How I got approval for my tank upgrade....

[SPotter]

So, this one is definitely for the books!!!! We were at my wife's sister's house yesterday and they have a very small piece of exercise equipment that apparently is very difficult to use and only my brother in-law has been able to do it correctly. So my big mouth opens up while my wife is trying it and says, "œCome on how hard could it be?" My wife said she will bet me $1000 that I can't do it. Keep in mind my wife doesn't work so her money is ultimately my money so I didn't see the benefit here for me. So my response was forget the money and let me upgrade to the tank of my choice if I can do one and she said deal. Now, let me give you a little color about myself...40 yrs old, 6'1", 250 lbs, I've had two back operations and half of my colon removed. I think the last time I was in a gym was because I needed to use the men's room. I used to be in really good shape but lately that shape can be described as slightly round. I was more concerned about breaking wind while attempting this than actually being able to do it. So without delay, here's what my challenge was"¦..

www.amazon.com/Amber-Ab-Slider/dp/B00306YJOE


In the end, I was able to do 10 before my wife said I could stop!!!! So bigger tank here I come!

Now the hard part on deciding what size tank to go with! Thoughts and suggestions are welcomed!

 

[gofor100]

Hahaha... that's awesome.

I'd say go with "As Big As Possible" given the space you have (and if you can afford it ).

Also what livestock were you thinking of keeping?

I've been planning an upgrade for the past couple of months now, and really like the look of "deep" (front to back) tanks since it gives you a lot of aquascaping options... between 36"-48" to give you an idea. Course, this would be on a tank that is between 84"-96"... so in the end over 300 gallons.

Interested to see what you decide on.

Good luck!

-Chad

 

[collegeman]

I wish my girlfriend would challenge me like that. We have a piece of equipment that is similar and I can do a couple. Good luck and i am looking forward to your tank build.

 

[SPotter]

Thanks guys! I really like the deep tanks as well. I've been looking at a 240 that is 60x36x26. I really dont want to go over anything longer than 72" because of wall space issues the fact that I am doing this in my basement will create some entry point limitations with door ways and bilco doors leading into my basement.

 

[israel.kendall]

Lol nice story! Does she have any idea that this is gonna end up costing well over the one grand she tried to bet?

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[SPotter]

Well, fortunately I have been slowly accumulating equipment as I have seen deals on used equipment so she wont see too many boxes coming to the house. However, when my first tank crossed over the $5k mark she stopped asking me so I am sure she knows how much it will cost. I am sure that one trip to the local jewlers and she will forget all about how much it will cost.

 

[dave.m]

Personal preferences will prevail, of course, but for my money ... well, actually, yours ... anything less than 30" tall is a waste of time, as your corals will outgrow it in 2-3 years.

Dave.M

 

[SPotter]

Dave...thats an excellent point. I hadnt thought of that. I always stayed away from deep tanks for the simple reason that they are hard to reach the bottom.

 

[gofor100]

Dave...thats an excellent point. I hadnt thought of that. I always stayed away from deep tanks for the simple reason that they are hard to reach the bottom.

That's the very reason my future tanks will not be any taller than 27" (probably more like your 26" height). I love the look of "tall" tanks, but for maintenance, they can really be a pain in the rear.

But, having said that, if you've got long arms, or don't mind getting some deoderant in your tank, then go for it! Hahaha...

-Chad

 

[gofor100]

Well, fortunately I have been slowly accumulating equipment as I have seen deals on used equipment so she wont see too many boxes coming to the house. However, when my first tank crossed over the $5k mark she stopped asking me so I am sure she knows how much it will cost. I am sure that one trip to the local jewlers and she will forget all about how much it will cost.

That's been my strategy... just collecting equipment until I get the green light for the new tank.

So what does your equipment list look like (stuff you've already gotten, and stuff you need/want to get)?

 

[SPotter]

So far here is what I have picked up....
OM4 (planning on doing a closed loop)
Reeflo Dart
Blueline HD100
Iwaki 70RLT (will sell either the blueline or iwaki once I know what size tank i am going with)
3 BRS dosing pumps
BRS GFO and GAC reactor
Float switches and break out boxes

What I need to get....
Skimmer
Heaters
Decide on sump/fuge design...(Waiting for the $1 a gallon sale at petco)
Lighting...going with SE MH and supplement with either blue led or vho (leaning towards led)
Dry Rock
Sand
Misc Plumbing supplies
Additional probes and expansion modules for my Apex

A case of scotch to calm my nerves when things dont work the way I want them to!

