My fish needed a longer tank - all 130" of it - the build

[jmccown]

It will have a shallow sand bed for my red coris wrasse. I also like the look of sand. The sump is a 75g acrylic. In my current 380g tank I do not have a refugium compartment because I ran a skimmer in that area. With the new tank I will run an external skimmer and implement a refugium. My obstacle with the skimmer is that I only have 25" under the tank to work with and it has to be external. If I use a skimmer outside the stand I will have to enclose it due to having an 18 month old daughter who likes to get into everything.

The tank measurements are 130x24x26.

 

[jmccown]

Here are some pics of my current tank.

 

[jmccown]

 

[jmccown]

My photo skills suck but you guys get the idea on why I needed a longer tank.

 

[jmccown]

 

[coralnewbee]

your fish will surly love the extra space,,,,

 

[brookers]

awesome collection of fish you got there. will be following this one !!

 

[LisaD]

Jason, it's looking good, those fish are going to appreciate the extra room!

 

[jmccown]

Thanks everyone. I hope the fish do appreciate the room. I want them to be as happy as possible.

What kind of skimmer would you guys recommend for this setup? It would have to be external.

 

[baldwinaquaman]

These pictures really don't do the tank justice! I saw it in person a few days ago, and it is amazing, I think the word I used is impressive, I know the new tank will be even better! I'm still looking forward to his old tank though! Keep up the good work Jason.

 

[Bax]

Great group of fish!

Is that two vlamingis I see there!!! If no one else appriciates the 11' they sure will!

 

[jmccown]

Got that right Bax. Yep a pair of vlamingii's.

 

[ccampbell57]

Skimmer perfect for this tank Jason will be a BK300-400. You will need something that skims the heavy bioload for this size.

 

[jmccown]

wow, those BK's are pricy. Dimensions would be great though.

 

[reefman66]

That's a long tank!! tagging along:wavehand:

 

[Bax]

I think I am OK to post this link since CA is a sponsor, anyway, we'll find out! The SWC extreme 1A Cone skimmer is on sale, good dims, nice price!

http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=PS-SWC-1ACONE

 

[jmccown]

Well after much arguing with my wife about a larger external skimmer going outside of the tank I lost. Looks like I have to go with something that will fit under the tank, which restricts me to 25" height. I'd like to spend no more than $700 if possible.

 

[barbianj]

That looks like a perfect spot for that tank! Good idea to keep it that far off of the wall, too. Great progress. :beer:

 

[jmccown]

Thanks Barbian.

Last night I drained FW out of it, put several hundred pounds of sand in and installed gutter guard in the overflow boxes to keep the fish in. I'm going to get some lids cut out for the openings in the top to reduce evaporation and to keep fish in.

Tonight I am going to make the switch if I can get off work at a decent hour. I figure it will take 4-5 hours to move everything - water, rock, fish, move the old sump out and re-plumb under new tank. I'm dreading it but want to get it over with. The wife is pushing me to get the old tank out of the wall so I can start building her fireplace. Plus I already have sold the old tank and the buyer wants to pick up in a few days. So much work to do, so little time.

 

[Bax]

I think I am OK to post this link since CA is a sponsor, anyway, we'll find out! The SWC extreme 1A Cone skimmer is on sale, good dims, nice price!

http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=PS-SWC-1ACONE

Rated for 400 gallons, 25" tall, 73 watts!!! $674.39 ON SALE NOW! :spin1:

I love my watt gulping MRC MR4R, but if i were buying a new skimmer right now, it would be a cone of some kind no doubt about it!