New Tank Checklist

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spjeff69

New member
I just got a new job at the post office, so I'm finally going to reward myself with a new tank. Right now, I have a 36 gallon.

I've decided to upgrade to a 115 gallon tank from glasscages. I am going to have it drilled and add an overflow. I have several questions though.

The dimensions for tank are 48 x 18 x 31. The dimensions for the stand are 48 x 18 x 30 tall, and the dimensions for the canopy 48 x 18 x 9 tall.

What pump would I need for the return? What plumbing pieces? What all goes into the sump? Can I have a fuge in my sump? Do I need a new skimmer for my sump (I have a Remora)?

Will these lights fit? Are they good? Will I have problems with heat?
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/metal_OuterOrbit.htm

The dimensions with the feet are 48.25" X 15.25 X 7.25 tall.

Any other stuff that I forgot about, please tell me!

Jeff
 
This is my Glass Cages 70 gallon (36X18X25) I have their stand and canopy too.

9513full_tank.jpg


Do yourself a favor and get the acrylic overflow cover and background. I chose black, but there are other colors. It makes the overflow blend into the background. They are $25 each for mine.

For the sump, they sell sumps. You can get baffles or whatever you want. This site will teach you all about sumps and fuges.

http://www.melevsreef.com/

Nice light. Here's another to consider.

http://www.hellolights.com/48aqpr2x15hq.html

For a retuen pump I use a mag 9.5 on mine, you might want to use more, like a mag 12. You might want to consider a closed loop too. You can have holes drilled for that too if you don't want to go over the back for the returns.

You could use the Remora but it will be A) way too small. And B) having it hang on the back defeats the purpose of having a sump.

I recommend ASM skimmers. I have a G-2 on my tank.

That's all I can think of for now.
 
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c_stowers runs a remora pro in the sump on his 92 bowfront. He told me he really likes the remora skimmers and has 2 or 3 of them. Anyway, that is what I have on my 29 and I'm planning on running it in my sump when I get my 90 hooked up. You just need to place the skimmer in the part of the sump that stays at a constant depth (first section or middle section -- depending on how you do your sump). Maybe he can chime in, but it sounds like it could work fine, at least while you are getting going.

I do agree that it sounds small for a 115 + sump -- but that also probably depends on your bioload. Since you are upgrading from a 36 your bioload shouldn't be too bad so you could use the Remora for a while and upgrade that later on. I don't know much 'cause I'm so new, but that doesn't keep me from throwing in my 2 cents! :)

Jack
 
Oh, and also, you said you are getting a canopy and the lights you link to are a complete unit. why not get a retrofit and mount the lights in your canopy? You could probably spend a little less $ by doing this. Also, I think the fan venting on that unit is on the ends and it likely wouldn't fit in your canopy.

Jack
 
If I went with the Coralife fixture, would I have problems with the fans?

What is a closed loop? What benefits does it offer? How do I set one up?

Glasscages has a predesigned sump for sell on its website. I don't know how to draw plans for one or anything. I would like a small fuge, bubble trap, an area for skimmer/heater, then return. Does anyone have plans for these?
 
I think those are on the ends as well.

From the FAQ on the coralife link above:

FAQ:
Q. Can I mount this into my canopy?
A. We wouldn't recommend that. This design is better suited to be mounted over the tank with the provided mounting legs.


Jack
 
31" is a tall tank. It will be hard for you to physically reach the bottom(unless you are very tall) and you will have to have stronger lighting to keep things close to the bottom. IMO a 120 48 x 24 x 24 is a much better size. Also 18" is hard to aquascape and 24" would make that much easier.

Aside from that what types of corals do you want to keep? Knowing that will go a long way in determining what type of lighting etc...to get.

Chris
 
Another thing you might consider is what you want to do with your tank. The 115 you are planning is TALL. If you want to grow corals, etc that demand a lot of light, you might want to go with a shorter tank. You could go wider (5 feet) and shorter and still end up with similar volume. You could also go deeper (24" instead of 18") and get a 120. Something to consider...

Jack
 
I help maintain a 31" tall tank. It is no fun. I have to use a step ladder and stretch as far as my muscles will stretch to reach three inches from the bottom. You have to go with some pretty intense lighting to get it to penetrate (depending on what you plan on keeping). The guy I'm helping out wants to upgrade to a 48x24x31 (from a 48x15x31-really disproportionate), so I'll still be playing in deep water, but it'll have a bit more width so I can do more with the initial set up interms of aquascaping. I've recommneded no less than 250W DE's for the 31" tank. a 400W SE would probably be the best fit, but the 250W DE's through out some serious light (too much for several of my corals, apparently...). I'd be interested in seeing what a 150W DE will do at those depths, though. Wouldn't be able to keep too many high light sps, but that's not his thing, anyway.
 
Wow, this is great. Thanks for the help everyone. I just want to be sure I do this right.

So, now I've modified my tank design to the 120 gallon 48 x 24 x 25

Stand 48 x 24 x 30 tall

Canopy - 48 x 25 x 9

I guess I should get the coralife retrofit. How hard are they to install? Where do you put the cooling fan?
 
This link provided above by Aquaman will give you lots of good info on sumps and closed loops. You might want to spend a few hours looking it over;)

http://www.melevsreef.com/

Edit: You also need to decide what types of corals you want to keep before deciding on lighting:)
 
A Remora is a fine skimmer. That's what I use on my 45 gallon reef tank. It hangs on the back. The Urcin is the model designed for a sump. If you are going to modify your Remora to use in your sump, that's fine. It will do something. You know a Remora is only designed for a 75 gallon tank or less. It will work, but will be way underpowered. When/if you decide to upgrade check out ASM skimmers. The one I have on my 70 gallon tank is rated for 200 gallons. Of course I have a predator tank with messy eaters so I need it.

And crumbletop,

Good call on the retro fit. That's what I have mounted in my canopy, a PC retro fit kit.

They are easy to install. You just use screws to mount the reflector to the wood and mount the lights to the reflector.

Here's the same light I recommended before but as a retro fit.

http://www.hellolights.com/48aqprorekit.html

You can just mount the fan inside the canopy or maybe cut holes on the ends of to get a cross flow of air. Its just up to you, how ever you want to do it. You could even add a seperate fan. I cut a hole in the back of my stand and added a computer fan to help cool it off.
 
I use a 20 K bulb on my reef and I like them.

mdwannabe uses 20 k bulbs too. You might want to check out his tank.

They give a slight bluish tint. Some like it, some don't. I do.

And the reason you have to put the first light on legs is because the fans are on top.
 
No that's not stupid:)

If you like 20K's for that hood you might think about a 2 x 250 watt retro with electronic ballasts(the electronic ballasts will let you run whatever bulb you like in case you decide to switch). Here is a link to one:
http://www.hellolights.com/buildyourown.html

Edt: better link
http://www.hellolights.com/465or48buili.html

Also you don't need to decide about bulbs now. You won't need them until a few weeks after the tank is setup anyway.

To keep heat down I would suggest a good external return pump. The Mag 9 or 12 will add a lot of heat and if you want to avoid a chiller this and fans in the hood will help.
 
Wow, the build your own retro is quite a bit cheaper ~100

Should I get 2 250 20000k or should I get 1 different one? I chose the powercompact option for the secondary bulbs. Is this good?

Also, it had the options for fans. Should I get any, and if I should how many of what size? Would I have to drill giant holes in my canopy?

You guys are awesome. Getting into something this big is kind of scary, but you are making it a lot easier. I will definately have to join up when I get my new tank.
 
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