180 build from scratch!
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michika
red headed step child
Nice to meet you PipeFitter!
The Vlamingi is probably a smidge bigger then the naso. I'm going to guess it is about 4.25". He is already out and about, and picking at the algae on the PVC stick. He had a bit of a freak out, but once he got into the tank (there is no way I can QT a fish that size appropriately right now), he calmed right down and just started mingling and making friends. He has also already joined in with the group and is begging when you walk by. We think we may call him Mr. E. Meat.
Do Vlamingis get streamers like most other tangs?
The Vlamingi is probably a smidge bigger then the naso. I'm going to guess it is about 4.25". He is already out and about, and picking at the algae on the PVC stick. He had a bit of a freak out, but once he got into the tank (there is no way I can QT a fish that size appropriately right now), he calmed right down and just started mingling and making friends. He has also already joined in with the group and is begging when you walk by. We think we may call him Mr. E. Meat.
Do Vlamingis get streamers like most other tangs?
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michika
red headed step child
Well I am going to look at houses today, a few just outside of Calgary. The prices are attractive, the houses are huge, and the yards are very large dog and hot tub appropriate.
Since the whole point of our 1K system was to provide lots of lengthwise swimming room, could I still acheive this with a cube-like tank. Say something that is like 6ftx 8ft and probably 2ft tall?
I'm trying to design this new tank with my fish's end forms and sizes in mind. I want the fish to be able to hide, swim, and associate freely without stress. I don't think I plan to add any more large fish to the system, if anything it would be 1 or 2 fish, maybe anthias.
I'm also supposed to be working on the return plumbing and flow for the 180g today. However I can't get the internet to work on my laptop out here (I'm house sitting), so its making it difficult.
Since the whole point of our 1K system was to provide lots of lengthwise swimming room, could I still acheive this with a cube-like tank. Say something that is like 6ftx 8ft and probably 2ft tall?
I'm trying to design this new tank with my fish's end forms and sizes in mind. I want the fish to be able to hide, swim, and associate freely without stress. I don't think I plan to add any more large fish to the system, if anything it would be 1 or 2 fish, maybe anthias.
I'm also supposed to be working on the return plumbing and flow for the 180g today. However I can't get the internet to work on my laptop out here (I'm house sitting), so its making it difficult.
michika
red headed step child
There is a house just down the street from here (I'm at Kevin's sister's place), and its sweet, and has so many potential giant SW tank options. It also has a pool which makes it quite attractive. The HVAC system that I am insisting upon having to control the humidity is already installed and is actually brandnew.
pipe_fitter2007
New member
Notes sent to all. Cath was the tank hard to assemble at all? I want to jump from this 55 I have now to a 180 or a 220 gallon tank. I have looked at them, looked a building them, glass and acrylic. Love your build though. If you had to do it again would you use the same thickness (1/2") or would you have made it all 5/8" glass?
jnarowe
New member
Catherine: When you plan this next tank, and if you believe you will have some of those monster fish, it is very important to give them the room they need (as you have stated).
My tank is 8 x 5 x 35 and do not feel comfortable putting in a vlamingi, even with my very low-lying rock structure. I would go 60" deep in the same footprint or extend the walls to 12 x 6. The other method is to put very few fish in the tank. I have a friend with a 450g and a 14" vlamingi and se is trying to give it to me. I on't take it. 1,000g is not the magic number IMO.
Because you are buying a house to keep a large tank, give yourself a lot of extra room for a larger tank.
My tank is 8 x 5 x 35 and do not feel comfortable putting in a vlamingi, even with my very low-lying rock structure. I would go 60" deep in the same footprint or extend the walls to 12 x 6. The other method is to put very few fish in the tank. I have a friend with a 450g and a 14" vlamingi and se is trying to give it to me. I on't take it. 1,000g is not the magic number IMO.
Because you are buying a house to keep a large tank, give yourself a lot of extra room for a larger tank.
michika
red headed step child
We went with the glass size recommended by the tank builder in our area. I would probably consider going thicker on future builds though, as I've seen a lot of nice overbuilt tanks that just look fantastic. That and the peace of mind is nice.
