timfederwitz
New member
Hey All! It's been too long since I've posted on RC, but I have been lurking in the shadows now and again.
My original BC29 is still going strong! It is so low maintenance that there generally isn't that much to talk about. I did recently add an IceCap Gyre to it for some additional flow, but other than that the thing just chugs along. That was my goal with that tank and I have to say it has really worked out. I have kept the bio load low on purpose, so that it doesn't require much maintenance.
My wife wants to change up our dining room, where the BC29 is located, and the change will free up a larger area for a tank and she actually asked me to get a larger tank!! Go figure!
The space I have to work with isn't massive, but I should still be able to step up a bit in size. My goal is to once again create a tank that is very low maintenance, but I'm fine with accomplishing this through more automation, like AWC, roller mat filter, etc.
I will be definitely going the TBS Package route again, as I still believe that was one of the best decisions I made and is part of the reason for how little maintenance the tank requires. Plus, you get SO MUCH life with that stuff!
The largest tank dimensions I can work with are 42" long, by about 24" wide (front to back). Height doesn't matter much, but I love the look of lower height "lagoon" like tanks. For the front to back width, I could possibly go larger than 24", but not too much more.
I am looking for tank suggestions. Again, ease of use is paramount.
I know this isn't a traditional sized area and will limit me on any pre-fab tank solutions, but I'd like to use as much of that space as possible. The dimensions above leave a little room between the walls (it's a corner) to have magnets and run wires, but the left side of the tank probably wouldn't have enough room to put a hand back between the wall and tank/stand. A 36" long tank would allow enough room though, and is a more standard size.
I love the all-in-one nature of the BC29, but I also realize it has a tremendous amount of limitations. Still, a larger AIO tank provides more possibilities in the back part.
Some of the tanks I have been interested in so far are:
My BC29 is VERY self contained with it's hood and everything inside of itself, but like I said earlier, this also has its drawbacks (like heat and needing cooling fans). While I love the look of rimless and open top tanks, I'm not sure I actually want one for my house. Even if I get a rimless tank, I will be getting a screened top for it at a minimum, but I think my wife would like something that is more self contained... like a tank with a matching stand and hood.
I'm not entirely sure where to find the tank I want, but I am willing to go custom if the cost is not too high and the wait is not too long. This isn't going to be my end-all-be-all tank, so I'm not that interested in dropping a TON of money on something custom unless the value (that I perceive) is there.
My original BC29 is still going strong! It is so low maintenance that there generally isn't that much to talk about. I did recently add an IceCap Gyre to it for some additional flow, but other than that the thing just chugs along. That was my goal with that tank and I have to say it has really worked out. I have kept the bio load low on purpose, so that it doesn't require much maintenance.
My wife wants to change up our dining room, where the BC29 is located, and the change will free up a larger area for a tank and she actually asked me to get a larger tank!! Go figure!
The space I have to work with isn't massive, but I should still be able to step up a bit in size. My goal is to once again create a tank that is very low maintenance, but I'm fine with accomplishing this through more automation, like AWC, roller mat filter, etc.
I will be definitely going the TBS Package route again, as I still believe that was one of the best decisions I made and is part of the reason for how little maintenance the tank requires. Plus, you get SO MUCH life with that stuff!
The largest tank dimensions I can work with are 42" long, by about 24" wide (front to back). Height doesn't matter much, but I love the look of lower height "lagoon" like tanks. For the front to back width, I could possibly go larger than 24", but not too much more.
I am looking for tank suggestions. Again, ease of use is paramount.
I know this isn't a traditional sized area and will limit me on any pre-fab tank solutions, but I'd like to use as much of that space as possible. The dimensions above leave a little room between the walls (it's a corner) to have magnets and run wires, but the left side of the tank probably wouldn't have enough room to put a hand back between the wall and tank/stand. A 36" long tank would allow enough room though, and is a more standard size.
I love the all-in-one nature of the BC29, but I also realize it has a tremendous amount of limitations. Still, a larger AIO tank provides more possibilities in the back part.
Some of the tanks I have been interested in so far are:
- Red Sea Reefer 250 - dims 36x20
- Innovative Marine SR-60 (AIO) - dims 36x24
- Red Sea MAX S 400 (AIO like with real Sump) - dims 41x28
My BC29 is VERY self contained with it's hood and everything inside of itself, but like I said earlier, this also has its drawbacks (like heat and needing cooling fans). While I love the look of rimless and open top tanks, I'm not sure I actually want one for my house. Even if I get a rimless tank, I will be getting a screened top for it at a minimum, but I think my wife would like something that is more self contained... like a tank with a matching stand and hood.
I'm not entirely sure where to find the tank I want, but I am willing to go custom if the cost is not too high and the wait is not too long. This isn't going to be my end-all-be-all tank, so I'm not that interested in dropping a TON of money on something custom unless the value (that I perceive) is there.