I have just started plans for a new tank. This has been inspired by many of the upgrades going on right now on the Australian Reef Website and the incredible large tanks on Reef central (and of course the inevitable need to go larger to fit more and more). The new tank will be a peninsular design with dimensions of 8' x 3' x 2' giving a tank volume of around 1200 litres (350 gallons). The big push was for a wider tank as well as longer but also i wanted to be able to utilise more viewing area allowing for a greater display volume as such.
I have spent some time on Google Sketch Up to try to invisage the design and have posted some preliminary pics. I have not put any text on the plans yet so it is probably a little confusing but at least i can work out if everything is going to fit. The major challenge will be a chiller as it will need to be fairly big and for this reason i imagine this will be mounted seperately from the tank.
One thing i want to make sure of is good access to the top of the tank. Each light will be on a carrigae that can be pushed out to one side of the tank giving clear access. I will use unistrut sections with runners similar to
a lighting setup on the RTAW website (Australian Reef aquariums). I have also designed the hood to have minimal structure by using 50x50x3mm angle and hanging one end from the roof. The second option is to hang the entire hood from the roof and use magnets to hold it to the rest of the frame when in position and have a runner system mounted to the ceiling to allow for the hood to be pushed to one side when required.
I will be able to use most of my existing equipment but will need to buy extra lights and a new zeovit reactor. The one i have is only good for 600 litres. I will also have to look at upgrading my pumps to allow for extra flow. This is going to be the biggest challenge as i want to minimise the use of internal pumps. I will probably go with some more external pumps and utilise a closed loop system that comes through the base of the tank (any ideas would be appreciated).
I plan to incorporate some of the many ideas from the Australian Reef Aquarium site i frequent (RTAW) and of course from Reef central. I want to continue to develop the Aquatronica system i already have and ad some more features to automate many of the jobs that have to be done to maintain a healthy aquarium (such as water changes and dosing). I will also have a seperate water storage system for collected seawater.
I am very keen for feedback and experience with designing a tank this size so please feel free to comment.
I have spent some time on Google Sketch Up to try to invisage the design and have posted some preliminary pics. I have not put any text on the plans yet so it is probably a little confusing but at least i can work out if everything is going to fit. The major challenge will be a chiller as it will need to be fairly big and for this reason i imagine this will be mounted seperately from the tank.
One thing i want to make sure of is good access to the top of the tank. Each light will be on a carrigae that can be pushed out to one side of the tank giving clear access. I will use unistrut sections with runners similar to
a lighting setup on the RTAW website (Australian Reef aquariums). I have also designed the hood to have minimal structure by using 50x50x3mm angle and hanging one end from the roof. The second option is to hang the entire hood from the roof and use magnets to hold it to the rest of the frame when in position and have a runner system mounted to the ceiling to allow for the hood to be pushed to one side when required.
I will be able to use most of my existing equipment but will need to buy extra lights and a new zeovit reactor. The one i have is only good for 600 litres. I will also have to look at upgrading my pumps to allow for extra flow. This is going to be the biggest challenge as i want to minimise the use of internal pumps. I will probably go with some more external pumps and utilise a closed loop system that comes through the base of the tank (any ideas would be appreciated).
I plan to incorporate some of the many ideas from the Australian Reef Aquarium site i frequent (RTAW) and of course from Reef central. I want to continue to develop the Aquatronica system i already have and ad some more features to automate many of the jobs that have to be done to maintain a healthy aquarium (such as water changes and dosing). I will also have a seperate water storage system for collected seawater.
I am very keen for feedback and experience with designing a tank this size so please feel free to comment.
