Deciding about a 220 gal...

[nickerber]

I don't often post on here, but I'm looking for some advice/feedback. My friend owns the nearby LFS and he told me about an August sale on large tanks, and there's a good deal on a 220 gal reef ready tank with a stand. I had a 55 gal SW tank for about 1 year and I had to take it down because I moved to a smaller apt.

Now I own my own house and the basement is 1/2 finished, and perfect for a large tank built into the wall for viewing on the finished side. I'm seriously considering the tank but I have some questions...

1) What about water changes? I would imagine this is going to mean a LOT of waste water and I'm on a septic now, not city water. How many gallons would I expect? Can I put it down the drain or should I find a dumping ground in my yard?

2) How big of a jump in the electric bill should I expect? I heard people are ditching LED lights and going back to MH. Is this true? On a 220 tank will I have a HUGE electric bill?

3) How much sand/rock would I need?

I've never had such a large tank and I'm really nervous about pulling the trigger. I guess I'm asking other large tank owners what kind of monster this is.

[Dmorty217]

Water changes are a preference IMO but with a well/septic system your RO will be running a lot. My 220g goes thru 15-20g of evap a week in the summer. It cost me about 35-45$ per month to run my tank. Sand and rock amount is also a preference. I have 400lbs of sand and close to 375-400lbs of rock in the tank

Water changes shouldn't go down the drain to the septic system, just dump in the yard somewhere. I do 75-100g water changes on my tank every month and a half to two months on average

[ca1ore]

I have been running large tanks for years and waste water has not affected my septic system (I have it inspected every couple of years). Currently I have a 265, and run it with LED as my main lights. I see no reason to go back to MH (though cost savings aren't as much as I thought they'd be). Amount of sand and rock depends very much on the look you are going for. I used about 120 pounds of sand, and 150 of rock; but I like an open look.

[nickerber]

The advice you both gave is awesome! I think I'm going to go ahead and take the plunge. It will be a LONG journey, probably a year to get fully up and going with fish, just because of cost and that I just bought a house, so I have other things to work on too.

[mypepper]

Go for it....You only live once.

I've had my 90 gallon reef for years and I'm also going to upgrade soon, probably the Deep Sea Aquatics 190 Pro.

I have all the equipment and extra live rock in the garage that has been curing for two years in 55 gallon garbage container. Of course the curing process was only because I went from a bullet reef system years back and now I prefer a open rock work system. Very pleasing to the eyes and much better for the fish.

Buying just the tank and stand are the cheap part of this hobby. It's the rest of the mandatory equipment like, pumps, lights, protein skimmer, controller and sump setups that will cost you.

Take all the time you need and good luck on your new build and keep us posted.

By the way, this is one of the best addictions anyone can experience in their life time.

Randy

[nickerber]

I decided to go for it... haven't officially placed the order but I will soon. I'll just have to take things slowly.

[Dmorty217]

Originally Posted by nickerber

I decided to go for it... haven't officially placed the order but I will soon. I'll just have to take things slowly.

^ This is the best course of action since nothing good happens quickly in this hobby

[daplatapus]

Yup, go for it. I'm running 2 years on my build and it may see water this fall Slow and steady wins the race...