1K isn't the magic number here, I'm flexible on going bigger, but not really comfortable with going smaller. I like more of a shallow depth, so I don't think I am comfortable with anything deeper then 30" just because I'm such a small person. For a adult Vlamingi i'm thinking 1500K would be a starting size, but would need to provide length and width for lots of swimming room.
We are heading over to see this house near here with the swimming pool in a few minutes. I have a camera, but no video camera, which sucks.
1K isn't the magic number here, I'm flexible on going bigger, but not really comfortable with going smaller. I like more of a shallow depth, so I don't think I am comfortable with anything deeper then 30" just because I'm such a small person. For a adult Vlamingi i'm thinking 1500K would be a starting size, but would need to provide length and width for lots of swimming room.
We are heading over to see this house near here with the swimming pool in a few minutes. I have a camera, but no video camera, which sucks.
jnarowe
New member
so 30" deep is great for aquascaping but to get the water volume, you end up with a lot of glass and a lot of hard-to-reach places.
Couple thoughts to consider are an "L" shaped tank so you can get better access, or going much deeper so you can get into the tank yourself.
I am currently designing a replacement tank and am giving a lot of thought to skipping the stand and going right to the floor, but leaving the viewing pane its present size. This would give me the room to get into the tank, and create a more realistic view of a reef crest, plain, and chasm. Using the 1000W lamps I already have, I could go with no sand bed, lower the entire reef a bit, and leave a LOT of privacy room in the shadows of the chasm.
I am working on a drawing of it I hope to post within a week.
Couple thoughts to consider are an "L" shaped tank so you can get better access, or going much deeper so you can get into the tank yourself.
I am currently designing a replacement tank and am giving a lot of thought to skipping the stand and going right to the floor, but leaving the viewing pane its present size. This would give me the room to get into the tank, and create a more realistic view of a reef crest, plain, and chasm. Using the 1000W lamps I already have, I could go with no sand bed, lower the entire reef a bit, and leave a LOT of privacy room in the shadows of the chasm.
I am working on a drawing of it I hope to post within a week.
pipe_fitter2007
New member
Cool... Swimming in your own reef...
michika
red headed step child
The house was a bust, lots of pillars in the basement, enough so to ruin any plans of a tank. The "pool" had become a pit that would require a lot of money and time to make it usable. We are passing on the house and its neon blue carpet.
I'm heading over to look at your stuff J. I have time to plan and research everything so I might as well make use of it.
I'm heading over to look at your stuff J. I have time to plan and research everything so I might as well make use of it.
maroun.c
New member
Congrats on your new addition.
As he's still 4.25 inch I guess you stil have lots of time to get your new system running.
As for the new tank I guess there will not be much additional expense to go bigger. If I remember correctly the same increase in width (or do I have to redo the calculations again?) will give you the best increase in water volume, yet i guess when you have enough space for the fish to turn comfortably then your only worry would be length.
finally whatever size you do, you will regret not going bigger very fast. I still haven't finished my 150 and am already hoping I went even bigger.
As he's still 4.25 inch I guess you stil have lots of time to get your new system running.
As for the new tank I guess there will not be much additional expense to go bigger. If I remember correctly the same increase in width (or do I have to redo the calculations again?) will give you the best increase in water volume, yet i guess when you have enough space for the fish to turn comfortably then your only worry would be length.
finally whatever size you do, you will regret not going bigger very fast. I still haven't finished my 150 and am already hoping I went even bigger.
michika
red headed step child
If I could financially support it every month without worry, had no humidity worries, and could find a house that would work for it, then yes.
We are also trying to figure out a few good ways t o create random water movement that will not suck up our entire electricity bill. I like what J has posted in his thread about his potential new build. For us building the tank isn't going to be an issue (I can see these being famous last words...), but keeping it up and running at a level that I am comfortable with.
Pretty much the deal is I don't want to be spending $600 a month extra on just electricity. I don't want to feel chained to my house all the time because I can't afford to go out and do something.
We are also trying to figure out a few good ways t o create random water movement that will not suck up our entire electricity bill. I like what J has posted in his thread about his potential new build. For us building the tank isn't going to be an issue (I can see these being famous last words...), but keeping it up and running at a level that I am comfortable with.
Pretty much the deal is I don't want to be spending $600 a month extra on just electricity. I don't want to feel chained to my house all the time because I can't afford to go out and do something.
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