300 / 125 set-up need lots of advise!!!!!

[svb57]

Okay I am going to try and explain something that I have in my head. Not sure it will make since at first but hopefully enough of you out there will understand and we can come up with the solutions.

I have purchased a 300 tank and currently have a 125 that I want to keep. I have one wall to ptt these two tanks in and it is only 9 foot long. What I want to do is put them both in the wall one above the other, (300 on top). Has anyone ever tried this???

Problems as I see them so far:

ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ I need the stand to span 6' so there is no obstruction in front of the 125 that would be below. I was thinking of using (4) sets of (3) 2x4's made like an ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œIââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ beam. Or I can go with (2) sets of (4) 2x6ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s laminated as an ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œIââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ beam? Or use actual metal ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œIââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ beams?

ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ Will I have enough room above the 300 tank for access and lightning? I expect to have approximately 18ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ from the top of the tank to the ceiling and will be using Reef Optix III pendants.

ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ Plumbing the 300 alone is not an issue. However, one of the major issues I am having is plumbing the 125 drains, for the overflows, that come out the bottom, which will almost be on the floor. How can I plumb these into a ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œsystemââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ without having to worry about overflows or having to ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œtimeââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ pump outputs?

Other problems you would think this set-up would cause?

Thanks
Jim Mc

 

[pondfrog]

Problems....ummm.....how many do you want!

Seriously it sounds interesting, and I don't want to be totally negative, but over the years I have found that if a tank is difficult to access/clean/maintain/ rearange it will eventually be a nightmarish headache!!

I dont' see how you can create the above scenario and maintain good access to especially the 125. The 300 should be doable, but getting underneath a 300 for complete easy access..........

Having said that-- in response to your questions.
Have a steel frame/stand built for the 300. This will give you undoubtedly the best open space you can create and is very strong. Don't mess around with wood of any kind. I had my 300 on a 1" steel tubular stand--it will hold a ton!!

The access to the 300 will be fine as long as you put your lights on rails and can slide them back behind the tank. I am currently doing this on my project and will have photos available soon. Basically you use barn door rails.

What do you mean by plumbing the 125 into a system? Surely you don't mean draining the 300 into the 125--eeek!
Your best option would be to drill holes in the floor and run to a remote sump on a lower level (basement?).
If that is not possible than redundant check valves will be needed. They will create head and cut back on your flow, but will be an absolute necessity!!.

HTH,
Steve

 

[svb57]

Steve,

Thanks for your feedback. I was going to have the 125 as an anemone tank.

I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t' see how you can create the above scenario and maintain good access to especially the 125. The 300 should be doable, but getting underneath a 300 for complete easy access..........
The 125 will have only 10" above tank to access it and that isnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t much room to access.

Have a steel frame/stand built for the 300. This will give you undoubtedly the best open space you can create and is very strong. Don't mess around with wood of any kind. I had my 300 on a 1" steel tubular stand--it will hold a ton!!
Your right the steel stand is the way to go.

What do you mean by plumbing the 125 into a system? Surely you don't mean draining the 300 into the 125--eeek!
No! The 300 will not drain into the 125 below it. I want both to drain into same sump, but not sure how to get that to happen!

Your best option would be to drill holes in the floor and run to a remote sump on a lower level (basement?).
The tanks are in the basement so can not go ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œthroughââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ the floor. So how do I accomplish getting both into a sump?

Again thanks for the feedback
Jim Mc

 

[pondfrog]

10" will obviously be tight and heat maybe an issue as it will accumulate under the 300 even with fans blowing. Most anemone's are MH needing so in an enclosed space you might need an extrasized chiller.

I assume you have a concrete floor basment, so bear with my crazy idea for a minute!!!

you could solve both the heat issues and the "sump being above the 125 issue" by breaking open a hole in the concrete floor say about 5' by 3' and sinking a 100g rubbermaid container in the ground. The heat axchnge would cool the water nicely and then all your tanks would be above the level of the sump so backflow would not be a huge issue.........

Crack out that jackhammer!!!!

Steve

 

[svb57]

Steve,

10" will obviously be tight and heat maybe an issue as it will accumulate under the 300 even with fans blowing. Most anemones are MH needing so in an enclosed space you might need an extra sized chiller.
Might have to re-think what will be in bottom tank. I have a (4) bulb VHO set-up that I will be using.


You could solve both the heat issues and the "sump being above the 125 issue" by breaking open a hole in the concrete floor say about 5' by 3' and sinking a 100g Rubbermaid container in the ground. The heat exchange would cool the water nicely and then all your tanks would be above the level of the sump so backflow would not be a huge issue.........
That might not be bad idea!!!!!! Will have to run that past wife. Don't want her throwing me in that hole.


Crack out that jackhammer!!!!
Or I wil buy beer and ask for help.


Keep the ideas flowing!!!!!

