Self contained advanced reef tank possible?

[mmfish]

Is it possible to maintain an advanced reef ecosystem with evrything housed in the stand? I am planning a 125gal tank and want to keep everything in the stand, am I realistic?

 

[LEGENDARY_ENG]

add about 2 foot to each side of the stand lots of room under and on each side. stock stand is worthless no room

 

[Nanook]

[moved]

 

[GSMguy]

very possible if you keep it simple.

 

[luther1200]

Depends on what exactly you want to have in there.

 

[jenglish]

I guess that depends on what you mean by self contained and ecosystem. Can all the equipment fit under the stand? Yes if you build it right. If you are asking if you can setup a system that is a completely closed ecosystem requiring no maintenance then the answer is no. I think you are asking the first one but I wanted to be clear.

 

[ludnix]

All of my 120's equipment is inside the stand. The test kits and algae scrubbers and other misc cleaning are in a separate box though.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14761887#post14761887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
Depends on what exactly you want to have in there.

not really, i mean the size of the aquarium will dictate that more than being limited to keeping all the equipment in the sump...

 

[mmfish]

I mean all the equipment necessary for supporting a reef can fit in the stand? I plan on a sump, skimmer, calcium reactor, top-off container.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Topoff container is the hardest part IMO, anything small enough to fit in the stand only lasts a few days. Skimmer can go in the sump, reactor can go next to it. Don't forget about all the electrical, that takes up space too (especially ballasts).

 

[widmer]

I'm sorry but I've got to know - 30 years of experience? The original question feels more like it's based on 1 week's experience...:hmm5:

 

[mmfish]

Sure, when I first started w aquariums 30 years ago canister filters were state if the art. I ran a marine tank with only a canister filter. This is my 1st foray into "modern" reef keeping with my kids now going to college.

 

[tkeracer619]

My 360 has all its equipment other then water change water under the stand and RO under the sink. Make the stand taller, no need to go longer as your sump wont be the same size as your tank.

What I have under the tank...

6' 125g sump
Dual Chamber Calcium Reactor w/20lb bottle
Octopus DDNW-250 Skimmer
PM XL-1 Skimmer (behind tank)
Kalk Reactor
2x UV sterilizers
External Return Pumps
Electronics / Power Supplies
Media Reactors
Pile of random junk
Room for more junk when I need it.

 

[snorvich]

Ok, let me be a contrarian here. I recommend keeping all equipment in the basement. Makes life much easier. It does require a return pump that has sufficient head, however.

 

[Mouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14762231#post14762231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
not really, i mean the size of the aquarium will dictate that more than being limited to keeping all the equipment in the sump...

I would disagree on this, its the size of the stand that would determine if it would all fit. We just assume he wants the stand the same size as the tank

 

[GSMguy]

no, the size of the stand will dictate what equipment to buy not whether it will fit...


splitting Hairs, the FACT is that it can be done....

 

[LunarDDS]

The biggest problem is the calcium reactor and maintaining sump size. If you use an external skimmer and return pump you may be able to squeeze it. Make a shelf that would sit above the sump/refugium and put a water container there for the top off. If not then scrap the calcium reactor and use 2 part with dosing pumps. Will save room and still require minimal upkeep.

 

[luther1200]

I do think it entirely depends on what you want to have in there. If you don't need a cooler for exmple, that is a bulky piece of equipment. Also wheither or not you are going to manually dose CA/Alk, or go with a Ca reactor, or Kalk reactor, or a drip container, or a dosing pump from and ATO. Also if you are going to have an internal/external skimmer, or internal/external return pump. So depending on what exactly you want is the main factor IMO.

 

[GSMguy]

Problem solved; don't use a reactor, he can do 2 part dosing with a small dosing pump...

Calcium reactors are not the only way to keep all and CA stable.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Also keep in mind where you are going to mix up new saltwater for a water change.