Hi All :wavehand:
I am seriously thinking about getting a Reef drop off custom built. This tank is at least 6months off from being built so plenty of time to develop this.
I am want a pipe-fish, maybe seahorse tank. I will use the drop off area to grow macro-algae as a sort of in tank pod farm. This will help restrict the macro algae from taking over the tank. In New Zealand, we do not have many tropical species and the governments bio-security people are not interested in allowing more species into the country. The species we do have here are vigorous growers and need regular maintenance to keep them from taking over.
The original design was going to be 1200mm long x 800mm wide and 600mm deep before I saw the drop off concept.
I am now thinking going 500mm deep to 700mm deep at the drop off. The tank will be 800mm long until the drop off and the drop off will be 400mm long. So basically the same dimensions.
The stand will be made out of metal and wood. Unsure of the design yet but I have seen some really simple and smart designs on the inter-web.
I have read many posting from different forums about the drop off area collecting crud and potential flow issues. Feel free to comment and add any additional issues I will have probably missed.
Anyway the issues at hand. As mentioned I live in New Zealand and I have not seen a drop off tank here. That creates the problem of tank design. There are a couple of tank makers in my area but not a single one has made a drop off.
What I really need at this stage is pics, drawing, descriptions or how the glass is jointed at the drop off.
I will use sketch up (once I get better at it) to show the tank and stand design. The stand is not going to be that dissimilar to what has been designed before.
I am seriously thinking about getting a Reef drop off custom built. This tank is at least 6months off from being built so plenty of time to develop this.
I am want a pipe-fish, maybe seahorse tank. I will use the drop off area to grow macro-algae as a sort of in tank pod farm. This will help restrict the macro algae from taking over the tank. In New Zealand, we do not have many tropical species and the governments bio-security people are not interested in allowing more species into the country. The species we do have here are vigorous growers and need regular maintenance to keep them from taking over.
The original design was going to be 1200mm long x 800mm wide and 600mm deep before I saw the drop off concept.
I am now thinking going 500mm deep to 700mm deep at the drop off. The tank will be 800mm long until the drop off and the drop off will be 400mm long. So basically the same dimensions.
The stand will be made out of metal and wood. Unsure of the design yet but I have seen some really simple and smart designs on the inter-web.
I have read many posting from different forums about the drop off area collecting crud and potential flow issues. Feel free to comment and add any additional issues I will have probably missed.
- The return flow from the sump to the display tank will be housed in this area to help with some of the water movement issues. This will be plumbed in a manner which does not allow back-flow into the sump
- The Macro algae in the drop off will help mitigate some the crud/nutrient collection in this area and turn it to good use.
Anyway the issues at hand. As mentioned I live in New Zealand and I have not seen a drop off tank here. That creates the problem of tank design. There are a couple of tank makers in my area but not a single one has made a drop off.
What I really need at this stage is pics, drawing, descriptions or how the glass is jointed at the drop off.
I will use sketch up (once I get better at it) to show the tank and stand design. The stand is not going to be that dissimilar to what has been designed before.
