ClownsRCoo
New member
Hello All,
I currently have a standard 90g that has been running for 6 months now and I already cant stop thinking of going bigger and better. Its just a standard corner overflow with 2 holes drilled in it.
What I dont like about it is the fact that it was only drilled for 2 holes which means I wasnt able to run a clean looking herbie or bean animal drain while utilizing the overflow section to house it all. I recently converted it to a herbie style using both drilled holes as drains and running braided viynl tubing up and over the back of the tank finished off with loc line fittings. It definately solved the loud drain problem but took away from the asthetic apeal of the tank I think.
Secondly, I am just plain out of room on this tank. The stand is jammed packed and I wish I would have built it much larger than I did.
Finally, I now think I would prefer a deeper (Front to back) tank than a longer one so that I have a much bigger variety of aquascaping i can do.
The two sizes I am thinking would be either a 187g (60x30x24) or a 224g (72x30x24).
I live in Texas so it gets hot in the summers and I am willing to keep my house a little cooler if needed than having to buy a chiller. The only location for the tank I have is in the center of the house and a chiller just wont work for my set up. I hear they are loud and produce a lot of heat and Ill have nowhere to vent that. Im also trying to get the big tank feel without having to take out a second mortgage to afford all of the equipment it will require. Since the tank is in the living room I need it as quiet as possible. Those are my goals and I would really appreciate all of your help in helping me come up with the perfect design that works for me.
Here are some specs and features I am thinking I would want for the tank. Please look them over and give me some feedback on them. My current 90 is the biggest tank Ive ever had so something this size is definately new to me.
Tank Size
60 x 30 x 24
or
72 x 30 x 24
Tank Material
Really only interested in glass
Possible Builders
Reef Savvy
Miracles
Coast to Coast
Lee Mar
Overflow Type
Im thinking of going with an external coast to coast style. I like the idea of nothing being visible inside the tank and keeping the clean look of all solid walls. Plus I hear the surface skimming ability with C2C is awesome.
Plumbing Type
Either Herbie or Bean Animal
Number of Returns
2- each with their own pump
Bracing Type
I dont know if I want eurobracing or maybe rimless if you can get them that big. Im not a fan of the normal plastic bracing I have now.
I would like to eventually design an antomatic water change system on the tank. WIll the drain for those usually get plumbed into a sump or the DT? Any input on a efficient design for this system would be appreciated.
Lighting
I currently have 2 G3 Radions but will probably switch to a T5 setup for this tank due to the high cost of needing to buy more Radion fixtures vs the reward for them. I like the ATI Hybrid fixtures. Probably go with an 8 bulb set up. Ill use the radions on my frag tank build that I will be doing.
Flow
I have 2 MP40s now that I think I can use on the back wall of this tank and maybe add 2 MP60's as well for each side. For the return pump Ill need some suggestions for that. For this big of a tank are submersible pumps pretty much out of the question? I dont mind doing an external but worry about the noise from them. Like I said this is in my living room and I want it as quiet as possible.
Sump
Ill probably use an AIO design that I came up with that will house a dual filter sock area, large skimmer chamber, fuge for Chaeto, Pump return area, ATO water section, 2 part dosing containers. Im hoping to maximize the space need for a sump. I currently have it all seperate and feel that i waste too much precious space with all seperate containers and devices.
Filtration
Im only relying now on my LR, Small amounts of GFO in my Avast Marine Reactor, and Chaeto. I feel that I can keep the same setup in the new tank and use the same equipment as well.
Dosing
Im using a bubble magus dosing pump for my 2 part dosing system but am not really impressed with the accuracy of that pump. I find it doesnt get very close at all to dosing what it says its dosing. Ill use it on my frag tank setup. Im open for suggestions for a new dosing pump. Im thinking either Vertex Libra or even the Pacific Sun Kore 5th doser which looks cool.
Controller
Ill use my full apex system i have now for this set up.
Skimmer
Ill def need to upgrade this and have not been happy with my bubble magus curve 5 anyway. Ill keep it for the frag tank as well. Im thinking of maybe an AquaMaxx EM300 or AM350, a ReefDynamics Skimmer, or LifeReef System. Not sure.
Please list your oppinions on my equipement list and feel free to give me some of your must haves that you cant live without.
I appreciate all of your help and oppinions.
