360g (72x42x27) - Austin TX (SPS dominated)

[Chrisrush]

Hi everyone,
This will be my first big tank build. I have had tanks ranging from 10g to my current 150g tank. I have always wanted a large deep (width) tank and now that my 150g tank is starting to fill up, I figured what better time than now. I travel some for work but have started to cut back on travel so a big tank can be maintained.

My current tank is rimless but on a short stand, so you have to bend down to see the fish/corals. While I like the rimless look, I don't like to bend down to see the tank. Another requirement will be a canopy. The tank is in my office (400sq ft) and having an open top and open sump/frag tank has caused some humidity issues. I have a good handle on it right now, but if I add another 200g to the system, I'm worried that I won't be able to control it.

I have a few upfront questions and will get to them in a minute.

And now, for a little bit about the tank.

I bought a used 360g tank (72" x 42" x 30") including sump, stand, canopy and all the equipment.

The tank was DIY with 1" PVC bottom and ¾" starfire glass on the three visible sides. The tank is currently rimless (but not sure if I will eurobrace or not). Two large external overflow boxes are currently removed as the back glass has developed a crack and was repaired. I will be adding 2 overflow (internal) boxes to the tank (and perhaps a tunze box).

The tank currently has 2 - 1" holes in the bottom along with a 2" hole in the center (used as a drain).

Lighting currently consists of 3x400w MH with 940w of T12 and 90w of LEDs on the large tank.

Equipment considered:

Deltec Calcium Reactor with Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser and pH meter
ATi Powercone 250is skimmer
Cadlights Biopellet Reactor (BR-2)

Bare bottom with 100g remote DSB

ATi Powermodule Hybrid with 8x54w T5s and 3x75w LED clusters.

2 - Tunze 6205s
2 - Jaebo WP40s
2 - Jaebo WP25s

3 mOcean rotating devices

Profilux with all the goodies

Remote sump / frag tank / water change station

Fish: (currently have)
3 yellow tangs
3 PJ cardinals
2 clowns
Melanarus Wrasse
Regal Angel
Blue Chromis

Questions:

1. What light do I use? I can gut the canopy and install my ATi PM in it (leaning towards this) and add supplemental light.

2. How to handle flow with the 42" depth. I would like to avoid putting any powerheads on the front glass (as I have now). I'm not opposed drilling the PVC bottom to put a CL in but I need to determine where to drill, etc.

 

[Chrisrush]

My current tank.

 

[Chrisrush]

So, how do two guys move a 1000 lb tank down a steep driveway, drive it 30 miles and then into my garage?

Straps, come-alongs and stupidity.

Here is the tank coming out of the garage. It is on wheels and secured to the stand, so it makes it much easier to navigate.



And down this hill and onto a trailer.



SUCCESS!!!

 

[Chrisrush]

After we loaded it up, we loaded up the canopy, and started bolting down the stand to the trailer, straping a piece of plwood to the tank and wrapping it in blankets, etc.

Loaded up the canopy (not an easy task either), hooked up my truck and off we went.

Ride went very smoothly, considering I could have been crushed if that tank broke loose.

Dale (former owner) helped me unload it at the house, which was almost as difficult as loading it. Got it back on the wheels and into the garage where it currently sits.



I will need to finish off the stand and stain the canopy etc. I'll need to build a lift if I want to use the canopy

 

[Chrisrush]

Here are the current holes in the bottom. I'm going to build a pair of overflow around the two holes in the back (and probably drill out for 4 additional holes) and perhaps 2-4 in front of the 2" in the center.

My thoughts on the overflow boxes are to hold 3 drains and 2 returns. 2 of the drains will go to the sump, and 1 will go to the DSB below the tank. 1 of the returns will come from the sump and 1 from the DSB.



Plan is to mount 2 Tunze 6205s to 2 mOcean 3500s on the back center and then 2 - WP40s or WP60s on the overflow boxes (if they will support them).

 

[premilove]

Those are some sweet dimensions

 

[Osama]

looking good

looking good

Am using 4 MP60 in a 500g 30 inch deep. They are too powerful IMO so I have them runninat 1/3 capacity

 

[Chrisrush]

Those are some sweet dimensions

Thanks. My ideal dimensions (unless you talk about 10x6x3)

 

[Chrisrush]

Am using 4 MP60 in a 500g 30 inch deep. They are too powerful IMO so I have them runninat 1/3 capacity

Yeah, I think you are probably right. I'm sure I could get plenty of flow with 2-6205s, 2-WP40s and a CL

 

[Chrisrush]

Couple of perspective pictures

And look what else showed up

 

[Chrisrush]

Ordered and received my CL pump.

The transformer is huge with this pump. I had no idea it came with a separate transformer.

Got the live rock curing in a tank outside and have been collecting SPS for the transfer.

Going to try and get the overflows and CL pumping finished before I move the tank into the office.

 

[jmsilhy]

Cool, tagging on for this build!

 

[Chrisrush]

Thanks. Still not sure about the closed loop. I have the pump, bulkheads, etc., but not sure where to put the holes, etc.

 

[gveng]

Thanks. Still not sure about the closed loop. I have the pump, bulkheads, etc., but not sure where to put the holes, etc.

If your not sure about the closed loop then don't run one. Plug the middle hole with a bulkhead and build the overflows. Run 2-3 seaswirls on the back of the tank for returns. Done!

 

[Notquiterite]

Looks like a good build, tagging along

 

[Chrisrush]

If your not sure about the closed loop then don't run one. Plug the middle hole with a bulkhead and build the overflows. Run 2-3 seaswirls on the back of the tank for returns. Done!

Yup, that is my other thought.

Problem is how to move the water from the front of the tank to the overflow as it is 42" away. My current tank is a peninsula and getting water from one end to the other is a challenge.

I have pair of MOcean (updated sea-swirl devices) that I'll definitely use but not on the return, only for my powerheads. I don't run too much flow through the sump.

 

[jmsilhy]

Yup, that is my other thought.

Problem is how to move the water from the front of the tank to the overflow as it is 42" away. My current tank is a peninsula and getting water from one end to the other is a challenge.

I have pair of MOcean (updated sea-swirl devices) that I'll definitely use but not on the return, only for my powerheads. I don't run too much flow through the sump.

You mean current-wise?

 

[Henry760]

Can't wait to see that bad boy running! Awesome
dimensions

 

[Chrisrush]

You mean current-wise?

Yup, current-wise. Not sure how to move the water from the front of the tank to the back with the overflows at 42" of space. I need to get some water into the tank and start testing.

 

[Chrisrush]

Can't wait to see that bad boy running! Awesome
dimensions

Thanks. Looking forward to getting it setup.