Custom Tank Design help

Reefer_Addickt

Reefer_Addickt

Premium Member
I'm in the process of trying to design a custom tank for my next upgrade. I want to do a coast to coast overflow with bean. The door into the room is 34", which is my only size constraint. I'd originally planned for an internal overflow with tank dimensions 72x33x25.

Can anyone suggest dimensions so I can maximize volume with the space I have. Should I go taller? What size overflow holes should I have drilled? Is 5" needed for the rear box?

I have decided on Eurobracing and 3/4 inch glass. I've never had a eurobraced tank, is a 2" rim around the top sufficient?

Pics for idea of what I'm thinking.

7UyHrNz.png

zlgOP5w.png

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Last edited:
Are you building the tank yourself or ordering it through a builder? If ordering, I would think the builder will ultimately tell you what the safe dimensions are such as width of euro bracing. Overall tank dimensions are a very personal decision and my preference might not be the same as yours. Personally I like sps tanks and the shallower and deeper the better for light penetration and aquascaping.
 
Thanks. I guess the builder I'm talking to is on a lower level, so is the cost by far. 72x33x25, 3/4, low iron ultra clear, eurobraced for 750.
 
Wow, really cheap! Exercise caution and see if you can get some references from others who have had their tanks built by the same builder. Cheaper is not usually better in aquariums. Not trying to discourage, just do your homework.
 
That is REALLY cheap! Agreed on looking for references.

Lots of horror stories of people getting crappy tanks.


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Yeah sticking arms in is a Peta. Wish I gone 30" deep instead of 30" tall


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Have you considered using a ghost overflow instead of a coast-to-coast? In terms of cost for my custom tank, going the ghost overflow route instead of an external overflow saved me quite a bit of money. However, your quote price seems low so it doesn't sound like the cost of the overflow will impact the overall price very much.

I agree that the price seems very low (almost too low for a tank that size). I would check other work done by the manufacturer to see if it meets your quality expectations -- look for clean seams (with no bubbles) and beveled or polished edges.
 
The dimensions I listed earlier are LxWXH, so 33" wide, 25" tall

I have considered going with 2 x 20" phantom, but that's $500 just for the overflows. I may still do it. As it will give me a wider tank, since I could install the overflows once the tank is in the room. Widest with the external c2c is 28", without it I can get the 33" wide.

The price also didn't include shipping. The middle picture up top is a tank they made. I'll ask for more references. I had planned to guinea pig it, then report back.

I could possibly do it internally/smaller external box, but didn't want to lose any space:

DdAKABz.jpg
 
I had a custom 36" overflow made at exoticmarine. I like the slot opening vs the traditional weirs. The slot opening gives much more surface skimming.

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I like your overflow Scuzy, I can't quiet see in your diagram how wide&long it is. I think I'll copy yours, if you don't mind. What's the gph on 1 3/4 holes?
 
I love my 60x24x24 CD tank with synergy overflow.

Think of it this way, if your synergy/ghost overflow starts to leak or something, get another one, drain your tank just below the holes, replace overflow.
If something happens to your built in coast to coast... not so easy...

as for dimensions i personally wouldnt go more than 24" top to bottom. if its going to be a peninsula maybe you could go a little deeper (since you wouldnt have to reach across to the back of the tank) on my 24x24 its pretty hard to reach the back corner.

Also, i wouldn't recommend being a Guinea pig with 250 gallons of water + livestock... but thats just me.

The way i looked at it when i got mine, the tank is the thing that holds EVERYTHING else youre going to put in it, and it should last for the long haul. its worth spending a little extra up front to get it made correctly and nicely.
 
Meshmez said:
I love my 60x24x24 CD tank with synergy overflow.

Think of it this way, if your synergy/ghost overflow starts to leak or something, get another one, drain your tank just below the holes, replace overflow.
If something happens to your built in coast to coast... not so easy...

as for dimensions i personally wouldnt go more than 24" top to bottom. if its going to be a peninsula maybe you could go a little deeper (since you wouldnt have to reach across to the back of the tank) on my 24x24 its pretty hard to reach the back corner.

Also, i wouldn't recommend being a Guinea pig with 250 gallons of water + livestock... but thats just me.

The way i looked at it when i got mine, the tank is the thing that holds EVERYTHING else youre going to put in it, and it should last for the long haul. its worth spending a little extra up front to get it made correctly and nicely.
Click to expand...



I don't agree if it's made right that coast to coast won't leak. You have higher change of that bulkhead leaking than glass being silicone onto the back.


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scuzy said:
I don't agree if it's made right that coast to coast won't leak. You have higher change of that bulkhead leaking than glass being silicone onto the back.


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Click to expand...

I.m not saying either WILL leak. I'm just saying that one is much easier to fix than the other.
 
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