New tank planning

[bnmir]

I'd like to set up a smallish (30-40g) tank on the main floor of the house. Since it will be in the living area, it will need to be nice, clean, and quiet.
I'm partial to tanks with good length & width, almost cubish.
24 x 18 x 18 would seem ideal, standard lighting options, room to 'scape. But there dont' seem to be any standard offerings in that size.
I'm pretty sure i'll end up scratching acrylic, so I think I need glass.
The cadlight 39g is in that range, but i'm not wild about the whole package. Sump seems small, skimmer is probly crap, etc.
Going to need holes to plumb a sump, and return at the least.
I'm not sure if I should try toget enough circulation with sump/return plumbing, or plan a closed loop.
Another pump for C/L seems bad from a noise, heat, and cost standpoint.
Opinions? Suggestions on a tank?

 

[cloakerpoked]

You could just go for a cube...either 24x24x24 (60 gallon) or 18x18x18. With a tank that small, you could even go with Koralia powerheads if you wanted to, and that would definitely handle the noice concern, and still get you more than enough circulation. I wouldn't go for a pre-made system, since they always seem to skimp at some point in the process. Better to do it right once than wrong twice, and cheaper too.

 

[bnmir]

Any standard tanks like that out there, or am I talking custom.
Anyone local do nice work, or not local that ships reasonably?

 

[cloakerpoked]

http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=2

Their cube tank (by itself) is $220 (24x24x25) and 40 gallon square (24x24x17) is $132. Their prices seem reasonable, although shipping may get kinda pricy. You'd also have the option for the front panel to be starfire for like 50 bucks, which IMO would be well worth it. I don't know how much you're looking to spend, but I'm eventually going to get a 240 cube and this will probably be where I get it from.

 

[superstein61]

Sent you a PM. I have an Oceanic stretch cube - about 2 years old that may fit your needs and measurements exactly

 

[bnmir]

That tank could work... PM sent!

Anyone have any experience drilling tanks?
What's better, drilling the back and adding an internal over overflow box, or drilling the bottom and building a full height overflow box? Is one quieter? The bottom drill is certainly neater plumbing.

How many holes could safely be made in a 24x18" pane?
Think two 1" bulkheads would handle enough flow to make the return pump the main source of circulation?

 

[cloakerpoked]

The thing you want to watch out for is a tempered bottom. Some smaller tanks still have tempered glass for the bottom (or even the sides) and if it is, you cannot temper it. I would check on the manufacteror website or call the manufactorer to find out whether it is or not. If you even try to drill tempered glass, you ruin the pane. As for holes, you should only need to make 2, and that should work fine. I would do the bottom of the tank if possible, as you said, it is neater plumbing. I don't know that one would inherantly be quieter...although an internal overflow box on the back does take up less tank space....

 

[bnmir]

more planning

more planning

Still looking for some feedback on overflows and circulation.

And of course, lighting.
I plan to keep some sps, and would like to keep a clam too.
150w DE & 2-24" PCs or
just T5s (4 or 6 tubes?)

Suggestions on a quiet return pump? From experience i can rule out little giant and quiet one. (can't afford red dragon, so don't bother)

 

[cloakerpoked]

mag drives aren't bad

 

[bnmir]

Anyone have a smallish sump for sale (or make them to sell?)

I'd like to have a refugium either in a section of the tank, or in a separate container beside/above the sump.

 

[cloakerpoked]

What kind of sump are you looking for. (Size, compartments, etc)

 

[bnmir]

tank is 24x18x18, so the sump will need to fit underneath.
I'm thinking overflow/skimmer section, refugium, and return pump area.

6 T5s sound about right for 18"?