Introduction and Question

Hello,
My name is Derek and I am a fishaholic. This is my newly set up FW bar. My specialty is large SW Reef tanks but after having mastered and nearly fully automated my reef tank I got the itch to be creative again. I have constructed this bar from Plywood and www.Sanitred.com liner. This liner material has been time tested and is FDA approved for direct food contact. The measurements are 84" x 35" x 10". The top of the bar has not been installed yet, but it is raised and lowered on 12" linear actuators and have an 8" overhang on the front and side. The tank is filtered with a 75 gallon sump with bioballs. Automatic water topoff is provided by my 75 GPD RO/DI filter. Water changes are automated by a sprinkler valve on my return line which diverts some of the flow to the floor drain and then the auto topoff is activated and refills the sump. I have 8 bags of black sand on backorder from petsmart.

I have not had a FW tank in about 10 years when I had oscars and cats in a 90 with a sump. My question is can i have too many bioballs? I bought 30 gallons worth off e-bay and have about 20 gallons already in the sump and am wondering if they are all necessary. i have plenty of room and balls but I wonder if there is anything potentially detrimental for this setup.

Intended stocking is 2 Motoros from Pat, and 1 silver arrowanna. Other misc fish/food will be added and eaten in short order, I am sure.

I look forward to my adventure into FW stingray tanks.

Derek

I usually don't like to keep track of my hobby expenditures, as my wife would kill me if she found out. I would estimate between the $400 laminate, $350 glass, $330 linear actuators, $180 liner, $100 plywood, $150 sump, $150 pump, $180 sand... Ouch I'm making myself dizzy. ~$2200+ I have free access to a CNC that all of the plywood and misc parts were cut on.

I have been approached by a designer who has some very high end clients for that exactly. I may decide to make a small run 2-5 of these as build-to-order bars. With a 1 to 10 ratio cost to retail I should look for $10-20k. I may even throw in a few feeder fish for that price.