The start of my 300Gal starfire SPS tank

[Jar*Head]

Canarygirl, I am also using metal stand (Iron) on my new setup 600g display. I have ask my welder about the aluminum stand before, beside it will cost much more it is not as strong as Iron. Most metal stand has powder coating or other material to prevent rust. As for the weight, i don't think it is significant different to justify the cost .

 

[makoJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11999629#post11999629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
Brian, I thought the Rowalith C+ came with Mag. How do you run ZeoMag with Rowalith C+?

I was unaware that Rowalith C+ comes with Mag but if it does its not enough for my tank. The zeo mag is just small pieces of dolomite so I just toss them into the reactor with the other media.

 

[makoJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11999657#post11999657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canarygirl
I have a question about your stand. You said it was iron? What made you choose iron as opposed to steel or aluminum? I would think that iron would be problematic (weight, rust, etc.)

thankyou

Its iron and was built by A.G.E. they also gave me a full warranty on the tank if I used their stand. Its powder coated so no rust problems. Weight was not really a problem either.

 

[makoJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11999772#post11999772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
Canarygirl, I am also using metal stand (Iron) on my new setup 600g display. I have ask my welder about the aluminum stand before, beside it will cost much more it is not as strong as Iron. Most metal stand has powder coating or other material to prevent rust. As for the weight, i don't think it is significant different to justify the cost .

:thumbsup:

 

[Jar*Head]

Talking about the weight, my stand is made out of 4x4 tube. The government mover going to hate me for all the stuff that they have to pack.

Did they use 2x2 square tube on your stand Brian?

 

[makoJ]

I think its 2x2 tube, 4x4 is really going to be heavy lol

 

[Canarygirl]

I am in the process of spec-ing out an A.G.E. tank for myself, hence the questions about the stand construction.

My biggest head-scratcher is that I would like a peninsula style tank and I wonder how to create "really good flow" at the boot-end of the tank and still maintain that clean visual look. But I need to start my own thread for that discussion!

 

[makoJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12000513#post12000513 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canarygirl
I am in the process of spec-ing out an A.G.E. tank for myself, hence the questions about the stand construction.

My biggest head-scratcher is that I would like a peninsula style tank and I wonder how to create "really good flow" at the boot-end of the tank and still maintain that clean visual look. But I need to start my own thread for that discussion!

a closed loop would be one way and hide the nozzles with rocks to keep it clean looking. You can grow zoo's or other coral on the rocks around the nozzles and it will help to camouflage them

 

[Kinetic]

you know how people make fake rock? doing that to nozzles would work really nice too.

just make sure it's doable to maintain the nozzles (if they get clogged or need to be replaced).

 

[makoJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12001029#post12001029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kinetic
you know how people make fake rock? doing that to nozzles would work really nice too.

just make sure it's doable to maintain the nozzles (if they get clogged or need to be replaced).

very true you don't want to block the nozzle where you couldn't get to it if something happened. But the fake rock or drilled rock would work.

 

[Canarygirl]

Yeah, I was thinking that the closed loop would be the only way.

My local aquarium tech will have a cow if I put bulkheads in the bottom of my tank though....he says they are guaranteed to leak at some point. It may be two years, maybe even ten, but they're gonna leak. That being said, I don't see any other way to create the look I want.

Sorry to take your thread off track!

 

[KingfishJohn]

Canarygirl in every other situation I would absolutely agree with your aquarium tech. However, with the hex bulkhead countersunk into the PVC bottom, the seal is as perfect as you can imagine. I really don't see Brian's closed loop leaking unless something big were to happen.

John

PS: Knock on wood :lol:

 

[jnarowe]

And I can help you out Jan if you don't want to use bulkheads.

 

[Los]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12007804#post12007804 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canarygirl
Yeah, I was thinking that the closed loop would be the only way.

My local aquarium tech will have a cow if I put bulkheads in the bottom of my tank though....he says they are guaranteed to leak at some point. It may be two years, maybe even ten, but they're gonna leak. That being said, I don't see any other way to create the look I want.

Sorry to take your thread off track!

Canarygirl. Honestly, on every subject you can find experts giving multiple - sometimes contradictory - opinions. I researched this subject extensively. I also really trust the advice of the folks who make aquariums. I really don't believe this is an issue. I am having 10 holes drilled in the bottom of my tank. See the CAD drawings at:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1335781

As long as you obey the rule described in the thread of 3xdiameter of holes and then you temper the glass, I think you are OK, but definitely check with the manufacturer first.

Cheers,

Los

 

[jnarowe]

better yet, get a tank with a PVC bottom and don't worry about tempering, dropping rocks etc. I don't even know why tanks are still being built with glass bottoms!

 

[Canarygirl]

However, with the hex bulkhead countersunk into the PVC bottom, the seal is as perfect as you can imagine.

Hmmm...I will definitely do some research on this. It would be my first choice if this bears out to be true.

Canarygirl. Honestly, on every subject you can find experts giving multiple - sometimes contradictory - opinions.

I know. I was hoping to get some opinions here that would contradict my aquarium tech (much as I love the guy).

And I can help you out Jan if you don't want to use bulkheads.

Jonathan, I hope to use a combo of bulkheads plus other flow-enhancers as I really want to achieve that "excellent random flow" objective. So I'll definitely be picking your brain. (And pvc bottom is on the menu.)

 

[jnarowe]

You can go over the top with a closed loop as well. No reason why it "has" to be through the bottom. I have an even better idea:

You could build a tank with a false back that incorporates a coast-to-coast overflow, a couple of wave boxes, and piping going down and through bulkheads in the false wall for a closed loop to keep the bottom clean. This will be the cornerstone of my next tank.

 

[Canarygirl]

....moving my tank design discussion out of this thread...

 

[ClownReef®]

TANK OF THE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!

 

[Rickyrooz1]

I just saw it too. Congratulations!