My possible custom tank

Ok. I'm not even sure I would be using that same sump, as there are probably more options out there. Is the in tank refugium pretty good for the type of tank I have? I would need to have some copepods and such for some fish, and I guess its good to have a place for corals to stay for awhile and sick fish.
 
Ok. Just noticed the dimensions. I do plan on keeping some fish that would require Copepods and such, how should I go about getting something for those to grow safely in? Im thinking about just getting a cheap glass tank and then adding some dividers for the sump, probably cheaper anyways. Would it be possible to somehow attach another small tank or something for a fuge?
 
Which fish are you looking at keeping would be my first question. If you're looking at dragonets I'd probably suggest going with the 70/93 sized perfectos cubes they're 30" cubes as opposed to the 24" 45 but leave you significantly more options as far as pod needing fish go. In the 45 you could aways just put in a good size mass of chaeto for pod production but I'd probably still steer clear of dragonets. If you're gonna make a sump you could probably tie in a small remote fuge under the tank as well but I've never put one in that particular stand size a 2.5 would probably work fine
 
Here's another - ready to go 50g system - you may want to consider; great deal at $999.

http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=158


50%20Gallon%20Artisan-696%20re.jpg




TOTAL PROFESSIONAL REEF READY DESIGN:

Our Artisan series aquarium features high quality extra thick 10MM thick glass with 3 sided Starfire panels. All diamond mitered for the ultimate look and feel of furniture detailing that you would expect CAD aquariums to have. Euro style frameless gives you the elegance of Contemporary aquarium designing. The "Open Top" style lets you see the livestock on top for more dimensional views of the reef. Each one of these tanks are hand built with professionally hand tooled solid black seams.

Total Reef-Ready design allows for external sump and equipment installation. Each tank is built with an aesthetically pleasing seamless acrylic laser cut overflow box to maximize effective bottom and top surface skimming. Overflow system has a maximum drain speed of 1000GPH. This extra speed allowance gives you added silence while the system is running full speed. Completely hides the drain and return plumbing kits.


STANDARD FEATURES

* TANK DIMENSIONS: (L)24" x (W)24" x (H)20".

* 10MM thick 3 sides Starfire glass (front and 2 sides) with furniture style mitered edges.

* Cadlights Pro 18G refugium sump. Now with extra large 10.25" x 7" footprint skimmer chamber to fit a standard 70G skimmer or the upgraded 160G Pin-wheel skimmer (does not include refugium substrate).

* Laser-cut cast acrylic reef ready overflow box with bottom and top surface skimmers for extra drain efficiency and noise reduction. Extra glass walled reinforcement for added durability. now with Modified Durso drain and Loc-Line plumbing kit.

* Extra quiet 650GPH Utility pump.

* In-sump Bubble-Magus NAC-3 Pinwheel protein skimmer (up to 70G medium loaded systems)

* Black adhesive Vinyl background

* PC light strip for refugium.

* 3-stage 200W HQI, T5HO, LED-HO lighting system with 150W Prism bulb, 24W x 2 T5HO Actinics and 2 LEDHO moonlights.

* Separate circuits and switches for complete automatic and manual control for each T5 bulb, LED-HO system and Halides. Easily compatible with all kinds of timers.

* 70G cooling fan unit.


OPTIONAL FEATURES

* 120W LED Pendant system with 1:1 14K to pure Actinic blue 420NM. By PAR and Lumens it is equivalent to a 250W Radium Metal Halide bulb. 3 cooling fans, 2 separate cords and 2 manual switches for total control using both timers and manual.

* In-sump Bubble-Magus NAC-6 Protein skimmer (Up to 160G Medium loaded system). Great for customers who plan to keep a heavy loaded aquarium or in need of even more refined water parameters.

* Brushed Stainless steel finish lamp tree for HQI (Pair). This gives you lots of extra options to raise/lower, push forward/back the light to the desired height and depth for a true rimless look at exactly the right light placement of your choice.