I am sure I'm missing plenty of things but thats all I can think of.

Tank will focused on SPS with splashed of zoas, acans and some LPS thru out the tank. As far as fish goes, I really like the idea of just 2 or 3 different types of schooling fish.

 

[albano]

... anything less than 30" tall is a waste of time, as your corals will outgrow it in 2-3 years.

IMO, over 27" is too tall, and very hard to work on...(I got rid of a 300g that was 96"x24"x30"h...my present 450g is 96"x40"x27"h, and I have 3 other tanks at 27"h) ... BUT...fair warning...even at 27" large base rock is VERY hard to place.
Since very few people would place sps on the sand bed...I'm betting that for most people, coral will be placed the same distance from the top, no matter how tall the tank is , therefore the corals will reach the waterline in the same amount of time.

BTW, did I mention that this is just MO!

 

[nightOwl]

SPotter,
When you emailed me that this morning I was laughing so hard...I am still laughing over here. Welcome to the club!

A couple of things to keep in mind about the deep tanks. Higher power lights will be needed for good penetration of light. You can get away with less while the corals are smaller but as the corals start to grow less light will reach the bottom. Depending on how you have it set up make sure you can access the bottom of your tank. If you tank is too deep maintenance is going to be a pain and we all know if something becomes a pain we tend to let it go. Put pretty corals in your tank and when they start to outgrow your tank frag baby frag...LOL. Just my two cents . Good luck on this upgrade!

Now back to my laughing at you...

 

[nightOwl]

So far here is what I have picked up....
OM4 (planning on doing a closed loop)
Reeflo Dart
Blueline HD100
Iwaki 70RLT (will sell either the blueline or iwaki once I know what size tank i am going with)
3 BRS dosing pumps
BRS GFO and GAC reactor
Float switches and break out boxes

What I need to get....
Skimmer
Heaters
Decide on sump/fuge design...(Waiting for the $1 a gallon sale at petco)
Lighting...going with SE MH and supplement with either blue led or vho (leaning towards led)
Dry Rock
Sand
Misc Plumbing supplies
Additional probes and expansion modules for my Apex

A case of scotch to calm my nerves when things dont work the way I want them to!

I am sure I'm missing plenty of things but thats all I can think of.

Tank will focused on SPS with splashed of zoas, acans and some LPS thru out the tank. As far as fish goes, I really like the idea of just 2 or 3 different types of schooling fish.

The CASE of scotch...is hilarious....lol. Man I think we know that feeling...

 

[SPotter]

IMO, over 27" is too tall, and very hard to work on...(I got rid of a 300g that was 96"x24"x30"h...my present 450g is 96"x40"x27"h, and I have 3 other tanks at 27"h) ... BUT...fair warning...even at 27" large base rock is VERY hard to place.
Since very few people would place sps on the sand bed...I'm betting that for most people, coral will be placed the same distance from the top, no matter how tall the tank is , therefore the corals will reach the waterline in the same amount of time.

BTW, did I mention that this is just MO!

I really appreciate your input!

 

[SPotter]

The CASE of scotch...is hilarious....lol. Man I think we know that feeling...

I think I stole that one from you!!!

20 years ago I had a 110 and that was so deep I remember needing a step ladder just to get my entire arm in the tank and then it was so difficult to reach the bottom. I think I will stick to something 24-27" deep.

 

[TChristman]

Good stuff. That was funny!

 

[SPotter]

Good stuff. That was funny!

It was like taking candy from a baby! There was one point where I wasnt sure if I was going to be able to pull it off.

 

[nightOwl]

So it sounds like you are not going for the deep tank this go around. I will be following along to see what you finally decide . Now that you have a stash of equipment it should not be too much more to buy...lol.

 

[SPotter]

I wish there wasnt that much to buy but you know me, I always find something to buy. I am pretty sure that I am going to go with 60x36x25. I think the width will allow me to create an amazing scape for the tank.