Need help designing my Rimless Acro tank

ReefRockerLive

ReefRockerLive

GHL Mitras LX7 Club
I've been without a tank for over a year and now I feel the need to get back into it! My last tank was a AGA 75g and has been sitting empty for a while now along with some equipment.

I've been lurking around for sometime gathering ideas on how to design my new setup and have decided that rimless is the way to go. I've requested a quote for a 36" x 24" x 18" Rimless tank from Miracles. I've seen several designs for a rimless and have determined that it may be best for me to have an external overflow installed so that I may maintain more water movement within the tank.

I do have a budget of $650 for this tank, however if the quote ends up being more than the alloted amount, I may take a 2" loss on the height and make it 16" to save on money for other equipment.

So here's what I have at the moment:

Maxspect G2-170w LED fixture

Tunze 6105

Profilux III EX (Purchased from Cherry Corals w/out powerbar)

Profilux 3 pump doser

Fauna Marin UltraSkim 2 (Previously used on the 75g, it did a fantastic job, but may be too much for this tank.)

Phosban Reactor 150

RO/DI unit


Now for what I need:

Return Pump - Suggestions?

Stand - I am not too skilled when it comes to woodwork. I don't plan on making this an architectural marvel, so how hard is this to build?

Sump - What would be an adequate size? I plan on having it sectioned off. One section would be for the skimmer which has a foot print of 13.5" x 8.5"

Flow - I have a feeling that one Tunze 6105 will not be enough flow for the tank, so I am considering a second 6105. Thoughts and/or suggestions on pump placement?

I am excited to get this tank going, but I want to make sure that I have as much ground covered before having to redesign anything and spending money that didn't need to be spent.

RRL
 
Are you going to have a sandbed? If not dropping down to 16" won't be a problem, I had a 36x24x16 tank, and my two problems were sand getting kicked up, and aquascaping height. I used two MP40's on that tank, return pump was a Eheim 1262.

My suggestion is to build your stand, then decide on the size of the sump that will fit in there. Depending on the way you frame it, will tell how much room you have. For that size, I tried a 30Breeder, and ended up using a 20L, the 36" width was just too tight to fit. I eventually made my own sump out of 3/8 cast.
 
I've got a 36x24x18 rimless tank w/external overflow.

I'm using an Ehiem 1262 which is almost to much for it imop, but I plan to splice it off for a frag tank.

For a Sump I using a 40 gallon breeder (gets the job done) you can get them for like 30-40$

For flow, depending on your setup and demands.. I started off with just 2 modded 6025s, but as I some how sucked myself into buying some "higher flow demanding tables". I added an mp10, and since then I replaced one of the 6025s for an mp40 to mix it up.

I was doing great though with 2 modded 6025s shooting diagonally across the tank. I couldn't keep any sand down. So I wouldn't discount that option if you want a cheap solution for a moderately stocked tank.


However since you already have the 6105, you can easily toss in a modded 6025 for plenty of flow for a while.

Stand..just look for a used one floating around 3x2x2 tanks are some what popular so they do show up now and then, or you can have a steel one made cheap if you go to a local weld shop. (mine is steel with a wood facade)


As far as your skimmer being to big. I'm running a Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 and it has no problem filling that skimmer cup every week.

As far as sandbed, I gave up.. I let it blow where it blowed and just left it. To short of a tank with any serious flow unless you go "rubble" you going to fighting with it to keep it smooth.
 
Acrotrdco, once I get my quote I will ask Derek how much more money it would be to have a 20" H tank. Your tank is what's inspiring me to go rimless and with the Maxspect!

MammothReefer, can you post a picture of your tank so I can get an idea for what the dimensions look like?

Was it a hassle putting the 40 breeder inside the stand? I'd imagine it would be a tight fit due to the inside of the stand being smaller than 36" L.

Since the 1262 may be too much, perhaps the 1260 would be the better choice?
 
For the size of your tank, you'll definitely need a return pump with ~900-1000G/H, especially if your sump is positioned underneath your DT.

My sump is positioned behind my DT on the window sill, which means there's very little water pressure running against my return pump and I'm using a NewJet 3000 (3000L/H or ~800 G/H) with good results, I'd suggest you to go with either the 1262 with 910 G/H, or if you're on a budget, you could just get a NJ3000 which is just as good.
 
ReefRockerLive said:
MammothReefer, can you post a picture of your tank so I can get an idea for what the dimensions look like?

Was it a hassle putting the 40 breeder inside the stand? I'd imagine it would be a tight fit due to the inside of the stand being smaller than 36" L.

Since the 1262 may be too much, perhaps the 1260 would be the better choice?
Click to expand...

Putting the sump in was straight forward a 40 breeder is just a tall 20L. It's 30" L so it drops right in.

