Zero Edge Tanks
- Thread starter Stray32
- Start date
Stray
I am also thinking about getting a ZeroEdge system and have been talking with jeremy at Premium Aquatics about them. I haven't done much research so I may be wrong but it seems like you would need to clean both sides of the glass as it makes contact with the water. I was going to email ZeroEdge about this but I would think if your power goes out most of your water would end up on the floor as the sump is large enough to hold all the water. I have read that they use check valves but I will not trust my new house to a $3.00 check valve
I am also thinking about getting a ZeroEdge system and have been talking with jeremy at Premium Aquatics about them. I haven't done much research so I may be wrong but it seems like you would need to clean both sides of the glass as it makes contact with the water. I was going to email ZeroEdge about this but I would think if your power goes out most of your water would end up on the floor as the sump is large enough to hold all the water. I have read that they use check valves but I will not trust my new house to a $3.00 check valve
Stray32
New member
Funny you should mention that Ninong. The tank that I saw was a clam tank on the site below. Click on the Gallery link and check out photos #4 and #5.
I have wanted a zoa/paly garden tank for a while, and I thought this would be great for that. Same concept as the clam tank...low and visible from all sides. Lots of mullah though...
http://www.aquariumsource.com/specialty-acrylic-aquariums.php
I have wanted a zoa/paly garden tank for a while, and I thought this would be great for that. Same concept as the clam tank...low and visible from all sides. Lots of mullah though...
http://www.aquariumsource.com/specialty-acrylic-aquariums.php
eisaiasjr
New member
ZeroEdge Owner
ZeroEdge Owner
Hello:
I own a 22 gallon zero edge: Measures 24"x18"x12" ht. (25"x31" Footprint)
I have had it setup for over a year now and i have to say that I like it, its simply incredible to look at.
I have to say that cleaning both sides of the acrylic is not a problem and takes a lot less time that people think, all you do is turn off the return pump and clean the outside first (which takes about 15 seconds) and then the inside, you have to remember that you cant use any tools with this tank! you must clean it with an acrylic sponge using your hand or you will scratch it 100% guaranteed.
I have used extreme caution with this tank and I can tell you that I have already scratched all of the sides at least once, its really disappointing that its made out of acrylic.
If you use extreme caution and understand that its acrylic and if you do something stupid it will scratch then you wont have a problem cleaning it.
A PROPERLY SETUP ZEROEDGE DOES NOT get a ripple effect on the sides, I can tell you that from experience.
Salt spray is a definite issue with the tank, I have salt spray all around the tank, it comes with the turf and there is nothing you can do about it.
Another thing that I must mention is that adding additional flow to the tank is not needed... my 22 gallon tank has a 1000 gph pump!!!! that is more than 45x turnover!
You MUST have this large pump in order to maintain the clear wall effect on the tank. if you go with a smaller pump you will get very bad ripple effects.
Yet another problem is that this tank is plagued with is micro bubbles! because of the ultra high flow of the sump the bubbles generated by the skimmer dont get a chance to rise to the surface. I had to trash the old sump and create a custom sump at my LFS.
And finally the stand is just horrible, it looks like crap and it breaks, from the water that has fallen off the tank while cleaning it has already started cracking at the base.
If you want to buy a tank from zero edge go for it, but I would strongly recommend against buying their sump or their stand. Buy ONLY the tank and the plumbing. then get your LFS to make you a good sump with lots of bubble walls and buy a decent skimmer as well as a good stand.
Looking back I have to say that once everything is said and done I am very happy with my zero edge because its simply beautiful to look at, but I would NEVER EVER recommend it to a friend. Its kinda like recommending a 1967 stingray Corvette to a friend as a daily driver. It looks beautiful but you know he will have problems with it.
I have spent Over $2,500.00 on hardware and failed attempts setting up this tank, go out and buy it but dont tell me I didnt warn you
Regards,
Estefano
ZeroEdge Owner
Hello:
I own a 22 gallon zero edge: Measures 24"x18"x12" ht. (25"x31" Footprint)
I have had it setup for over a year now and i have to say that I like it, its simply incredible to look at.
I have to say that cleaning both sides of the acrylic is not a problem and takes a lot less time that people think, all you do is turn off the return pump and clean the outside first (which takes about 15 seconds) and then the inside, you have to remember that you cant use any tools with this tank! you must clean it with an acrylic sponge using your hand or you will scratch it 100% guaranteed.
I have used extreme caution with this tank and I can tell you that I have already scratched all of the sides at least once, its really disappointing that its made out of acrylic.
If you use extreme caution and understand that its acrylic and if you do something stupid it will scratch then you wont have a problem cleaning it.
A PROPERLY SETUP ZEROEDGE DOES NOT get a ripple effect on the sides, I can tell you that from experience.
Salt spray is a definite issue with the tank, I have salt spray all around the tank, it comes with the turf and there is nothing you can do about it.
Another thing that I must mention is that adding additional flow to the tank is not needed... my 22 gallon tank has a 1000 gph pump!!!! that is more than 45x turnover!
