sandalscout
New member
Okay, so, my 90 is up and running, and I think I've just about decided on all of it's livestock, the last few things I need for it, etc. It's mostly going to be a few larger (compared to my 55) fish, softies and some LPS, and some bigger "display" colonies of corals.
I've decided recently that on top of really not being happy with the way my 55 is currently (I hate the stand, and that I can't get a sump UNDER it), I really should setup a QT tank. The 55 would be good for that, and I can move it to my wet room to hide it. So, I would really like to build a pair of matching cube tanks that are on custom stands that are taller than commercial stands. I'm a taller guy (I mean, not real tall) and the extra height would be nice for viewing, as well as room under the stand. So I've been thinking about what I want for an SPS dominated cube, and an LPS dominated cube, and the setup would be pretty similar for both. Equipment would be nearly the same on both, and I will be dosing 2 part on both of them (and I don't think I'll use calcium reactors, etc), and maybe eventually vodka on the SPS setup.
Wow, this is going to be a long post!
Anyway, I'm not dead set on a perfect cube, but something cubelike. I think that 16-18" in height would be nice. I think that I'd like it to be at least 30" wide and 18" deep. Those minimum dimensions are around 30 gallons, if I'm not mistaken. I would LOVE to find someone who made commercial tanks in these dimensions, or at least someone who could custom make them again in the future in the event that I wanted more than 2 (I can see it already, a coldwater reef, seahorse tank, seagrass/macro tank, octo tank, etc!). I think I want starfire on the 3 sides, and an external overflow, as well as closed loop potential would be a GREAT feature.
The stand will be custom built, and to allow for some more room, I will probably go 4" wider all around (especially if it's a true cube), allowing me to have a spot behind the tank to hide plumbing. I think that for a 16" tank I would actually make the stand at least 40" tall, maybe more. I plan on making it a skinned stand with the front and one side (or both) removable to get to everything.
I am planning on getting a Reef Keeper Elite. I will use this to control everything, including the ATO and plan to mount the display on the side (or maybe front) of the stand. I will likely be dosing 2 part with something like drew's doser from BRS. with the extra height in the stand, I think I'll have an enclosed box for all the electronics all the way at the top, and then a partial shelf below that to hold the ATO container and 2 part container, pumps for 2 part and CL, etc. Then on the bottom will be the sump with refugium and the skimmer. I am planning on running a skimmer such as the Octo DNW 110. This footprint (6x11) in conjunction with shelf above it not being complete should allow me to run a sump that is at least 30"x20". If I go with a 16-18" sump, the ATO container shelf should be about (if I go with a 34"x34" stand and a 30"x30" tank) 6" tall which I think I can find a 5 gallon container to fit that area fine. This will also give me about 6-8" inches of free space above the sump to access it.
I know that some of this is high end stuff, and I'm planning a lot, but I really think I'll do the tanks and stands at the same time, and then the "off the shelf parts" one at a time starting with the SPS tank first, except potentially the lights to ensure that they are a match. I've sort of just thrown my other tanks together, and I would love to build a pair of matching, cherry stands and put some gorgeous tanks on top of them. I've also really decided I would like to focus on making some "theme" tanks that will allow me to focus on the chemistry needed for the individual tanks. Keeping these all in one will keep my fishroom clean, tidy, and most importantly will allow me to move them separately when the time comes.
PLEASE throw out any suggestions that you might have. Lighting/heating and water flow are not so important right now, it's more about the tanks and the stands, and I would LOVE to hear any ideas. I am continuing to look at tanks builders, but it anyone knows of a 30x30x16 cube with external overflow on the back, starfire, and room on the back to put in bulkheads for a closed loop around the overflow, I'd love to see it.
Sorry for the length of this post, but hopefully someone will like helping me dream up some awesome tank plans. I have been playing around with Google Sketch, so I will be back with drawings soon.
Thanks!
Matthew
I've decided recently that on top of really not being happy with the way my 55 is currently (I hate the stand, and that I can't get a sump UNDER it), I really should setup a QT tank. The 55 would be good for that, and I can move it to my wet room to hide it. So, I would really like to build a pair of matching cube tanks that are on custom stands that are taller than commercial stands. I'm a taller guy (I mean, not real tall) and the extra height would be nice for viewing, as well as room under the stand. So I've been thinking about what I want for an SPS dominated cube, and an LPS dominated cube, and the setup would be pretty similar for both. Equipment would be nearly the same on both, and I will be dosing 2 part on both of them (and I don't think I'll use calcium reactors, etc), and maybe eventually vodka on the SPS setup.
Wow, this is going to be a long post!
Anyway, I'm not dead set on a perfect cube, but something cubelike. I think that 16-18" in height would be nice. I think that I'd like it to be at least 30" wide and 18" deep. Those minimum dimensions are around 30 gallons, if I'm not mistaken. I would LOVE to find someone who made commercial tanks in these dimensions, or at least someone who could custom make them again in the future in the event that I wanted more than 2 (I can see it already, a coldwater reef, seahorse tank, seagrass/macro tank, octo tank, etc!). I think I want starfire on the 3 sides, and an external overflow, as well as closed loop potential would be a GREAT feature.
The stand will be custom built, and to allow for some more room, I will probably go 4" wider all around (especially if it's a true cube), allowing me to have a spot behind the tank to hide plumbing. I think that for a 16" tank I would actually make the stand at least 40" tall, maybe more. I plan on making it a skinned stand with the front and one side (or both) removable to get to everything.
I am planning on getting a Reef Keeper Elite. I will use this to control everything, including the ATO and plan to mount the display on the side (or maybe front) of the stand. I will likely be dosing 2 part with something like drew's doser from BRS. with the extra height in the stand, I think I'll have an enclosed box for all the electronics all the way at the top, and then a partial shelf below that to hold the ATO container and 2 part container, pumps for 2 part and CL, etc. Then on the bottom will be the sump with refugium and the skimmer. I am planning on running a skimmer such as the Octo DNW 110. This footprint (6x11) in conjunction with shelf above it not being complete should allow me to run a sump that is at least 30"x20". If I go with a 16-18" sump, the ATO container shelf should be about (if I go with a 34"x34" stand and a 30"x30" tank) 6" tall which I think I can find a 5 gallon container to fit that area fine. This will also give me about 6-8" inches of free space above the sump to access it.
I know that some of this is high end stuff, and I'm planning a lot, but I really think I'll do the tanks and stands at the same time, and then the "off the shelf parts" one at a time starting with the SPS tank first, except potentially the lights to ensure that they are a match. I've sort of just thrown my other tanks together, and I would love to build a pair of matching, cherry stands and put some gorgeous tanks on top of them. I've also really decided I would like to focus on making some "theme" tanks that will allow me to focus on the chemistry needed for the individual tanks. Keeping these all in one will keep my fishroom clean, tidy, and most importantly will allow me to move them separately when the time comes.
PLEASE throw out any suggestions that you might have. Lighting/heating and water flow are not so important right now, it's more about the tanks and the stands, and I would LOVE to hear any ideas. I am continuing to look at tanks builders, but it anyone knows of a 30x30x16 cube with external overflow on the back, starfire, and room on the back to put in bulkheads for a closed loop around the overflow, I'd love to see it.
Sorry for the length of this post, but hopefully someone will like helping me dream up some awesome tank plans. I have been playing around with Google Sketch, so I will be back with drawings soon.
Thanks!
Matthew
