Nellis's 36x24 Build

[mnellis3023]

Hello Everyone,
This is my first true build from the ground up on a tank. Currently I am living in Kansas City, but I am in the process of being relocated to Chicago. So until my house sells and I can move north, this tank will be dry. This might be better in the long run, as it will allow me to get everything inline and setup how I want it to.


I want to say thanks to a good friend and local reefer that built the stand, canopy and overflow box. He is one of the best DIY people I know and has the best SPS system I know of.


Tank Specs
36x24x18 Glass Tank
Custom Coast-to-Coast toothless Overflow
2 x 1.5'' drains

Stand

Custom Made in Paint Grade Pine solid wood and minor use of veneered plywood

Equipment Details
30g Breeder Aquarium(30x18x12)
Reef Octopus NWB 150
Little Giant 3MDQX Return Pump(1100gph)
OM Squirt 4 way for the return
Tunze 6025(not yet received and will be modified)
Tunze 6045
400w 12k Reeflux driven by a M59 ballast

 

[mnellis3023]

Some more stand pics

 

[mnellis3023]

And a few more.....of the overflow box, halide a leds

 

[SawdustInTank]

Nice woodwork. I like how the front flips up..........

 

[mnellis3023]

Thanks....

Down the road I would like to add linear actuators to automate the flip up of the canopy

 

[Usul0]

Very beautiful stand and canopy. Keep us updated.

 

[mnellis3023]

Im looking for some fish stocking ideas for this tank.

Whats your ideas?

 

[mnellis3023]

Got the OM Squirt plumbed tonight

 

[mark54321]

Good start,I like the stand and canopy.Keep the pictures coming.

 

[mnellis3023]

I ended up having some issues with bad paint...It was coming out blotchy. So I did some buffing tonight and laid a few coats of a new paint, and its looking much better. I'm gonna smooth it up tomorrow and apply one last coat. In total this thing will have used over 10 cans of paint.

 

[mnellis3023]

To Closed Loop or not to Closed Loop........that is the question?


What are your thoughts?

 

[stixkeeper]

nicely done buddy keep u the good workd

 

[MentalNote]

Looking good. I will be following your thread. I am awaiting a tank with similar dimensions 40x23x18 including a modified coast to coast.

 

[Cooper Inc]

I like it a lot. I went with a 24 x 24 x 24 cube and I think its to high. But I already got it filled up with SW. I might change my mind before I get the Aquascaping done. Not sure yet. But your tank looks great and perfect tank size! Keep up the good work.

 

[ChadTheSpike]

Nice work, it looks great.

With the highly efficient and space conserving power heads on the market today, I dont think there really is a CL vs. no CL question anymore. To me, the PHs win the competition hands down.

 

[TriNewbie24]

Looks great!

 

[mnellis3023]

Thanks everyone...

Im still debating a Closed loop, I already have all the components to do this. Thats the primary reason Im kind of sold on the idea

 

[epleeds]

To Closed Loop or not to Closed Loop........that is the question?


What are your thoughts?

one MP40 would be more than enough for the tank in my opinion. if you need more you could use one of the tunze's tucked into a corner..

I have one in my 75 and it is amazing.

good luck with you decision

 

[ChadTheSpike]

Thanks everyone...

Im still debating a Closed loop, I already have all the components to do this. Thats the primary reason Im kind of sold on the idea

Here are my thoughts on "why" for no closed loop:

Stats: MP40 (I chose the vortech only because it has been discussed here already, there are certainly other great options for a high efficiency PH, like tunze): 3000 gph and 40W max power consumption and $425 cost.

Comparable efficient external pump for CL: ReeFlo Snapper hybrid (assuming ~2-3ft head loss for fittings and such) 3100 gph and ~108w power consumption (website says 145w max at 3600 gph) and $290 cost.

Assuming US average power cost of 9.4 cents per kw hour, the MP40 costs $32.94/year to operate and the ReeFlo pump costs $88.93/yr to operate.

In a little less than two years and five months the MP40 pays for the difference between the pumps, then continues to be less.

What is comes down to is do you really want to pay ~$56 a year for a more complicated yet slightly cleaner looking setup?

 

[mnellis3023]

All right, its update time.

I have now been in Naperville for nearly 3 weeks. This tank is all setup and nearing the end of its cycle. I have 5 fish currently, but will be adding a couple more in the next month or so. Originally I was going to do sps, but have decided to go with lps-softies and zoas.

Now for the pics. sorry for the low quality and diatoms

FTS

Front Left

Front Right

Complete Left

Complete Right

Need to clean up the wires, but the shot of the sump