Sugestions on tank design

[Charlies_Reef]

In short, I have been a reefer for a few years. I have been following many posts here on Reef Central (RC) for a very long time. Many of which I wish to attempt to duplicate.

I started with a nano size aquarium. My interest in the hobby quickly grew, so I bought a larger aquarium, (my current aquarium 48x29x18 ~105 gallon). Actually I bought it for my now wife, whom I was attempting to gain her interest in the hobby. Unfortunately, it is just too tall for my liking.

I have received a lot of great experience through books, articles from Reef keeping, RC, and Rob M..

Now is is time for me to make the leap to a much larger scale project. I'm looking to see what people have experienced and from which, suggestions could be made. After upgrading to a larger aquarium and I will start upgrading my equipment.

Currently I have: a 48"250hqi Maristar fixture, a small Octopus recirculating skimmer, Ehiem 1260 return pump.
A lot of other equipment, but no need to go on here.

The tank manufacturer which I will be going with will likely be Lee Mar. Due to certain specifications I will be wanting in my design, other tank manufacturers are just too far out of my price range.

The tank will be:

-- Glass
-- Eurobraced
-- 24"deep.
-- Three Side Starfire
-- Diamond edges
-- Back adhesive silicone

The tank will have:

-- Stand and Canopy
-- MH lighting with supplemental lighting
-- Tunze internal pumps

Other specifications are undetermined, however, I have recently learned that Lee Mar will not build a 36" wide eurobraced tank. Therefore, I'm leaning towards 30" wide tank.

Here are two tank designs made to scale on Google sketchup. The only advantage of the 187 design is the possibility of a peninsula build. I have placed overflows in various locations with three 1" holes. Nothing is concrete yet. I can not make up my mind. The number and size of holes, and their locations. The 224 has additional holes in the eurobracing for return lines.

Suggestions? Comments?

 

[Charlies_Reef]

So after great deliberation I have decided. I will be pulling the trigger on this design. I will submit the sketch to John at YR and wait to hear if it is a go. I have

changed the holes behind the overflow to 1 1/2". My thought in this design was to add a 2" hole in the middle of the tank to aid in water changes and/or future

closed loop. Not sure on this, but I added it in this sketch.



I was thinking of 4" eurobracing. Does anyone have bulkheads mounted in there glass eurobracing? If so what size? If not how big is the eurobracing, and what

size bulkhead is mounted?



Thanks, Rob, Mark and Dan

 

[Underwaterparadise]

Looks good Aaron! I belive it is the same demensions as John's old 300g he had in the store.

I have seen a few people drill holes in the bracing for bulkheads but most end up never using them.

 

[DanW]

I like it Aaron. Please keep us apprised on your progress. Your going to have a lot of room to work with.