Xtra Wide Staphire Peninsula Build Thread - 400g System - Help! ;-)

[Jar*Head]

I am not trying to ruin someone business but i am kinda mad to hear Chad crying on the phone with me everyday either his overflow box look funny or the side panel look scary but when he contact them, they had a cat fight. I rather order my tank through GC

 

[Jar*Head]

Tony, 1.5yr from now my tank should be ready for coral. If you ever need a home for them. Just call me, i will house time for you till you get it fix

 

[Untamed12]

Re: Xtra Wide Staphire Peninsula Build Thread - 400g System - Help! ;-)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12299808#post12299808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyespinoza

Are these the right sizes?
- Dual 1.5" Durso returns (different heights) in overflow.

The different heights of the dursos in the overflow box is strange. I can't understand what you are thinking with that. As this is your first sump based system, you might not be familiar with "Herbie" drains. In order to run a Herbie-type drain, you'll have to flow 100% of your overflow down one of those drains and use the other for emergency overflow only.

Based on that, I would go larger than 1.5"....maybe 2" should do it. (Too large is OK....too small is bad)

I think it is fair to say that if you can design for a Herbie type, they are better in every respect than any durso. However, you have to have the tank properly built for it.

 

[Jar*Head]

Tony, i wasn't kidding about the BK Group buy. You can ask Terry about it

 

[tonyespinoza]

Yup - Sounds like the "herbie" style is what I was after. So 2" sounds like a better choice. Any links to more info on Herbie style?

Terry & Steve - what style drains are you guys using? I thought Steve had durso's... does it make sense to structure them so that if one plugs the other can catch at a diff height, or am i trip'n?

 

[tonyespinoza]

I haven't put in my deposit yet... But your stories really are scary...

I wonder why AGE won't do glass eurobracing?

 

[tbone28]

Tony, it's a good idea to have a backup drain. I did not go that route. I have 2 working 1.5" drains. I doubt that I will have any backups with 3" worth of drains. I use CJ Standpipes.

You really should think more deeply about your tank choice, IMO.

Regarding glass eurobracing from AGE, did you ask Tom? Or are you assuming?

I'm not sure why you think the acrylic eurobrace will look funny on a glass tank. Here's my opinion. Since you're doing starphire, the acrylic and glass are both very clear. Also, a 1-piece eurobrace looks nicer and cleaner than a 4-piece eurobrace, again, IMO.

The Eurobrace is their for support, first and foremost. Acrylic is stronger than glass. The fact that it's one-piece makes it even stronger. I suspect this is why AGE does acrylic Eurobraces.

Took some quick pics for you:

 

[Jar*Head]

I am using 2 1.5" drain with CJ stand pipe. I don't fully understand the "Herbie" so i am not going to try. I wouldn't worry much about it. Just get yourself 2 holes, and two durso pipe and you should be good...

 

[tonyespinoza]

what's the diff between the Durso and the CJ?

the peer pressure to go with AGE is so thick, i can cut it with a knife!

(the truth is i think you guys know what you're talking about so i guess i better listen!)

 

[tbone28]

CJ is a different type of standpipe, which takes up less real estate. CJ is the guy who makes them.

Regarding paying extra to get a white PVC bottom from AGE, do you plan on scraping your bottom on a regular basis? If not, whether you get white or gray, it will be covered with coralline. Take a look at Naka's tank. He has an AGE BB tank with standard gray PVC bottom.

I did not know AO gives 1 year warranty. AGE also gives 1 year if you use your own stand, and 5 years if you use theirs

link to CJ standpipes - absolutely silent. It's a DIY job as well, if you so desire

http://www.nautilusreef.com/html/cjstandpipes.html

 

[Jar*Head]

The CJ seem to do more surface skimming, smaller foot print. The durso look bulky....

I agree with Terry (for the first time ) that 1 piece brace is stronger...

 

[ConcreteReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12300458#post12300458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jar*Head
I heard Velocity T-4 is for rookie .

Tony go with tunze master Circulation. I ran them in my 240g system before from the garage to my so call dining room . The pump run cold not warm . You can run it internal or external. Or use the eheim 1262

Here is the pump that i am going to use in my new setup

You may need the Ca reactor if you decided to go with SPS dominate. I like your list of equipment but i heard the photon doesn't have a very good spread.

That pump is for girly-men...
You need a MAN-PUMP *don't quote that

 

[Jar*Head]

That look like a wave pump. BTW, that pump look too manly for me

 

[tbone28]

Steve, he will regret buying that pump after he realizes he can't fit anything else under his stand

 

[Jar*Head]

Are you talking about my pump or Concrete manly pump? Well, eheim is another good choice beside the Red dragon....

 

[tbone28]

I'm talking about Concrete's manly pump. Looks like that pump is full of concrete, it's so big! :lol:

Eheim is good. RD is expensive for a return pump

 

[wmilas]

If you are worried about the split seems, why not just go all acrylic? Sounds like you already have an acrylic like bottom, and an acrylic top brace, and glass thats made to be as transparent as acrylic. Go the whole 9 yards and go acrylic all the way around for the strength.

The whole scratch thing is overblown on large tanks. Just take a few hours each year and use the buffer to tidy it up.

 

[tbone28]

I would not drain a display tank to buff out scratches

 

[tonyespinoza]

i think you guys are right -- acrylic for the top brace may be just fine. AGE wants $500 extra for it tho.

i'm personally not up for an all acrylic tank. if the tank was even larger, maybe it would be the only viable option (a la Steve's Monster).

 

[tbone28]

Tony, why don't you go rimless? It's cheaper and it has the look I think you're going for. You're not using a canopy, right?