmer- ati , reeflow, aqua c ,bubble king, octopus, ATI are good starts
I use ETSS very good but way to load for most people and needs a good sized pump just for it !, so i would say no on them unless its almost free !

I would go reeflow or mrc reeflow verson if there alot of room /not under the stand or , / under the tank, bubble king style skimmer

i will try to add more as i think . lol

triggerfreak · #10 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 02:05 PM

That is going to one hell of a heavy glass tank.It will take 6 people to move it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanglovers

A 500 gallon does not have to be acrylic but likely is.

The 600 we will be building in a year or two will be glass.

Arnett · #11 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggerfreak

That is going to one hell of a heavy glass tank.It will take 6 people to move it.

mine took 10 people to move

ryan72 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 03:06 PM

for fish only I'd go with a reeflo orca skimmer, 2 icecap 660s running 8 T5s (you could go much less with lights, but most like the color and crisp look). You could likely use workhorse 7s and get longer life on the bulbs, but they'd be dimmer). Sequence pumps are the best. Depending on the flow Id go one or two for the return and one on a closed loop.

I think the biggerst concern on a tank that size is how to correctly deal with the amount of evaporation and humidity it adds to the house.

tanglovers · #13 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 03:27 PM

I am planning on a dozen people at least to move the tank when we get to that point. I strongly considering building on site but have decided against this. We have a walkout and only need to move the tank 30-40 feet total.

Sharkbaitz · #14 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 04:08 PM

haha just because he joined recently does not mean he is a newbie to SW. Love to see the monster tank whenever you set it up!

TomToro · #15 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 05:48 PM

I say if you have the money, do it. More water volume means more water stability, wider options on fish choice and good God, it's a huge tank. If you've been in for 6 years, you know the in's and out's.

I like the etss skimmers, but they're energy hogs, but if you're going 500, you're going to burn some wattage anyway. Besides, if you're going fish only, you'll save on lighting so it's sort of a wash.

I'd like to see a build thread on a 500 gallon tank. Wish I could afford one.