As far as the pump there is 2 schools of thought, I prefer less flow threw my sump giving my skimmer more time, others prefer more flow. I was afraid the 1260 wouldn't have enough head pressure for manifold system I built so I went w/the 1262 I ended up not using the manifold so I do feel like I have a lot of water going threw the sump. However if you aren't really to concerned about how many watts you return pump is using you can go with a 1262 and tune it down to your needs.


Here is my tank as of a few weeks back.

132929910.jpg


132929909.jpg


132929908.jpg


132906754.jpg
 
Btw, I don't know if Miricles can build that tank for 650 dollars, I know for myself, shipping my AGE was over 300. Tank was way more than that, and it's only 40"X28"X22"
 
Thanks Mammoth for the pictures. I will likely go with the 1262 because I just want to make sure I have extra flow to work with if needed.
From what I hear, AGE tanks are more expensive than miracles so hopefully it won't go over budget.
 
MammothReefer said:
Putting the sump in was straight forward a 40 breeder is just a tall 20L. It's 30" L so it drops right in.

As far as the pump there is 2 schools of thought, I prefer less flow threw my sump giving my skimmer more time, others prefer more flow. I was afraid the 1260 wouldn't have enough head pressure for manifold system I built so I went w/the 1262 I ended up not using the manifold so I do feel like I have a lot of water going threw the sump. However if you aren't really to concerned about how many watts you return pump is using you can go with a 1262 and tune it down to your needs.


132906754.jpg
Click to expand...

Sweet looking tank, a 40 breeder is 36X18X16 I believe, sounds like you are tanking about a 29 which is the same footprint as a 20L but taller.
 
Acrotrdco said:
I'd suggest going with 20" tall though, with 16-17" of water that's the minimum for any SPS tank, if you're gonna have sand, 1.5-2" sand is more than enough.

Mine is also a rimless tank, dimension is 40"x16"x20", you could go take a look at my thread if you haven't already saw it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums//showthread.php?t=1929512
Click to expand...

Can I ask why you think you need at least 16 to 17 inches minimum for an sps tank?

I think thats great great dimensions for a tank and contemplating the same size. I ended up getting a 48x24x12 instead though because I really like the shallow tank. I have accepted the fact I'm going to have to go barebottom though. If you wanna go sps I'd think about it too.
 
I don't think you need a minimum, but having some height is nice when you are growing stags and torts. The added height gives you more options for aquascaping. It's tough to do a nice job on a shallow tank, a lot tougher than a 20+ inch tall one.
 
MammothReefer said:
Putting the sump in was straight forward a 40 breeder is just a tall 20L. It's 30" L so it drops right in.

As far as the pump there is 2 schools of thought, I prefer less flow threw my sump giving my skimmer more time, others prefer more flow. I was afraid the 1260 wouldn't have enough head pressure for manifold system I built so I went w/the 1262 I ended up not using the manifold so I do feel like I have a lot of water going threw the sump. However if you aren't really to concerned about how many watts you return pump is using you can go with a 1262 and tune it down to your needs.


Here is my tank as of a few weeks back.

132929910.jpg
Click to expand...


Beautiful tank! Very impressed! Looks like you're running out of room? :D Upgrade time?
 
Oh okay. I was going to say I have seen more then a few sps dominant shallow tanks. I think a shallower tank would be easier if you have a larger footprint...which is why I had bought the 4ftx2ftx1ft. I don't know if they deliver all the way to where you live but it might be worth a look at glass-cages. I don't know if they do the external overflow like you want but it would be worth a shot.
 
I would go the glasscages route but the way they build the bottom frame on the inside isn't too nice looking and will look odd if I go the BB route. GC would require me to pickup the tank in NY and I doubt I will get a chance to go get it.

I was quoted $1029 shipped for 3-sided starfire and external overflow. Does the price sound about right for a 36 x 24 x 18. I plan on calling Derek and changing the specs to fall at least within the $700 range. The 3-sided starfire is an added bonus but I will likely have to go with front only to make it more affordable. Does anyone recomend negoiating at the current price? I know Miracles does quality work but I don't want to offend them by trying to talk them down on the price.
 
fishez4alivin said:
research them and I would thoroughly inspect the tank before you let the guy unload it on you
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1995195
Click to expand...

No offense but you base a companies reputation on a tank that cracked like that. A whole host of things could have contributed to that. I can't imagine it had anything to do with construction. Was most likely either a defect in the glass that wasn't noticeable or a problem in how the tank was sitting.
 
hi guys i new on this forum ,but i have 150 gallons tank 5 ft long by 2 ft wide and 2 ft tall and also i have 22 x22 x10 inches tall frag tank,and i order rimles sallow tank 48x30x16 inches tall any suggestions on the lights? also i will sell my 150 gallons tank and my frag tank so if any body interest let me now thank you
 
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