RIGUY314
Member
I take of couple of those guards for MP40's since you won't be needing them any more! :bounce3:
nice build! can't wait to see the end result. following for sure.
CT 400 Build
- Thread starter ca1ore
- Start date
I take of couple of those guards for MP40's since you won't be needing them any more! :bounce3:
nice build! can't wait to see the end result. following for sure.
scott11106
New member
seems like most of the people i have talked recommended glass tanks, what was the reason for going acrylic? would love to hear everyones opinion and why as i am in the hunt for a 300-400 tank
chuckbuc
New member
I just ordered a 396 gallon acrylic ,for me I had my 300 glass leak at the silicone seam,I figured I would much rather have a scratch that I can possibly get out ether than a leak again ,the other was I looked at want aquariums, hotels,restaurants use, figure an acrylic will outlive a glass ....
sfsuphysics
Active member
I think the reason why public places do acrylic is because it is something that is fixable if you get some "vandal", where as glass not so much. I know one of the local aquariums it isn't a matter of an acrylic box welded at the seams, it's a fiberglass (or concrete) aquarium with an acrylic viewing pane held against a silicone gasket. So it's not about the leak prevention of welding vs. silicone adhesion to glass.
I have gone back and forth between acrylic and glass myself, and the scratches are something I can deal with, however what I can't deal with is all the extra elbow grease required to keep acrylic looking good. Now you can either be very vigilant with your daily cleaning so that it never becomes a problem (small amount of effort, lots of time) or you could attack it when you get the chance which if it's something like coraline algae or that harder brown algae then you have to put a tremendous amount of effort into it. My experience with glass, you take a razor blade, and within 10-15 minutes (obviously depends upon the tank size) the pane looks brand new and crystal clear (yup even on non-starphire!). And ultimately the clarity is going to depend upon how clean you keep it, not what the material is made out of.
that said I've seen beautiful acrylic tanks as I have seen glass tanks.
I have gone back and forth between acrylic and glass myself, and the scratches are something I can deal with, however what I can't deal with is all the extra elbow grease required to keep acrylic looking good. Now you can either be very vigilant with your daily cleaning so that it never becomes a problem (small amount of effort, lots of time) or you could attack it when you get the chance which if it's something like coraline algae or that harder brown algae then you have to put a tremendous amount of effort into it. My experience with glass, you take a razor blade, and within 10-15 minutes (obviously depends upon the tank size) the pane looks brand new and crystal clear (yup even on non-starphire!). And ultimately the clarity is going to depend upon how clean you keep it, not what the material is made out of.
that said I've seen beautiful acrylic tanks as I have seen glass tanks.
Some thoughts on equipment:
1. It's quite likely that my two MP40 pumps aren't going to work with 1" thick walls, so I have acquired a second MP60. I will certainly attempt to get the 40s to work but if they don't, dual 60s should suffice.
2. I'm still going to use the closed loop, though with larger piping so I can get more flow out of my Vectra pump.
3. I use a few of those Aquamag magnetic rock shelves, and they're problematic with 1" walls. Have some much more powerful external magnets so will try those.
4. I run a panworld 200 to feed both the 265 and my 120 refugium. I'm going to feed the refugium from the overflow drain, so the entire flow from the 200 should be enough for the new tank.
5. Not planning any new lights for now considering I will be putting all corals in the rear 24".
1. It's quite likely that my two MP40 pumps aren't going to work with 1" thick walls, so I have acquired a second MP60. I will certainly attempt to get the 40s to work but if they don't, dual 60s should suffice.
2. I'm still going to use the closed loop, though with larger piping so I can get more flow out of my Vectra pump.
3. I use a few of those Aquamag magnetic rock shelves, and they're problematic with 1" walls. Have some much more powerful external magnets so will try those.
4. I run a panworld 200 to feed both the 265 and my 120 refugium. I'm going to feed the refugium from the overflow drain, so the entire flow from the 200 should be enough for the new tank.
5. Not planning any new lights for now considering I will be putting all corals in the rear 24".
Desert Sea
Member
Can't wait to see what you put together. Will be following along.
Let me know if you need a hand.
Let me know if you need a hand.
sfsuphysics
Active member
Yeah, I can almost guarantee the MP40 pumps will not work. I had 3/4" on an 8' long tank and if you looked at them funny they'd fall off, and this is with no spacer. Granted these were older MP40 pumps (like the ones that came right after they upgraded from the metallic magnets) but I don't think they could have changed the magnet strength that much.
lionfish300
New member
Count me in for beers, pizza an free frags. Joke aside I bought a lift cart and it help a lot during my transfer from 180 to 375 ( 8' x 3' x 24") between myself and one friendI plan to offer copious amounts of beer and pizza, and free frags, to anyone willing to lend a hand when the time comes. Also going to build a cart so that lifting is minimized in favor of pushing
lionfish300
New member
Something like this but my can lift over 1000lbs. http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-61405.html
BigBlueTang
Active member
Awesome! I followed your last build and I'm excited to follow this one.. If only I was local I'd be there! Although I am down for frags if you've got extras :lmao:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hopefully this one will go as well as the other one did. I've already upsized my ATO reservoir and CaRx in anticipation. Sump's an old Oceanic 150, so more than enough for a 400 display. 400 will be my max. I always chuckle when I see those huge tanks with the owner in a SCUBA mask placing corals. Must mess with the ATO big time. Going to finally do the overflow right - ordered a 36" modular marine with the updated removable weir. Debating on whether to re-use the closed loop or not. Probably will since I have it.
iced98lx
New member
did you go with the 30x30 or 36x24?
Neither, actually 96x36x30. External dimensions say 450 gallons, but subtracting the 1" walls yields nominally 400 gallons of water (which is the fairer way to represent size IMO).
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