Jim Mc

 

[mimosa]

Steve,

I like the idea of drilling a 5'x3' hole in the basement floor. But why limit yourself with 5'x3' as you crack out the jackhammer. I always wondered about how cool it would be having an in-ground tank in the basement that you can snorkel in

Max

 

[svb57]

^^^^^^

 

[BenjieC]

How about creating an L shape out into the room? That sounds far easier and alot less expensive. Otherwise thats going to be ALOT of work. LOL.

 

[johj26]

wouldnt it be cheaper just to buy another house with a extra floor

 

[svb57]

That would be easier but I do not have the room to do this. So if I want the two tanks they have to be on same wall.


Jim Mc

 

[Whaledriver]

You dont have to be McGiver to make this work.

The thing to remember is that you dont have to have a huge flow through the sump. The water that goes to the sump only needs to supply your skimmer and filter system ( I would do a algea filter). You want to run closed loops or Tunze type pumps for flow in the tank. If you set thinks up this way you can have a sump that is much smaller and easier to deal with say 30 gallons of water. All this lets you stack the tanks without haveing a 2-3 foot tall sump.

With this setup I would have the bottom tank about 18 inches off the floor. Leave about 18-24 inches open and then stack the 300 above. That leaves the 300 at about eye level.

You might get creative with the bottom tanks lighting and have it move out of the way on a track like a garage door. I think VHO is the best option.

 

[Whaledriver]

Also remember you dont have to limit yourself to 4 bulbs of VHO. Ther is no problem with 6 bulbs fitting. With this many bulbs I think you anemone should do fine, you be surprised.

 

[svb57]

Whaledriver,

Thanks for the input......

I plan on using Tunze Streams and Wave Box for water flow/movement.

One of the limiting factors is the 7' 8" ceiling height in the basement.

If I take the following dimensions:
125g tank 22"
300g tank 31"
Distance between tanks 12"
________________________________
Total 65"

That leaves 27" to be used for the lights above the 300g tank and the distance under the 125g tank. Assuming you need 20" above the 300G (which might not be enough) I only have 7" that the 125g tank can be raised off the floor.

I do think youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re on to something when discussing the need for less (smaller) sump(s).

Thanks
Jim Mc

 

[Ride Red]

Can you have the 2 tanks situated 90 degrees to the wall? It should leave you 5' between the tanks to hang around in.

 

[goat585]

What's the dimensions of the 300 gallon? Is the 125 reef ready? Is the 125 drilled anywhere else?

Thanks

Tom

 

[svb57]

goat585,

What's the dimensions of the 300 gallon?
The 300g is 96 (long) x 24 (deep) x 31 (tall)
The 125g is 72 (long) x 18 (deep) x 22 (tall)


Is the 125 reef ready?
Yes both tanks are reef ready.

Is the 125 drilled anywhere else?
There are (2) drains and (2) returns for the overflows in the corners. There is (1) drain in the middle at the top for the closed loop and (2) returns for the closed loop at the top left and right of center and (2) through the bottom infront of the over flow boxes.

Thanks
Jim Mc

 

[svb57]

Ride Red,

That configruation was layed out but I am putting in a fish room behind the tank so wife won't let me take more. It was looked at though and thanks for the input!!

Jim Mc

 

[jgleach]

Jim,
It can be done...but it's going to be tight. I just measured the area above my 180 inwall and it's exactly 20" from top of the tank to the floor joists that are above it. I use luminarc reflectors that are mounted stationary right under the joists and I definitely have enough room to work in the tank....not enough room to fit my whole body up there to reach down 31", but enough to get my whole arm in there. As for the 125 gallon....you could always cap the "reef ready" holes in the bottom and set it nearly on the floor. Your closed loop holes would suffice for connection to your sump. I wouldn't go with a really small sump. It might be difficult to configure with both tanks draining to it if you lost power. You would need something relatively shallow though....I'd look into one of those black goldfish ponds that they sell at Home Depot or Menards. It'll take up quite a bit of your fish room, but it's that or custom built....

The heat from the lower lights has already been mentioned....you're probably going to want a pretty good sized chiller.

Jeff

 

[svb57]

Jeff,

You have given me an idea on the sump. If I use something like you mentioned and built a "floor" over it this mightg work!!!

Thanks
Jim Mc

 

[Whaledriver]

Think about how a Duroso overflow raises the water height in the overflow box. You will end up with that situation but without the Duroso. 29 inches of head pressure will be on your bottom tanks overflow if the sump is on the floor. For safty figure 18 inches of maximum pump off water height and you can plan the size of your sump.

I think the big issue for you is the way the lighting gets in your way. I would put alot of thought into a system to move it out of the way when you need access. Also consider putting the Mh lighting in the space between the joists.

If you make the lower light hood so that the air vents out on the ends an comes in from the middle all the heat goes to the side.