Here it is - the 380 gallon tank - new topic

[jmccown]

OK guys, I've committed to buying this monster of a tank...380 gallons. It is 96x24x36. I am going to put it in the house and fit it to look like its built in the wall. Here is some pics of it currently where it is at. I am going to be picking it up next weekend in Indianapolis. Man you talk about butterflies in my stomach...I can't hardly wait..

I will probably use the stand and make a new canopy. For the finish I will use a nice grain wood covering and add some nice mouldings and top it off in a cherry stain. Ah yeah!!!!

New Question: what do you guys think about putting the display in the house and plumbing it under the house and out to my garage for the sump/filtration, etc? Keeping in mind that my garage is unheated. It would be about a 20 foot plumb job. What kind of return pump would I need to plumb a return also?

And now... the pics (hopefully they will work)

<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2700771310093763970rHjGow"><img src="http://thumb10.webshots.net/t/57/757/7/71/31/2700771310093763970rHjGow_th.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Webshots.com"></a><br>by <a href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jmccown1979> jmccown1979</a>

<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2889029030093763970AmkfpZ"><img src="http://thumb10.webshots.net/t/14/15/0/29/3/2889029030093763970AmkfpZ_th.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Webshots.com"></a><br>by <a href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jmccown1979> jmccown1979</a>

<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2869116190093763970VZDMVY"><img src="http://thumb10.webshots.net/t/57/557/1/16/19/2869116190093763970VZDMVY_th.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Webshots.com"></a><br>by <a href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jmccown1979> jmccown1979</a>

 

[jmccown]

Here is where the tank will be going. As you can see, the cabinets are coming out. The whole wall will be a tank wall. Will require some modification.

<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2942625260093763970WQcYRp"><img src="http://thumb10.webshots.net/t/18/19/6/25/26/2942625260093763970WQcYRp_th.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Webshots.com"></a><br>by <a href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jmccown1979> jmccown1979</a>

 

[Reef4Fun]

Wow! That is going to be wonderful!

 

[jmccown]

Anyone have any recommendations on lighting this thing? I will probably do a FO tank for a while. I was thinking of getting a utility type ballast with T8 bulbs that are 59 watts apiece. I have these in my office at work and they are super bright. I just need to get actinic lighting somehow to add a blue effect to the tank. Any suggestions/comments on either?

 

[Reef4Fun]

If it were my tank, and I would also need to save up for a reef tank, I would make it a FOWLR and use some cheap lighting (such as free lights in your office) and save for some MH and actinics. Since it is going to be kinda in the wall, you could DIY lighting and save.

 

[coralreefer]

I'd imagine you could use actinic 40w no T8's with that ballast. If not a cheap workhorse ballast will run a couple vho actinics.
If you're planning on using industrial T8s try to get 6500k bulbs. They use to be hard to find but are available. A lower kelvin will be pretty yellow even for a fo.

 

[Reef4Fun]

I have two double ended MH bulbs, 6500 that I changed and put in 10K's, if you would like to use them I would sell them both for $50 (half what I paid) I will bring them to the meet for anyone that may be interested. Let me know if you are.

 

[gebrony]

u should got with t5 hos just got mine and i love them so far

 

[jmccown]

I have 4' Tek T5's on my 90g, but finding something in the 8' range will be a little more difficult.

 

[phljess]

You can put anything on a FO tank. I would think some standard fluorescents would work fine. But when you change it over to a reef set-up you will probably need 400 watt halides with a big tank like that. How deep is it? If it is over 25 inches you will definately need something that can penetrate deep into the water and I do not think T5's or VHO's are going to do it for you.

Also with a tank that big you will need to plan things out very well before you set it up. If not you will be working yourself to death to up keep it. I suggest checking out the Large tank forum for ideas and talking to others who have larg tank set-ups before starting.

 

[Reef4Fun]

that tank is 36 inches deep (what a beautiful wall tank that will make!) but yes, it is gonna take a serious light for it to be a reef tank.

 

[firefish2020]

You would need a massive bank of T-5s to penetrate a 36" deep tank IMO. Personally I would use halides from the start several 400 Watters 6500 and 20K mix maybe and you never have to worry about upgrading when you decide to go reef.

 

[phljess]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8314709#post8314709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefish2020
You would need a massive bank of T-5s to penetrate a 36" deep tank IMO. Personally I would use halides from the start several 400 Watters 6500 and 20K mix maybe and you never have to worry about upgrading when you decide to go reef.

I would also suggest to get the equipment first and then set up. If you do not, I believe you will be sorry in the future. It took me over a year to get my equipment ready for my current tank but it also gave me time to think about how I wanted it to come together. It still is not the exactly the way I want it but it is much better than if I would have rushed things.

 

[1package]

Give water movement some thought before filling it up. I am now using a Seio 2600, Tunze 6100 and 2 external pumps on closed loops. If I were doing it over again - I would FOR SURE have had my tank drilled for additional closed loop drains and returns...........as opposed to running them over the top OR adding more "eye soar" pumps inside my tank. Even if not using them, bulkhead and a plug.

 

[phljess]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8317784#post8317784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1package
Give water movement some thought before filling it up. I am now using a Seio 2600, Tunze 6100 and 2 external pumps on closed loops. If I were doing it over again - I would FOR SURE have had my tank drilled for additional closed loop drains and returns...........as opposed to running them over the top OR adding more "eye soar" pumps inside my tank. Even if not using them, bulkhead and a plug.

Same here, I really like the reeflow pumps. They have large inputs and outputs but they can really move water. If I had it to do over, I would have had more holes drilled in my tank. I have heard good things about the new vortex pumps also.