Swoop's 300g Deep Dimension Build
- Thread starter Swoop
- Start date
KCMO Reefer
New member
Looks like sweet setup. Will be following the progress.
mcliffy2
New member
Reading into your plans a bit more, I see the aquatinics is only 14" wide...for a 36" wide tank I don't think this will be enough as T5s are fairly directional. Yes, the can cover a couple inches beyond their footprint (which makes it ok going with a unit that is a foot less in length than a tank), but I can almost gaurantee you'll want more front to back coverage than this. If you want to go all T5s, I think there is pretty much three options, the 10x80w ATI powermodule, the 10x80w or 12x80w Sfiligoi Stealth, or a Tek Retro. Out of those my strong preference would be for the powermodule: http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_504_561&products_id=3585
As for how to mount it, I've seen a number of people construct L shaped brackets from aluminum framing that attach to the stand and hang over the tank, and do the job quite nicely in addition to looking very stylish. Dig around a bit in the Elos forum and you'll find some threads showing how its done. In the long run, in my opinion, I think the work you'd put into this would definitely be offset by the cost savings of replacing 10 bulbs vs. 28 bulbs (as you'd likely upgrade to two 6' Aquatinics). Not to mention one powermodule is less expensive than 2 Aquatinics up front, looks far more attractive (especially with 2 units), and would provide you easier access (moving 2 units around to work on the tank would be a pain).
earthboy17
New member
Subscribing. Good stuff.
As you are going into the winter months, why don't you go ahead and get it wet, get it cycling, and then save up and install the dehumidifier in the spring when you may start to need it? Seems like God's giving you a 5 month head start with the cooler weather; take advantage of it!!
Good luck on everything!
As you are going into the winter months, why don't you go ahead and get it wet, get it cycling, and then save up and install the dehumidifier in the spring when you may start to need it? Seems like God's giving you a 5 month head start with the cooler weather; take advantage of it!!
Good luck on everything!
Tagging along to see how the lighting works out... fine looking tank.
A hint before you add water. Check the level on your tank with a six foot long level instead of that little two foot model. You might be surprised that you not as level as you would like... JME.
LL
A hint before you add water. Check the level on your tank with a six foot long level instead of that little two foot model. You might be surprised that you not as level as you would like... JME.
LL
Sardaukar
Premium Member
I agree with the 5' fixture on the 6' tank. Not only will it save you money, but it will provide you with some more flexibility. A slightly darker area on the ends could let you keep some less light demanding critters there and don't underestimate the power of T-5's - those things are beasts when it comes to output.
I also like the idea of non symmetrical rockwork. With tank that long and deep, I think I'd make one massive cone shaped island of rock on side half the tank and a few smaller formations on the other side. Its just a more interesting layout than a symmetrical cove or matching piles imo. Mega jealous of the fish options you will have with that much volume. Mmmmm angels....
I also like the idea of non symmetrical rockwork. With tank that long and deep, I think I'd make one massive cone shaped island of rock on side half the tank and a few smaller formations on the other side. Its just a more interesting layout than a symmetrical cove or matching piles imo. Mega jealous of the fish options you will have with that much volume. Mmmmm angels....
Don't worry it was checked with a 6ft level and a 5ft level. The 2ft level in a prior pic was just to visually demonstrate the extra foot of depth.
Removed the freshwater Saturday so now it's empty and clean and ready for the next steps.
Hope to have my 400lbs of dryrock from TampabaySaltwater in the next week or two and then I can begin to aquascape and post pics for feedback.
I was thinking of running the tank without a canopy however the wife informed me on Saturday that I had to have a canopy. So canopy has been ordered.
I emailed Aquactinics late last week asking about how their Constellation fixture would fare with a 36" deep tank. Tom from Aquactinics said that the Constellation is designed for a 30" deep tank if you set it right on top of the tank, he also said that if I elevate the fixture approx 3" that I would get the additional 6" of coverage. I'm assuming that the tank standoffs they sell for that fixture will elevate it enough.
Anyway now just waiting on their new T5 fixture with LED moonlights before I pull the trigger.
My 7 year old wants a Watchman Goby in the tank.
mcliffy2
New member
I think there is some confusion here...when I'm talking about 36" being the problem...I'm talking about the width (front to back), not depth (top to bottom). From Tom's answer, I'm fairly sure he is talking about a 36" tall tank, and yours is 27" tall (i.e. deep). I'm not sure why people use depth for width and height, but end of the day, the aquatinics won't cover a 36" wide tank, which is why I'm saying you'll definitely end up wanting two. It sounds like you really like the Aquatinics fixture, but IMO it just isn't the right fixture for your setup. You'll need two of them which won't look great and will make maintenance difficult, and you'll be replacing 28 bulbs every nine months. The ideal setup is really 10x80w or 12x80w IMO.
