How Big Is Too Big???

[tabwyo]

My wfe and I just purchased a 5 bed, 2.75 bath wo story home. One of the rooms and ajoining bathrooms are going to be my "fish room". The plan is to build a 300+ in wall system. Currently, though, I am only running a 70. I was wondering if I can go ahead and construct a ATS large enough to handle the 300g system and run it on the 70 until the build is complete?? I figure the only limiting factor would be the available nutrients needed for the algae to grow.

[SantaMonica]

Yes you could do that. Actually if you just start over-feeding the 70, you'll have enough nutrients to match the 300 (and, your 70 will be a little closer to the amount of food on a real reef... maybe 3 percent instead of 1 percent.)

[tabwyo]

The total system design will incorperate an ATS with a 55g DSB fuge underneath, and once my current rock cooks a lightless high flow "cryptic" fuge containing 80+ pounds of rock. The viewable in wall display would only maybe be around 175 gallons. The other 125+ gallons would be didicated to natural filtration and food production methods. And the only reason I am even considering this is because I'll have the space, the means and the time to do so.

[kcress]

You can also set up your lighting and just run it for a much shorter time or only half the fixtures at a time, etc.

Keep in mind all this exposed water ATS, 300, 175,,,,, will require some serious planning on humidity dealings.

[tabwyo]

First addition to the fishroom will be a hefty ventiltion system.