Upgraded from my Acrylic to Glass

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This is my 3rd reef tank 1st one was 150 gallons 72" x 26" x 18" 2nd one was 60" x 24" x 36" Acrylic and next came allot of scratches. So now I ordered a glass starphire 60" x 25" x 36" tank from Miracles Aquariums out of Ontario. It's not here yet. Should be here in about 3 weeks. Now my setup consist of a

New display tank 234 gallons 60" L x 36" W x 25" H
125-gallon sump
Bubble King super marina 200 internal skimmer
Aqua C RX-1C Calcium reactor
4 MP 40 Ecotech Vortech circulating pumps
1 3600 gph Dolphin return pump going through a 1 ½" manifold
MRC Nilsen Kalk reactor
Milwaukee SMs122 PH monitor
Refugium is built into the sump
50 gal tub with JBJ auto top off water system
2 Lumenark 111 reflectors with 250 radium metal halide bulbs

I have a platform that the 250 lbs of live rock sits on, I'm thinking about getting rid of it, to hard to hide This is a bare bottom tank and SPS will be the main coral I'll keep.

Aquascaping ideas and thoughts
I'm really appreciating the length of time I've had for the planning my Aquascape process, though, only problem is I get lots of chances to second-guess myself! First time around I made a platform out of scheduled 80 PC ½" pipe it was 48" long by 24" wide and 2¾" high. This was designed for water to flow underneath using an Ecotech Vortech MP 40 pump. I wanted to provide enough empty space for flow and easy maintenance. This was originally designed for a bare bottom tank, keeping free and clear of organisms and detritus accumulation... I was thinking of keeping it bare bottom but redesigning the platform, no more rectangular with a pile of rocks on it. This time using a figure eight design (the tank can be viewed front and back so I don't have much choice). But now using some form of substrate material to hide the platform. I got a hold of some 1" fiberglass grating so the height will only be 2 inches and I have a lot of small 3" rock so I can line the edges separating the platform from the substrates. Now there's lots of other substrate materials out there, of different sizes, textures. I wonder if I should use something heavier then sand, (remember the vortech pump flowing underneath).


Please fill free to comment.

 

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So you can get a idea of the design I included 2 more photos, showing the sump stand and the sump. These were taken when I did the second tank, acrylic tank. This new design will have a better overflow system. I also included a picture from the front. I built a 17 foot bar in front of the tank, it makes for a nice background. The bar has a nautical theme look and feel.

I also got the reactor up and running, love the huge chamber, no inlet pump, and the probe holder. After tuning it in, drops per second and bubble rate, it's working fine.
I had a K2R reactor to small for my new tank and no probe holder, plus it need a inlet pump. I'm trying to cut back on energy. When I hit the lottery i'm going to get
the Orphek 156W their not out let, here's a
link : http://orphek.com/wordpress/?p=104

 

[Carant]

High-Mark,

The platform is a great idea. However piling rocks around it to hide will basically defeat the purpose for the flow and create an area that detritus will acumulate and rot ... unless siphoned.

You can easily use a agragocrete mixture to cover the platform to hide the piping. There are alot of post on doing this with backgrounds and for hiding closed loop systems. Mr Wilson has alot of experience with this

Hope this helps,

Cheers,
Bruce

 

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Thanks, Mr, Wilson. Can you please direct me. Still trying to figure how to use the forums.

 

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New tank drawing

New tank drawing

Looks like my new tank will be shipped next week. I attached a drawing. I ordered it from Miracles Aquariums 3 sides are starphire with 4 1/2" euro bracing with 4 holes for my return manifold. The left hand side is my external overflow.

 

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The tank will be here 12/07/2010 and I just got my fiberglass grate 1" thick 24" x 48" this will be used for the platform.

 

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I finished the platform and will zip tie the live rocks to it. The tank has arrived.

 

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With the help of Louie Bromer the fish guy and his crew, the tank is now installed. We zip tied the live rocks to the platform. I'm very pleased with the results.

 

[gary faulkner]

With the help of Louie Bromer the fish guy and his crew, the tank is now installed. We zip tied the live rocks to the platform. I'm very pleased with the results.

high-mark,

Great idea, I really like it.

 

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Pictures: 1st one is front view, 2nd one is back view with door open to the lights.

 

[stoney1118]

now that is cool! great idea and it turned out really nice! is that egg crate painted or some special type? ive only seen the white and black!

 

[stoney1118]

oh nm i see its fiberglass crate. sorry!

 

[James404]

Looks good so far, will tag along to see how this progresses.

 

[caliking]

I really like the aquascaping.

 

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Just wanted to post this update to my glass 230 gallon reef tank, It's a video showing my setup and me doing a simple water change.

http://gallery.me.com/gswiech/100036

 

[high-mark]

Just wanted to post this update to my glass 230 gallon reef tank project, It's a video showing my setup and me doing a simple water change.

http://gallery.me.com/gswiech/100036

 

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let me know your thoughts.