Help me design my custom tank!

[jcm2m9]

I am currently strongly thinking about replacing my 29 gallon with a 24" x 24" x 16" cube. Here is the current thread on my 29 gallon tank.... 29 Gallon

I am going to run an open top with no euro bracing. I am going to run a sump/refugium and am going to have a closed loop. The tank is going to be viewable from 3 sides (all sides except back which will be black acrylic.

I am waning to aquascape 3 islands if possible. I am trying to get ideas on my aquascaping.

This tank is going to house LPS, zoos and 5 or 6 SPS, but the main focus will be LPS. I am currently trying to figure out how to design the overflow and cl system.

My return pump will be a Mag 3. I am not wanting to do a huge flow in the tank. I am considering using a Mag 9.5 as the cl pump. What do you all think about that? Is there another pump you would recommend? Is that going to be enough flow or too much?

I would like to run a SCWD on the cl so that will reduce flow some. Also, should the intake for the cl pump be in the back and the returns in the bottom

I have a ton of questions, but will start with these about the cl.

Thanks a million and I really appreciate everyones opinons. If I am going to have a custom tank made I really want it to be as close to perfect as can be!

James

 

[mmaise]

If it is completely custom, then you should think about starphire glass. I think an external overflow with a Durso standpipe would be a great option to supply the Sump/Refugium. For the closed loop a mag 9.5 would be okay but there are better external pumps, you could drill the back for a bulkhead and put a intake strainer on it so it would all be black. For the closed loop return I think one on the upper right and one one the lower left would be cool. You could use lockline to piont them and evrything would also be in black. The scwd seems to take away a lot of flow, what you could do is use an Oceans Motions 2 way Squirt, if you have the money. A 1 inch bulkhead for the closed loop intake and 3/4" bulkheads for the closed loop returns sound good.
Matt

 

[jcm2m9]

The reason I am going acrylic is becuase we have a very good building in my area that supports our local club.

What CL pump would you recommend?

What about this? http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PI1115

 

[jcm2m9]

Here is what I have so far. The four holes in the bottom are for the 4 cl returns (3/4" bulkheads). The top hole in the back is for the return from the sump (3/4" bulkhead). The hole below that is for the cl intake (1" bulkhead). The overflow box has a hole for a 1" bulkhead.

The 2 cl returns in the back are 3" from the side and 3" from the back and the 2 cl returns in the front are 5" from the front and 5" from the side.

I made a mistake when making the overflow box so it shows that the bottom of the overflow box does not go to the bottom of the tank. I discovered this when I maked the two parts together. I did not feel like fixing it at that point.

Also, I think I want the back and overflow box made of black acrylic. What do you all think of this?

I am not very good with this program at this point so this is still a learning process for me. I am starting to get it.

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

Why do you need to make the overflow box that tall? Only means that the water falls farther. I've seen a couple guys build tanks where the box is rather short and then the water goes into the tubes down to the sump.

Will you get optimal flow by running your CL up through the bottom like that? I'm not too familiar with CL's, but I've never seen one come up through the bottom like that. Perhaps running a CL in from the back using an SCWD or some type of alternating valve would give you good flow as the water deflects off the front panel and around the sides. Also, why put two returns on one side of the overflow box? Why not one on each side to improve flow throughout the tank.

 

[jcm2m9]

The bottom hole on the right side is the intake for the CL pump. I put a return and intake on that side becuase it will be less visible then the other side.

As for the full height overflow I believe the bottom of the overflow has to sit on the stand. On an acrylic tank the bottom of the tank must be completely support. Unlike on a glass aquarium where you only have to support the edges. Also, in the overflow I am going to use a duso standpipe

I put the cl returns in the bottom on suggestion of a local reefer who has a 48" x 48" x 24" cube. (His RC thread) . I am trying to hide the CL returns in the rocks so you can not see them. I have not decided on this design, but this is what I am considering now.

 

[jcm2m9]

Well, Scott (our local builder) and I have been working on this tank for over a week now. I believe we got a final design; however, I would like everyone else to take a look at it and tell me what they think. The tank is 24" x 24" x 16".

The bottom has (4) 3/4" cl returns, the back has one hole outside the overflow box for the drain for the cl, and the overflow box has one hole for the drain to the sump and one for the return from the sump.

My cl pump is going to be a GenX PCX40 and my sump return will be a Mag 5 or something similar. I have also ordered my sump. AW (lfs) is getting me a 24" x 24" x 17" glass tank.

I am currently thinking of how I want to design my stand. That is going to be the most challenging part. I need to get everything in the stand with my huge sump. It might have to be two levels.

I am also doing reading on DIY calcium reactors on RC. I found one that is pretty easy. I might give it a go also.

Let me know what you think.