Coming out of retirement...my new tank

[jeemann99]

It's been just about 2 years since I had a tank up and decided to start the hobby back up. Here is a pic of my new aquarium 36x36x30 cube Acrylic. I plan on starting this weekend. I will have sump underneath with a external pump 1740GPH. I will also be using a MP40 for wave action. I plan on surrounding the center return with liverock and putting live coral SPS and LPS attached and some on the bed of tank.

My questions are
- will my 250 HQI Pendant be enough to penetrate to the bottom of tank?
- will I have enough flow with the current pumps I plan on using?
- and any ideas on how to build rock pillar up center overflow?

thanks in advance and wish me luck

 

[vlangel]

Wow, that center overflow is so cool. Will your power come from underneath the floor?
Some folks drill their LR and hold the pieces together with acrylic dowel rods or I've heard of zip tying LR. Whatever you do, you want to be confident its stable and no chance of toppling. Maybe you could drill the LR and connect the pieces by running hefty fishing line through the holes horizonly around the overflow? I'm only brainstorming, I've never done anything like you are doing. Good luck and will be anxious to see the progress.

 

[vlangel]

Wow, that center overflow is so cool. Will your power come from underneath the floor?
Some folks drill their LR and hold the pieces together with acrylic dowel rods or I've heard of zip tying LR. Whatever you do, you want to be confident its stable and no chance of toppling. Maybe you could drill the LR and connect the pieces by running hefty fishing line through the holes horizonly around the overflow? I'm only brainstorming, I've never done anything like you are doing. Good luck and will be anxious to see the progress.

 

[JakeAnderson]

Dude that is my dream tank right there but my would be 48x48x24

 

[kocho09]

+1 on the 48x48x24

 

[jrpark22000]

My questions are
- will my 250 HQI Pendant be enough to penetrate to the bottom of tank?
- will I have enough flow with the current pumps I plan on using?
- and any ideas on how to build rock pillar up center overflow?

-A 250 will reach the bottom but would have some low PAR readings. Enough PAR for softies or low light LPS. A single 250 wouldn't give very good coverage of such a large tank. You may want a second or third depending on your choice of coral.
-1750gph is more than enough turn over but depending on your pump, head pressure will drop that number. With the supplemental mp40 you should have enough flow for most SPS and LPS if placed properly.
-Quite a few people say they have had success with foam rock walls. It might work for your overflow. Otherwise you could look into using mortar and dry LR to build a round rock tower.

 

[goat585]

I run a single 400 watt halide in a lumenmax reflector on my 48"x48x24 tank. I have to run the light about 18" of the surface of the water in order to get enough light spread. I do supplement the outside edges with individual T5 bulbs. I do not think your DE pendant will give you enough light spread. They typically do not as good of a job as a lumenmax or other similar type SE reflector. I would go with a 400 watt especially on your tank. 30" is a long way to penetrate especially when you will need to hang the light higher to get the spread you will need.

 

[BigKev23]

Awesome tank... can't wait to see it full

 

[Tank2379]

Thats wild... Love that Tank

 

[BigBarnacles]

Cool looking set up. Following the build.

 

[lexiz1]

G-

I think I have a lumenarc and a lumen bright reflector if you want it. Use it with a 400W ballast.