800 gallon tank
- Thread starter polywise
- Start date
polywise, check this out about using sunlight:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=728096
One day I may add an extension to our house on the south side for a large tank and try to use all the energy saving gigs I can learn
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=728096
One day I may add an extension to our house on the south side for a large tank and try to use all the energy saving gigs I can learn
jnarowe
New member
So I bought a similar tank and will share my experience. It is 8' x 5' x 35" and the panels are 3/4" which IMO is the absolute minimum. In the case of my tank, the euro-bracing is extremely heavy duty and 2" thick, so there is no bowing of the panels.
Mine too was set up as a shark tank and I knew when buying it I would have to modify it. I also paid about $2K and got a stand, pump, and 250 lbs. of rock...
There was a corner overflow that was totally inadequate for a reef tank and before I bought it I had a good vision of what I would do to rig it up. I tore out the overflow, sealed up all the holes except for four 1" for return lines. The tank had been plumbed with schedule 40 BHs though so I had to enlarge the holes to accept schedule 80 BHs. What a pain!
I then routed out a coast-to-coast over flow that consisted of 3 sections of 24" slot, and I built an external acrylic overflow with removable combs. My return flows through the four 1" lines and a gravity feed from the refugium.
You can see construction photos in my Pics Garage. You can also PM me with any questions! HTH!
Mine too was set up as a shark tank and I knew when buying it I would have to modify it. I also paid about $2K and got a stand, pump, and 250 lbs. of rock...
There was a corner overflow that was totally inadequate for a reef tank and before I bought it I had a good vision of what I would do to rig it up. I tore out the overflow, sealed up all the holes except for four 1" for return lines. The tank had been plumbed with schedule 40 BHs though so I had to enlarge the holes to accept schedule 80 BHs. What a pain!
I then routed out a coast-to-coast over flow that consisted of 3 sections of 24" slot, and I built an external acrylic overflow with removable combs. My return flows through the four 1" lines and a gravity feed from the refugium.
You can see construction photos in my Pics Garage. You can also PM me with any questions! HTH!
jnarowe
New member
Jim,
To answer your question first, yes, I had a lot of concerns, but was on some fairly stiff medication while recovering from a stroke, and figured, "What the hell!". If a tank that size is going to crack from routing it, better you find out before you fill it with water. 
It cut quite easily. My biggest problem was making a straight cut. I also learned something...as I was cutting the first slot, everything was going great. I had a nice even slot but when I stopped to rest and survey my work, I realized that the router had been expelling the acrylic chips back into the slot behind it, and that they were hot enough to melt together and close up the slot...in other words, I had no slot! :lol:
Anyway, it is doable with a regular router and some patience. The removable overflow combs are totally cool because I have such a large euro brace, I can't easily clean the wet side of the comb. These just pop out so I can take them to the sink and spray them down. I really recommend them!
To answer your question first, yes, I had a lot of concerns, but was on some fairly stiff medication while recovering from a stroke, and figured, "What the hell!".
If a tank that size is going to crack from routing it, better you find out before you fill it with water. It cut quite easily. My biggest problem was making a straight cut. I also learned something...as I was cutting the first slot, everything was going great. I had a nice even slot but when I stopped to rest and survey my work, I realized that the router had been expelling the acrylic chips back into the slot behind it, and that they were hot enough to melt together and close up the slot...in other words, I had no slot! :lol:
Anyway, it is doable with a regular router and some patience. The removable overflow combs are totally cool because I have such a large euro brace, I can't easily clean the wet side of the comb. These just pop out so I can take them to the sink and spray them down. I really recommend them!
onehundred20
In Memoriam
looks like it would be a great room divider
polywise
OLD SCHOOL-ish
so, I have been going round and round over the past few days with choices of how to present this tank in a set up. It looks as if I will do a inwall to bring the tank right to the edge of the dining room for viewing while gathering at the table. I measured the space a few times and I feel that the tank needs to be where it will be easily viewed and enjoyed v.s. putting the tank into it's own room that I would have to go into just to look at it.
