Atomic081
New member
Hello Everyone!
Im starting this thread to help get my creative juices flowing during my planning stages of my tank. I feel like I need some people to brainstorm with me to get the most out of my time when the build starts. I will create a new build thread once I start actually building the tanks.
A quick overview of my Reefing History:
I have been into reefkeeping since October of 2007. I started with a Biocube, Then a 90g, then Back to a biocube, next was a 57g and then my current setup is a 220g. My current system is around 500 total gallons including the fish room. Pictures of my current setup:
We are to break ground on our new house this august. In the basement I will have a Fish Tank system that is roughly 1200 to 1500 gallons. Below is a few pictures of the current basement floorplan.
Fish Room only:
Basement Plan:
I have quite a few thoughts on the new system. Usually I am on somewhat of a limited budget. I dont like spending money on something that I wont get maximum value out of. So high end equipment is usually out for me . I usually go for value equipment unless its a major difference.
I also dont love the fact that im putting the tank in the basement. I would have loved to have the tank in our living room upstairs. Unfortunately my wife doesn't want to deal with the space if we get rid of the tank someday. Because of this ive made sure the kids bedrooms are in the basement. I want to force myself to be around the tank. I believe its very important to place the tank were you see it daily. The out of sight, out of mind tank will be the demise of a tank.
1. Plywood Tank:
I own a company that builds custom homes. Give me a Tree and i can build anything out of it. because of this I really feel comfortable building a plywood tank.
2. Inwall tank:
This is a suggestion from my wife. She likes the look of the inwall tanks. So while she isnt the biggest fan of the hobby, if she suggests something I take note!
3. One 750gallon (120"x48"x30") tank or two 400gallon (72"x42"x30") tanks:
Im leaning toward the two 400 gallon tanks. I really love Angelfish and some aggressive bigger fish. So I might do one tank with Angels and SPS. Then another tank with LPS and Tangs/smaller fish.
4. Foam Rock wall:
I really like the look and the ability to mount corals on the sidewalls. Being its a inwall tank, the 3 sides could all be a rock wall. Im very concerned though about the longevity of a rock wall though. I dont wana be rebuilding in 10 years. Im very one the fence with this!! opinions?
5. 150g rubbermaid sump with a 50g rubbermaid for skimmer sump
6. Bubble magus B12 skimmer
7. Eight Mars Aqua 30" Leds
8. Geo Calcium reactor
9. (2)Maxspect Gyro Xf 280. One in each tank.
10. Reeflo Hammerhead return pump.
Ill have plenty of waterflow using the return pump to help supplement the 2 Gyros.
11. Apex Neptune Controller.
Im very on the fence with the controller. They are very nice but I tend to think I can spend my money better elsewhere. Because I tend to use value type equipment, they usually dont pair up with the apex very well without alot more money. For now im going to plan on one, but it could be gone by the time i start the build.
12. I have come apon 6 commercial stack-able Vertical 75g tanks like in a fish store. I plan on setting up 3 or 4 of them. They are separated in 1/3s. I plan on using one for a refugium, one for a Anemone grow out system, one for a quarantine tank. I could use the 4th for another grow out system.
13. Im taking my 60g Frag tank from my current setup. its a 48"x24"x12" shallow tank.
Im open for any suggestions, that anyone has. Im still very much in the planning stages but feel like i have a good idea of where i wanna go.
Ross
Im starting this thread to help get my creative juices flowing during my planning stages of my tank. I feel like I need some people to brainstorm with me to get the most out of my time when the build starts. I will create a new build thread once I start actually building the tanks.
A quick overview of my Reefing History:
I have been into reefkeeping since October of 2007. I started with a Biocube, Then a 90g, then Back to a biocube, next was a 57g and then my current setup is a 220g. My current system is around 500 total gallons including the fish room. Pictures of my current setup:
We are to break ground on our new house this august. In the basement I will have a Fish Tank system that is roughly 1200 to 1500 gallons. Below is a few pictures of the current basement floorplan.
Fish Room only:
Basement Plan:
I have quite a few thoughts on the new system. Usually I am on somewhat of a limited budget. I dont like spending money on something that I wont get maximum value out of. So high end equipment is usually out for me . I usually go for value equipment unless its a major difference.
I also dont love the fact that im putting the tank in the basement. I would have loved to have the tank in our living room upstairs. Unfortunately my wife doesn't want to deal with the space if we get rid of the tank someday. Because of this ive made sure the kids bedrooms are in the basement. I want to force myself to be around the tank. I believe its very important to place the tank were you see it daily. The out of sight, out of mind tank will be the demise of a tank.
1. Plywood Tank:
I own a company that builds custom homes. Give me a Tree and i can build anything out of it. because of this I really feel comfortable building a plywood tank.
2. Inwall tank:
This is a suggestion from my wife. She likes the look of the inwall tanks. So while she isnt the biggest fan of the hobby, if she suggests something I take note!
3. One 750gallon (120"x48"x30") tank or two 400gallon (72"x42"x30") tanks:
Im leaning toward the two 400 gallon tanks. I really love Angelfish and some aggressive bigger fish. So I might do one tank with Angels and SPS. Then another tank with LPS and Tangs/smaller fish.
4. Foam Rock wall:
I really like the look and the ability to mount corals on the sidewalls. Being its a inwall tank, the 3 sides could all be a rock wall. Im very concerned though about the longevity of a rock wall though. I dont wana be rebuilding in 10 years. Im very one the fence with this!! opinions?
5. 150g rubbermaid sump with a 50g rubbermaid for skimmer sump
6. Bubble magus B12 skimmer
7. Eight Mars Aqua 30" Leds
8. Geo Calcium reactor
9. (2)Maxspect Gyro Xf 280. One in each tank.
10. Reeflo Hammerhead return pump.
Ill have plenty of waterflow using the return pump to help supplement the 2 Gyros.
11. Apex Neptune Controller.
Im very on the fence with the controller. They are very nice but I tend to think I can spend my money better elsewhere. Because I tend to use value type equipment, they usually dont pair up with the apex very well without alot more money. For now im going to plan on one, but it could be gone by the time i start the build.
12. I have come apon 6 commercial stack-able Vertical 75g tanks like in a fish store. I plan on setting up 3 or 4 of them. They are separated in 1/3s. I plan on using one for a refugium, one for a Anemone grow out system, one for a quarantine tank. I could use the 4th for another grow out system.
13. Im taking my 60g Frag tank from my current setup. its a 48"x24"x12" shallow tank.
Im open for any suggestions, that anyone has. Im still very much in the planning stages but feel like i have a good idea of where i wanna go.
Ross
