35 Hex tank possibilities?

[6Speed]

On the way back from the swap yesterday I made a pit stop and found a used 35 hex tank with stand. I almost didn't get it, b/c my apt is cramped as-is, and I need to save my money - but my g/f talked me into it.

So now I have this empty tank sitting in my room alongside my 10gal QT tank and my 12 gal nano.

I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with it. A couple of ideas crossed my mind:

1. FOLR tank with a couple of aggressive fish. I have no idea what fish would do well in this size tank.

2. Coral only tank.

3. Mixed reef tank with a few small fish.

4. Prop tank

4. Freshwater planted tank.

I'm trying to keep this as cheap as possible b/c I just graduated college, and don't have a lot of money to play with, but I also don't mind this being an ongoing project that takes a while to finish. It would give me something to work on in the afternoons after work.

 

[scapes]

i've got the same tank and I use it as a seahorse aquarium. i have 4 small erectus horses ($60/each), one large hitching post ($90), sand, two large pieces of kelp ($25/each), two filters ($150 total) so i've got currently about maybe $500-$600 in the aquarium (not including aquarium and stand).

don't know what your version of cheap is, but this is what I have. I used to have tons of corals in it, probably costs more w/ corals.

cheapest tank setup: just small fish IMO

or even cheaper: fresh water fish

 

[8BALL_99]

I've also got my 35 Hex setup as a seahorse tank. I put a 150watt MH on it though so it can have corals in it also.. Its just got a couple leathers and some zoos right now.. Not really a full blown reef. I drilled mine for an overlfow on the back also.

Be carefull if your Hex is on the factory stand.. They are made out of MDF and will fall about if you get it wet..

 

[Mariner]

Well, as others have said, I've often thought that size/shape tank makes a great sea horse tank. Another good option, IMO, would be a clown and anemone tank.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[6Speed]

Excellent ideas everyone. I had also considered the clown and anemone tank. I would really like to get a RBTA. I have what used to be a green LTA, but when it split it turned into a green BTA. I could move both of those to the hex along with the mated clowns. Could a rose bta live in a 35 hex with a green bta? The contrast of those colors would be excellent.

A while back I saw a reef tank that had a rbta that split a bunch of times and was all over the tank. It was VERY pretty with all the red and so much movement everywhere. I would kinda like something like that in this tank.

I noticed the MDF, and had considered building a new stand. I kinda like the idea of a minimalist stand that basically makes the tank look like one tall hexagon or column. I don't want any fancy trim or protruding pieces of wood - rather, something that looks very modern. My 75 stand already has all the ornate stuff.

My pacific blue tang has just started nipping at my clowns, so this may be an excellent opp. to move them out. However, with low funds, and a somewhat large project (for me living in an apt with no real place to work/cut wood), it could take a while. I may end up selling or giving away the tang. Anybody interested?

 

[timrandlerv10]

you should keep the tang!!!

in order to help out, i'll take the clowns...cause that's the type of team player i am



how do you plan on putting in rock in the hex? i have the 44, and the weird shape makes it difficult for me (but i'm a newb, so...).

what will you do?

 

[6Speed]

I can't get rid of the clowns. They are my firstborn. Ok, so not really, but they were the 2nd SW fish purchase I ever made, and I've had them for almost 2 years now.

For aquascaping I considered doing a column of rock in the center/slightly set back, starting out with a large piece at the bottom and then working up to smaller pieces towards the top. I would probably drill holes in the rocks and insert some pvc or some type of acrylic rod to hold it in place.


I am still not set on doing an overflow and sump setup. 8Ball, didn't you build an acrylic sump for yours?

 

[8BALL_99]

Yeah 6speed I built 3 Acrylic Hex sumps and two Stands. 2 Sumps that fit my stand and one that fits the factory stand. Thats one huge problems with Hex tanks.. You dont have much room under them for a sump. If I remeber right I think a 10gallon didn't even fit. You can look in my Gallery for pictures of mine. I only have pictures of the first one I did. But the others are pretty much the same. Might give you some idea's with your tank.

 

[timrandlerv10]

turns out, with a heat gun, a sunny room, and a little muscle, you can jam a rubbermaid into just about any cabinet there is!

 

[6Speed]

Thanks 8, I was looking for those pics and could not find them. How much did you spend on acrylic?

Tim, that is a good idea for using a rubbermaid. I have seen it done, but for some reason I did not consider that option. I already have a overflow laying around, so all I need is the rubbermaid and some pvc.

 

[8BALL_99]

Not sure how much the Acrylic costs for one sump.. I buy it by the sheets. 4x8 Sheet of 1/4 cast goes for around 130.00. If I remember right the sump was made from a peice 16"wide by 40" something long. So about one third of a sheet I guess for a complete sump. Comes out to around 45 bucks for the Acrylic give or take like I said I dont remember the exact measurements. Its been about a year since I built one.

 

[edwar050]

How hard was the hex tank to drill? I figure it would be tempered glass. IMAO a center overflow would be amazing if you could figure it out and make it very small. Another easy option would be running a strong powerhead or type of mag pump from your hex tank to your main display and then feeding it back. I personally think a hex tank with RBTA the two clowns w/ a pistol shrimp and goby would look awsome. Would would be even sweeter would be that tank coupled with sps like monti cap. The only real concern I would have with a hex tank is adequate filtration, where to place the pumps, and overflow with return. Aquascaping would be an extremely fun challenge as well.

 

[Tunguska]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9047037#post9047037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 6Speed
However, with low funds, and a somewhat large project (for me living in an apt with no real place to work/cut wood), it could take a while. I may end up selling or giving away the tang. Anybody interested?

Well, the wonderful thing about wood-working projects is 2x4's cost so little... Besides, HD will cut the wood to size for you for free when you buy it (at least the one on 15th St. will -- straight cuts only, I think). If you want to have more inside room in the stand, I'm sure you could design something sturdy enough out of 1x's as long as you have the top and bottom braced well.

As for the tang, I will take it if someone will trade me a 75 or 90 for 2 55's!