* Brushed Stainless steel finish lamptree for LED system (Single). Comes already with LED light system. The single lamptree allows you to raise or lower the LED light system to the height of your choice giving you a true rimless look with a barely noticeable hanging system.
 
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I was looking at those. They are a possibility :) Waiting to get a quote back from a company in Florida that makes some pretty intense tanks.

If I did get the CADlights tank, I would only be getting the tank, and stand (maybe overflow too) and possibly the sump. Nothing else. i already have a set of lights picked that I like a little more, and that are cheaper.
 
The way I read it (standard features) you get everything minus heater, sand and rock. Skimmer can be upgraded; light can be upgraded to LED for a 1/3 of what you pay for one outside of this package deal. Either way, just wanted to throw it at you - given size and package - that's a smokin deal.
 
What light are you talking about that is cheaper? Sorry, lost me in that logic :p

Were you looking at the first PDF, or the one I attached later on (blue one).

Still can't find a good tank and stand, might get a custom one from reef-savvy, anyone know about them or their prices?

Also, how does my ATO that I selected work? It has excellent reviews, but do I need another pump or what? This is all kind of confusing for my first time getting a tank like this, the Biocube is just plug in and add water :P
 
Sorry for the confusion; I was referring to the setup I posted, not your pdfs. If you were add that set up to your cart on the Cadlights website, it will give you a few upgrade options. One was the skimmer (bigger Bubblemagnus), another was the lights (LED - $130 more) and something else.

That said, I'm pretty anal when it comes to the tank builds I do so can appreciate (and respect) the direction you are headed. The only reason I posted the system I did was because I knew there were cheaper options for the size you wanted.

Make sure to post some pics when you figure things out and acquire the new rig - it is exciting process. I enjoy the build more than I do actually raising corals and livestock :-)

Sorry, not familiar with that ATO but do no Spectra is a popular brand among reefers.
 
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Still gotta convince the "walking wallets" to even get me a bigger tank :P

I did look at the one you posted, and decided to build my own with the tank, stand, and the sump, nothing else. The lights I have will work fine for me, and look good too.

Will post another PDF with the final things (hopefully).

Should I get an RO/DI unit (SpectraPure® Maxpure 40 GPD RO System) or just keep getting refills from my LFS. It is a 30min drive to get to them, but its only $5 for 5 gallons.

How to RO/DI systems work to? Will I need to have it connects to my water pipes or what?

As for the Auto Top off, will I need to get a pump for that too?
 
I hear you man - hey, take a look back at my post. I did an edit - wanted to emphasize exactly where I knew you were headed - the custom build.

Regarding an RO/DI unit. Personally, I think this is one of those things that we over analyze. Be more focused on the features vs. the name brand. Things that are nice - 3 stage RO, 1 stage DI. Clear canisters vs. white so you can visually see the filters without pulling canister to see if they need to be changed. A pressure gauge and TDS meter (which you can get separate) is nice and usually 75g per day is good. This is one of those things that once you start making your own water you wonder why you didn't start from the beginning.

You will need to tap into a water source for your RO/DI. I have mine connected to the line going into my hot water heater in the garage. You can also get hose adapters. I have to look up the exact unit you are talking about but would assume you will need a pump to pump the water from your fresh water resivoir to your sump. One note: do not have your fresh water dump next to your skimmer in the sump. Fresh water is leaner and when it dumps next to your skimmer it will cause it to get out of whack.

I got tired of doing topping off the fresh water resivoir and got rid of my ato. I now have a line going straight into my sump connected to an E-Shopps float. Not advocating you do the same - some argue that's not good for the RO/DI unit and fear the float failing - but to date (5 months now) I've had no issues. I do have a leak controller which will turn off the water line if the sensor detects water (in case of overflow).
 
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I really don't need 75 Gal per day though :| The one I posted about has gotten all 5 star reviews, and is a good price. How do I hook that up though?
 
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