Thanks,
I currently have a standard 90g that has been running for 6 months now and I already cant stop thinking of going bigger and better. Its just a standard corner overflow with 2 holes drilled in it.
What I dont like about it is the fact that it was only drilled for 2 holes which means I wasnt able to run a clean looking herbie or bean animal drain while utilizing the overflow section to house it all. I recently converted it to a herbie style using both drilled holes as drains and running braided viynl tubing up and over the back of the tank finished off with loc line fittings. It definately solved the loud drain problem but took away from the asthetic apeal of the tank I think.
Secondly, I am just plain out of room on this tank. The stand is jammed packed and I wish I would have built it much larger than I did.
Finally, I now think I would prefer a deeper (Front to back) tank than a longer one so that I have a much bigger variety of aquascaping i can do.
The two sizes I am thinking would be either a 187g (60x30x24) or a 224g (72x30x24).
I live in Texas so it gets hot in the summers and I am willing to keep my house a little cooler if needed than having to buy a chiller. The only location for the tank I have is in the center of the house and a chiller just wont work for my set up. I hear they are loud and produce a lot of heat and Ill have nowhere to vent that. Im also trying to get the big tank feel without having to take out a second mortgage to afford all of the equipment it will require. Since the tank is in the living room I need it as quiet as possible. Those are my goals and I would really appreciate all of your help in helping me come up with the perfect design that works for me.
Here are some specs and features I am thinking I would want for the tank. Please look them over and give me some feedback on them. My current 90 is the biggest tank Ive ever had so something this size is definately new to me.
Tank Size
60 x 30 x 24
or
72 x 30 x 24
Tank Material
Really only interested in glass
Possible Builders
Reef Savvy
Miracles
Coast to Coast
Lee Mar
Overflow Type
Im thinking of going with an external coast to coast style. I like the idea of nothing being visible inside the tank and keeping the clean look of all solid walls. Plus I hear the surface skimming ability with C2C is awesome.
Plumbing Type
Either Herbie or Bean Animal
Number of Returns
2- each with their own pump
Bracing Type
I dont know if I want eurobracing or maybe rimless if you can get them that big. Im not a fan of the normal plastic bracing I have now.
I would like to eventually design an antomatic water change system on the tank. WIll the drain for those usually get plumbed into a sump or the DT? Any input on a efficient design for this system would be appreciated.
Lighting
I currently have 2 G3 Radions but will probably switch to a T5 setup for this tank due to the high cost of needing to buy more Radion fixtures vs the reward for them. I like the ATI Hybrid fixtures. Probably go with an 8 bulb set up. Ill use the radions on my frag tank build that I will be doing.
Flow
I have 2 MP40s now that I think I can use on the back wall of this tank and maybe add 2 MP60's as well for each side. For the return pump Ill need some suggestions for that. For this big of a tank are submersible pumps pretty much out of the question? I dont mind doing an external but worry about the noise from them. Like I said this is in my living room and I want it as quiet as possible.
Sump
Ill probably use an AIO design that I came up with that will house a dual filter sock area, large skimmer chamber, fuge for Chaeto, Pump return area, ATO water section, 2 part dosing containers. Im hoping to maximize the space need for a sump. I currently have it all seperate and feel that i waste too much precious space with all seperate containers and devices.
Filtration
Im only relying now on my LR, Small amounts of GFO in my Avast Marine Reactor, and Chaeto. I feel that I can keep the same setup in the new tank and use the same equipment as well.
Dosing
Im using a bubble magus dosing pump for my 2 part dosing system but am not really impressed with the accuracy of that pump. I find it doesnt get very close at all to dosing what it says its dosing. Ill use it on my frag tank setup. Im open for suggestions for a new dosing pump. Im thinking either Vertex Libra or even the Pacific Sun Kore 5th doser which looks cool.
Controller
Ill use my full apex system i have now for this set up.
Skimmer
Ill def need to upgrade this and have not been happy with my bubble magus curve 5 anyway. Ill keep it for the frag tank as well. Im thinking of maybe an AquaMaxx EM300 or AM350, a ReefDynamics Skimmer, or LifeReef System. Not sure.
Please list your oppinions on my equipement list and feel free to give me some of your must haves that you cant live without.
I appreciate all of your help and oppinions.
Thanks,
