Tank Suggestions

[wheels]

hiya folks,

I have been in the freshwater game for about 10yrs and I am finally taking the plunge into the reef tank scene.

Currently I have a 6Ft X 2FT X2FT tank with African cics in it. We are having a house built and I am going pull this tank down and have it put into the wall.

The tank is going into a wall that divides two rooms and it will be visible from both sides. I think this is a cool idea but poses a few problems for me.
A major one being I cannot have anything under the tank due to framing and support that will be there to hold the tank.
What I have discussed with the builder is making a cut-out area within the wall to one side of the tank kinda of like a hidden shelf that I can store filtration equipment.

I am just after some ideas on possible methods of filtration and setup for this tank.. I plan on having LR, LS corals fish etc .

This is the current filtration equipment I have for my freshwater that i will hopefully be able to reuse is:
2 X EHEIM canister filters
1XPowerHead



Any Ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[wheels]

anyone?

 

[jer77]

Hey wheels,

[welcome]

Welcome to the saltwater world. First off I have some questions. Is your tank drilled with overflows or not? Do you plan on having a sump? How much room will you have under the tank? Why can't they support it well enough so that a sump can be used? The sump could be on another floor or in another room if possible too. Your going to need more powerheads and your return pump should only be around 700gph if you get a sump. You can still use the canister filters with just carbon or phosphate absorbtion media and sponges, but make sure you don't use any biological filter media.

 

[wheels]

hi jer77,

thanks for your reply.
The tank isnt drilled for overflows and at this stage I will not be able to have sump under the tank. basically the part the builder can not do is provide some form of access to under the tank because of the bracing etc for holding the tank will not allow for doors etc.

because of the location of this wall ( in between a lounge and a bar/entertainment room) there is no other room near by where it could go, well unless it went outside.

will I be inendated with problems if I only run 2 Canisters and Skimmer? how many powerheads will be needed?

 

[Village Idiot]

I've seen lots of room divider tanks with access underneath. Sounds like your builder doesn't want to put the time into making it for you.

 

[cdbias2]

I just installed a 125g and spanned the entire length with no middle support. I spanned 6'-8". I had existing columns this far apart and anchored each end to them. I dont even have legs on the sides.
Use 2x12's and glue/screw(lots) each side of them with 3/4 plywood. The 2x12's wont/cant flex or bow in a plywood sandwich.
If I had it to do over and with the price of wood,hardware, primer and paint. I would go with a welded steel stand. It would also be easier to move if you ever sell the house.

 

[wheels]

thanks for the replies guys, I may have to have it out with my builder and get it done right

 

[stuccodude]

village is 100% correct you need to pay the builders foreman a 100 spot to hook it up and i would buy a tank that is drilled in the bottom, ive seen this set up before and done right looks killer, good luck!

 

[wheels]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10049046#post10049046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdbias2
I just installed a 125g and spanned the entire length with no middle support. I spanned 6'-8". I had existing columns this far apart and anchored each end to them. I dont even have legs on the sides.
Use 2x12's and glue/screw(lots) each side of them with 3/4 plywood. The 2x12's wont/cant flex or bow in a plywood sandwich.
If I had it to do over and with the price of wood,hardware, primer and paint. I would go with a welded steel stand. It would also be easier to move if you ever sell the house.

do you have any pics of this?

 

[Scuba_Steve]

I would also go reef ready and can the canisters. You can keep one to run carbon every now and then. Look into closed loops also. For that size tank you will need lots of flow. Powerheads instead of closed loop youll need a few big ones. tunzes, korilias, or maximods. Just to prepare you, not discourage as this is a dream size tank for many of us, in the end before corals if donr right this will cost you 3-6 grand for 180g. But in the end you will have a tank that can accommodate most fish in this hobby, and the upgrade bug wont bite you as bad. I wish I could swing the budget for a 180.........

 

[wheels]

thanks scuba_steve...i am hoping to do it right the first time.
have a lot of reading ahead of me