What would be the benefits, if any, of this size tank?

[MarkS]

4' wide x 4' deep x 2' tall; 224 gallons.

What could I put in it in the way of fish and corals? How would you light a tank like this? What would you use for water circulation? Filtration?

Any help, because I have already started building it...

Mark

[golfish]

It would maker a good reef but you would need at least 3 MH's. It should be fine for most fish and corals. What do you want to keep? You will have to be able to get to it from 3 sides to be able to clean the glass. A tank like this makes the best reefs, This is why I got such a wide tank. I have something kinda like it but its only 2.5 feet deep\wide.

Filtration: Deep sand bed, 200+ pounds of live rock and a GOOD skimmer

[Ironreef]

I agree. thats the size i want or something similar someday

[MarkS]

I would like to keep a tang or maybe a small angel fish, but I don't know if this would be big enough. It will be a reef. I am thinking about a school of green chromis and maybe several clownfish with anemones.

Also, it's a wooden tank. It will have a epoxy/fiberglass shell inside. I'll post pics and more tank info in the DIY forum in a few days. There will only be glass on the front. Cleaning will not be a problem.

I am thinking about 4 400watt sunburst MH bulbs with two 48" actinic VHO's for lighting. Is that a good combination?

I will have a deep sand bed, but I am still thinking about the rock. Since it will only be visible from the front, I am thinking about some sort of rack system so that the live rock only forms a "shell" with a very large void inside the rock work. Otherwise, it will have alot of base rock and I will seed it with a good amount of live rock. Money will be the most important issue here.

I am still debating the skimmer. I think a ecosystem based filter/sump would be better.

There are going to be two 1" drains at the back two corners. The returns will be 1" and I will probably use spray bars.

Mark

[organicreefer]

great dimensions!lots of surface area for gas exchange,and im just drooling thinking about aquascape possibilities.good luck with the wood part though.............