DIY 392.7 Gallon tank build ideas and suggestions

[JayP]

I am having a tank built or I am building my self. I still haven't figured it out which would be better ? I am leaning toward Acrylic but with that being said there are no Acrylic tank builders in Nova Scotia where I live, (that I have found yet). So I will have to build it.
The tank dimensions will be L,W,H 84"x 36"X30". I really like the idea of sumps and over flow boxes ?
IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO HAVE A SUMP AND OVER FLOW BOXES OR COULD I JUST USE A FX5 OR TWO ?
Bracing is that also a good idea ? PLEASE ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE A GREAT HELP AS THIS IS MY BABY AND FIRST BUILD !​

 

[Kribensis4me]

I have heat alot of people that LOVE sumps and others who dont. Have not gone that rout personaley. But from what I gather the sump can store and be used for more things then any other filter out there. And the typical answer is you can have your Protein Skimmer and heaters all hidden under your tank verses heaters and filter intakes all over the place.

My debate of the sumps is that it apears to filter the surface water more then anything ells. But I am still researching the idea myself. But once you have a SOLID STRUCTURE. The hard part is done. After that think about your fish. Not look, money, are trends. Filter that water anyway you can. FILTER FILTER FILTER.

I did just think of one thing. Depending on the size of a sump. Im sure the cost to run it is alot cheaper then 2 Flu XP5's or a bunch of my favorite Rena XP4 filters.

FOCUS on building your ideal dream tank. After that you have tons of filtration options and the time you will need to cycle it. I dont know it all and I dont know alot but with the thought of me building a 300+ gallon aquarium for myself. Focus one one thing at a time. The rest will come together as you stare and a big empty aquarium. hehhe

I hope others here may help you more. But looking at everything at one time helps nothing. Build your home and worry about the rest after that. Good luck and hope its a better new year for you and yours.

 

[JayP]

Wow thanks so much for the great advice and idea`s. I guess your right worry about one thing at a time. still a bit off time left before I even start this build but I love the idea of arming myself with as much information as I can. I think I will do a sump or sorts, A friend mentions wet/dry so maybe research it more. Any how thanks again and cheer.
JayP