New tank setup. Will this work??

[gavij012379]

Hi

I am thinking of ordering a custom tank. It will be 25 X 25 X 18(high) with a 5 X 5 overflow in the center. This way I will have about 10 inches on each side and the tank will be viewable from all side. I actually wanted it to be a round tank but I figure it will cost a lot more than square. Also I am thinking of making my own canopy and stand to save cost which will be easier if it is square. I am definately not a good carpenter.

The only problem I see is with lighting. I definately want MH at least on one of the four side, which will probably have more SPS in the future and be the show side. I am thinking of putting either 36 or 55 watt pc on the other 3 sides. The metal halide side will be lot brighter than the other side this way. I am afraid if it will look odd this way and I will have to go all metal halide or pc. I definately want MH but I am afraid if I can afford the extra cost and electric bill if I put 4 MH bulbs.

I had a 100 gallon tank which I had to sell when I moved to Texas. I spend a lot of money in that and I thought I was done with this hobby till I am done with my study to save money but I can't stop thinking about getting a tank. So I am asking for your suggestion so I get it right the first time and don't spend more than I have to. I like this setup because the tank is quite big too and will give a lot of freedom in aquascaping. And it will have natural different intensity light zone to put the corals and the fishes don't have to see each other all the time so less aggressiveness. I plan to put 2 percula clown, 1 flame angel, a small wrasse(exquisite wrasse, if i can get my hands on it), some chromis and maybe a yellow tang for my wife. Please feel free to give any feedback and any other drawback I missed with this setup.

Sorry for the length and thanks a lot for sharing ur thoughts.

 

[rhino509]

i personally would use 2 halides and 2(whatever you choose.put two of the halides next to each other,and the other 2 next to each other,that way youll get kind of a dark and bright side of the tank.just my opinion though,good luck with your choice

 

[Scuba_Steve]

What? no no no, a single metal halide throws down optimal light in a 24x24" footprint. You only need one. I had almost the exact same tank. I actually will be selling it when I get home, but that is quite some time from now. It is a great size for a single halide sps/lps/clam setup because it is so shallow and llight hits the bottom perfect. I will put up some tank pics for you. I used 2x55w compact florescent actinics, and a 250w halide on mine. The halide goes right in the center, the pcs go either front and back, or left and right, doesnt really matter. You actually dont even need the pcs if you went with a 20k halide as you will have plenty of wattage, but I liked the morning/evening effect.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

There it is.
<a href='http://server5.theimagehosting.com/album.php?album=2232' title=''>old 38g cube</a>

 

[gavij012379]

Thanks for sharing your pic with me scuba-steve1 but your tank is different from mine because I am planning to put my overflow right in the center. so if I just put a halide in the center it will shine on the overflow. Any specific reason why you went with your own custom tank(cube) or does some manufacturer makes this. I'd not mind getting my hand on yours but...............n Good luck out there. Take care.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

I had it built to my specs from glasscages. I just wanted the best cube for sps around that size. It fits a mh footprint perfectly, and is shallow, but tall enough to aquascape. I didnt have the easiest time aquascaping though, and i imagine it would be harder with a center overflow. Could you use a single halide, and just use an overflow cover? I really dont know how a center overflow would block light with a halide directly over it, but i imagine you would waste a lot of light. T5 might work better for you. 3 sets of 2, the mid would lose some because of the overflow, but it would still illuminate the sides well.

 

[techigirl78]

I agree with Steve. I think one metal halide with some sort of cover over the overflow would work. Even if you put the MH off to the side, a great deal of light would get into the overflow.