While there might be confusion somewhere, the email between myself and Tom from Aquactinics contained no confusion. I clearly stated to him the dimensions of my tank and indicated that it was 36" from front to back.
Tom stated that raising the fixture 3inches off the tank will get me the 36" of coverage, clearly he is referring to front to back coverage as raising the fixture wouldn't increase the coverage from top to bottom.
I do appreciate your input and suggestions and the input and suggestions of everyone who has posted, please keep them coming as I read everyone of them and consider them all and how they may or may not work with what I am trying to acomplish.
thejuggernaut
Member
It's gonna be really nice. This tank is my favorite sized production tank. The 36' width really opens it up.
mcliffy2
New member
What kind of corals are you planning to keep? From everything I've heard Tom makes a good product and Aquatinics are reputable, but he is working within the realm of products they offer, which aren't designed for a tank like yours. Based on my experience and the experience of others, the PAR drops off significantly out from under the fixtures, which is fine for LPS and softies, but if you are planning an SPS dominated tank then this won't work. So I guess it is subjective, depending on what you want to keep? If you are thinking SPS dominated, head over to the SPS forum and ask all the T5 folks over there for a second opinion.
Well made the 2 and 1/2 hour trip to Tampa today to pickup 400lbs of Dry Rock from TampaBaySaltwater. Man o man did Richard hook me up with some nice rock.
With input from my wife and my son we aquascaped the tank. We like the way it turned out. Took the suggestions of people who posted earlier in this thread and tried to not make it symetrical. I think we did okay. This rock really really stacks and sticks together well. Not a single piece of plastic rod or a bit of glue was used and it is really really stable.
I imagine once I get 360 or so pounds of sand around the rock and on the bottom it will be even more stable.
Here are some pics. Lemme know what ya think and if your looking for dry rock, TampaBaySaltwater comes highly recommended.
I will also add that it looks alot better in person. These pics with the reflections and such really don't do it justice.
With input from my wife and my son we aquascaped the tank. We like the way it turned out. Took the suggestions of people who posted earlier in this thread and tried to not make it symetrical. I think we did okay. This rock really really stacks and sticks together well. Not a single piece of plastic rod or a bit of glue was used and it is really really stable.
I imagine once I get 360 or so pounds of sand around the rock and on the bottom it will be even more stable.
Here are some pics. Lemme know what ya think and if your looking for dry rock, TampaBaySaltwater comes highly recommended.
I will also add that it looks alot better in person. These pics with the reflections and such really don't do it justice.
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I do plan on keeping SPS. Couple of things to note after my aquascaping. Actual inside dimensions of the tank are 34" front to back.
My rockwork is 24" front to back. Have space behind the rock and in front of the rock for a nice sand area that runs the length of the tank. Given that, if I center the Aquactinics fixture over the actual rock work then I think I would have adequate light coverage for SPS that is positioned on the reef itself. If the logic is sound for using a 5ft fixture on a 6ft tank, then that logic I would think would also be sound for using a fixture designed for a 30" front to back tank on a 36" tank. Or am I missing something.
However with that said, I also picked up my canopy today. I'm going to take a look at how and where the top is hinged to see if I could somehow hang the ATI fixture that you linked me inside the canopy.
Still lots to do and think about. Thanks for all the knowledge Cliffy.
I went back and forth and back and forth about eggcrate or even a sheet of plexi. I was told by several people with experience that it wasen't necessary, that the tank and the glass were designed to handle the weight.
I had about 70 lbs in my 46 bow with alot thinner bottom and set the rock right on the glass and had no issues.
Besides, I would hope Marineland would be smart enough to include a warning telling owners to make sure to use something on the bottom to distribute the weight more.
I've put my faith in Marineland, my past experience with a smaller tank and the input of several people who have been in the hobby for a long time, so hopefully I have no issues.
My biggest issue atm is trying to decide what kind of substrate. :eek2: Lots to choose from.
I had about 70 lbs in my 46 bow with alot thinner bottom and set the rock right on the glass and had no issues.
Besides, I would hope Marineland would be smart enough to include a warning telling owners to make sure to use something on the bottom to distribute the weight more.
I've put my faith in Marineland, my past experience with a smaller tank and the input of several people who have been in the hobby for a long time, so hopefully I have no issues.
My biggest issue atm is trying to decide what kind of substrate. :eek2: Lots to choose from.
OwNeD162
Member
I think you should be pretty right, plus it means no ugly egg crate will show up underneath the sand, that's the only thing that bugs me about mine...
I have AragAlive Bahamas Oolite. Beautiful white colour, and grains that are small enough for sand sifters, but not so small that they never settle
I have AragAlive Bahamas Oolite. Beautiful white colour, and grains that are small enough for sand sifters, but not so small that they never settle