Now that that decision has been made, I have the next question to think over... What space should I leave behind the tank for working space. The way it plan to set up the tank, (due to garage configuration, will have 3 feet spacing between tank and walls of on both short ends. I plan on being creative, using some of the space under the stand for sump, ca reactor, refigum, 2 quarantine systems - one for fish, one for coral and make up water tanks. The tank stand will be 42" high. I want to have a slop sink in the room, and that's about it. How much space do you think is needed behind the tank to the back wall of the room that I am planning to build any previous experiences of what works would be helpful. I was thinkin of 4' from the tank. I will be half way down the length of the garage stall - remaining space will be used for for my son's toys,and our bikes. what do you readers suggest ?
Now that that decision has been made, I have the next question to think over... What space should I leave behind the tank for working space. The way it plan to set up the tank, (due to garage configuration, will have 3 feet spacing between tank and walls of on both short ends. I plan on being creative, using some of the space under the stand for sump, ca reactor, refigum, 2 quarantine systems - one for fish, one for coral and make up water tanks. The tank stand will be 42" high. I want to have a slop sink in the room, and that's about it. How much space do you think is needed behind the tank to the back wall of the room that I am planning to build any previous experiences of what works would be helpful. I was thinkin of 4' from the tank. I will be half way down the length of the garage stall - remaining space will be used for for my son's toys,and our bikes. what do you readers suggest ?
onehundred20
In Memoriam
as much as you can
Mr.Furious
Premium Member
Yup as much as you can.... You think your just gonna have all of the stuff under the stand and only a sink but soon you end up needing space for a frag tank, other tanks to breed fish or try other projects, etc... This hobby is addictive which im sure you already know and even this "end all" huge tank will be small in 2-3 years and youll be looking to upgrade
blufyre3
New member
My room behind the tank is approx. 12 x 10 and full. My sump and pumps are under, skimmer and kalc reactor behind and reachable. Then my uv's are at one end with my ro/di unit. My slop sink and 60 gallon tank for mixing are on the back wall. I also have a 30 gal. on a stand next to my work table. I'll post pics if you would like to see it. Let me know.
jnarowe
New member
My tank room is 15' x 15' and there is no room for anything else. I would like to increase the size of my fuge and add a frag tank, but really don't have the space.
Here are pics:
Seemed large when I was building it!
And here it is now. I have room to walk around but that is about it:
Here are pics:
Seemed large when I was building it!
And here it is now. I have room to walk around but that is about it:
xtm
Active member
man that's a heck of a steal! I bought my used 75 for $200 and I thought that was a good deal since tall 75's usually sell for around ~400. $2K for an 800G is an absolute steal.
So If I was in your situation, here's what I'm gonna do: First I'll make sure my 1st and 2nd installments for property taxes have been paid... second, I will wait for the tax return. Once I have the money, I will purchase the tank. "Sorry honey, our anniversary cruise has been cancelled.. Oh and I also sold ou wedding rings on eBay.." LMAO. I personally wouldn't care if my wife loses her voice screaming Why You bought this tank blah blah blah.. I'm sure she will eventually calm down once she loses her voice.. lol
Also you sound like you have no financial concerns to worry about... so what'cha waiting for?? Remember.. you only get to live ONCE. I say enjoy all the good things in life while you still can.
have fun
So If I was in your situation, here's what I'm gonna do: First I'll make sure my 1st and 2nd installments for property taxes have been paid... second, I will wait for the tax return. Once I have the money, I will purchase the tank. "Sorry honey, our anniversary cruise has been cancelled.. Oh and I also sold ou wedding rings on eBay.." LMAO. I personally wouldn't care if my wife loses her voice screaming Why You bought this tank blah blah blah.. I'm sure she will eventually calm down once she loses her voice.. lol
Also you sound like you have no financial concerns to worry about... so what'cha waiting for??
Remember.. you only get to live ONCE. I say enjoy all the good things in life while you still can.have fun
