Proceeding with ~200 gallon custom tank

[ReefEnabler]

Hey everybody,
Last week I asked for some opinions on overflows, lighting and circulation. Finally narrowed everything down and got an order in for my custom tank.

It will be constructed and plumbed by Aquariums For You, and come with the following components:
72x24x30
Refugia sump
ASM G3 Skimmer
Return Pump Sequence Barracuda
Peltech 900
MTC Mini Cal
OceansMotions 4-way Closed loop with Sequence Dart 3600gph
3x250w Metal Halide 10k Bulb PFO Pendant
2x60” IceCap VHO
RO/DI 100GPD Unit with AutoShut

I decided to draw a custom shape for the overflow. i wanted a coast-to-coast in-tank overflow, but didn't want to sacrafice 6" of tank width all the way across the back, so the overflow will only be 3" wide in the middle. Also decided to go toothless!

The only thing not fully planned yet is the placement of the 4 returns and 1 drain for the Closed Loop OceansMotions unit. We're leaving part of the overflow adjustable in case we want all return bulkheads to go in the corners.

I am going to be using handi-foam to create fake rocks on the acrylic back panel, so the CL pipes/returns can go pretty much anywhere. Anybody have good ideas for that?

Also, still have not decided on which type of drum to get:
Version 1 - has outlets running sequentially, (ie) 1, 2, 3 , 4, repeated.

Version 2 - will give a delayed sequence (ie) 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 3 & 4, 4 & 1, repeated.

Version 3 - has them opposed (ie) 1 & 3, 4 & 2, repeated. (Our best selling version)

Version 4 - Designed for use with our Revolutions units. Water is sent to 3 outlets at the same time.
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The tank is going to have alot of Live Rock stacked up in arches, a few of them probably resting on the back 'fake rocks'

Estimated construction time is ~3 months, so hopefully I will get the tank in January!

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[whosinpower]

I'm just wondering....has a person ever done a coast to coast externally instead of inside the tank?

 

[ReefEnabler]

I saw a couple threads doing that actually.

I considered it in earnest, but decided against it for aesthetic reasons. For overflows on the back, your piping needs to come out the back of the tank (aka, bottom of the back overflow), which means the tank will have to be at least 5 inches from the wall. I'd probably want to get some kind of cover to hide that, and it wouldn't be centered over the stand anymore.

My dining room is already of somewhat limited space, and it already has 2" thick trim running the parimeter at about the top of the stand, so the tank is already going to be about 3 inches from the wall. I just prefer the clean design of having everything in the tank since it prevents me from having to make the stand and tank further from the wall than it already has to be.

 

[whosinpower]

I see. If the tank was a inwall design with a fishroom behind - then external coast to coast would be more of an option for you.

Is this going to be a reeftank - or FOWLR?

 

[whosinpower]

Disregard last question - I see your lighting plans now....you are planning a reef.

The only thing I would do differently - is switch the size to 30 inches wide and 24 high. Gives you more space for aquascaping and is a bit easier to light. Personally I would have a difficulty with a 30 inch deep tank - but that is because I am so vertically challenged - I am SHORT!

I like the coast to coast overflow concept - no teeth eh - how are you going to keep out critters from getting into your overflow? Maybe it does not matter....??!!!????

It is funny - I have been planning and setting up a reeftank and initially bought a used tank from someone - but I did not like the width of the tank (12 inches), so I opted for a 14 inch, and then that grew to an 18 inch wide tank. This is what I have now, and I wish is was wider. Even though I am still cycling - I wish it was wider.

 

[ReefEnabler]

haha I understand the gravitational pull of large tanks on the willpower of your mind

I too was only going to get an 18" wide tank when I first started looking. Then I started researching overflows and wanted to go coast-to-coast, but wasn't willing to basically have a 12" wide aquarium.

I originally had my dining table closer to the aquarium area, which was giving me the tough size restrictions of 18" width. I shifted some furniture around and that's what opened up enough space for me to get a 24" wide tank. Believe me, if there was any more room in my tiny little dining room I would put it to good use I am trying to leave room for for people to be able to actually stand in front without their butts being on my dining table, and for maintenance ladders (I'm only 5'9" and the top of the tank is 5', then 2' water depth). And I just love the way taller tanks look. This will be great for some of my live rock arches. I have been stacking them in my head already I'm an environment artist so I am going to heavily obsess over the aquascaping part. I think I will relish the cycling process as a time for me to perfect the landscape without ****ing off the fish.

WRT the surface area ratio, I also think that skimming the top layer of water (with toothless) will help keep the top layer in motion and also prevent any film from forming.... ever. It is my hope that this will improve the exchange of gasses since the top layer will constantly be replenished. I could be simply hoping though Can anybody confirm if it helps in that regard?

To block fishes I will probably just use gutter guard. I am going to try it without at first. The overflow is long enough that the layer of water might be super thin (that's what I am hoping). If not it will be easy to add the gutter guard and/or egg crate guard.

 

[whosinpower]

What is on the other side of the wall you were planning on putting the tank? hehehe

I saw a design here the other night where the tank was built into the wall - but jutted out about 12 inches - to give three sides viewing from the front side instead of being flush to the wall. Looked awesome!

I'd be looking at doing that if I could....however the wallet shrinks pretty darned fast with this hobby - and mine is feeling anorexic right now - even before livestock!

I've switched my rock piles about three times already - even though tank is cycling only 10 days. I too love arches, interesting shapes and rock shelves.