You MUST have this large pump in order to maintain the clear wall effect on the tank. if you go with a smaller pump you will get very bad ripple effects.
Yet another problem is that this tank is plagued with is micro bubbles! because of the ultra high flow of the sump the bubbles generated by the skimmer dont get a chance to rise to the surface. I had to trash the old sump and create a custom sump at my LFS.
And finally the stand is just horrible, it looks like crap and it breaks, from the water that has fallen off the tank while cleaning it has already started cracking at the base.
If you want to buy a tank from zero edge go for it, but I would strongly recommend against buying their sump or their stand. Buy ONLY the tank and the plumbing. then get your LFS to make you a good sump with lots of bubble walls and buy a decent skimmer as well as a good stand.
Looking back I have to say that once everything is said and done I am very happy with my zero edge because its simply beautiful to look at, but I would NEVER EVER recommend it to a friend. Its kinda like recommending a 1967 stingray Corvette to a friend as a daily driver. It looks beautiful but you know he will have problems with it.
I have spent Over $2,500.00 on hardware and failed attempts setting up this tank, go out and buy it but dont tell me I didnt warn you
Regards,
Estefano
jjk_reef00
New member
The tank has to be leveled or else you will not get even water flow over all the edges.
dots
Premium Member
I always thought snails migrating over to the outside might be a problem with these.
All setups are going to have thier pros and cons, the best thing to do if your unsure is find someone who has had one, as exampled above, and see if the Pros still outweigh the Cons.
(And yeah, a stiff clutched, big block in a summertime commute isn't exactly "fun".....but the pros still outweigh the cons)
All setups are going to have thier pros and cons, the best thing to do if your unsure is find someone who has had one, as exampled above, and see if the Pros still outweigh the Cons.
(And yeah, a stiff clutched, big block in a summertime commute isn't exactly "fun".....but the pros still outweigh the cons)
Home Grown
Home Grown
I have a custom designed and home-built zero-edge. It is a 90 gallon. After pricing them and reviewing the manufacturer's flow system, I decided on DIY. Mine has 3 sided flow, is made of 3/4" acrylic and flows through a single 2" X 4" opening in the trough into my custom sump.
I solved the flood issue by using stand-pipe returns which allows only the top 1" of water to drain into the sump. I also plumbed the sump with overflows into an empty, emergency-only 15 gallon tank that is also below the stand. My Live rock hides the standpipes completely.
I solved the "crappy stand" syndrome by making my own 2 X 4 stand which I covered with 1/4" acrylic, attached with velcro for ease of removal.
My lights are a coralife 2 X 150 MH and 2 X 96 Watt actinic combo which is suspended via heavy duty shelf brackets. I "hid" the lights with a 1/4" black acrylic shield.
Cost of tank: $1,000
Cost of Sump: $ 325
Cost of material for stand skirt: $100
Cost of material for light cover: $100
Cost of this size from manufacturer: $way too much...like $3000+
I have had it running for a year and am finally adding fish (currently a single Clarkii is hosting is a RBTA which just split. I have 2 clams, a tongue coral, a scolymia and a 16" elephant ear mushroom).
I run 2 separate return lines, one powered with a quiet one 4000 and the other a quiet one 6000 (gotta have redundancy).....I throttle them both back about 20% to lessen the flow through the sump. That solved the microbubble issue I had at first. I do not use any floss or filter socks in the sump/fuge. Tried it, too much hassle.
I auto-top off with a direct RO/DI feed.
I have no salt creep. But I tend to make a mess when I clean the acrylic, which I do by hand using acrylic safe pads (the magnets just don't work well). I also scrape the interior algae weekly with my credit card edge.
My only issue was quieting the drain....I keep a sponge in the drain opening which requires weekly (every 5 days) cleaning. It actually keeps a lot of detritus out of the sump system.
My filtration and skimming occurs in-sump where I use all Tunze equipment. Space is at a premium.
I would attach pics, but it's dark right now. If you want some, let me know and I can post.
Hope this helps.
Grunfeld in Detroit
A huge Steeler Fan, hopelessly caught in football hell
Home Grown
I have a custom designed and home-built zero-edge. It is a 90 gallon. After pricing them and reviewing the manufacturer's flow system, I decided on DIY. Mine has 3 sided flow, is made of 3/4" acrylic and flows through a single 2" X 4" opening in the trough into my custom sump.
I solved the flood issue by using stand-pipe returns which allows only the top 1" of water to drain into the sump. I also plumbed the sump with overflows into an empty, emergency-only 15 gallon tank that is also below the stand. My Live rock hides the standpipes completely.
I solved the "crappy stand" syndrome by making my own 2 X 4 stand which I covered with 1/4" acrylic, attached with velcro for ease of removal.
My lights are a coralife 2 X 150 MH and 2 X 96 Watt actinic combo which is suspended via heavy duty shelf brackets. I "hid" the lights with a 1/4" black acrylic shield.
Cost of tank: $1,000
Cost of Sump: $ 325
Cost of material for stand skirt: $100
Cost of material for light cover: $100
Cost of this size from manufacturer: $way too much...like $3000+
I have had it running for a year and am finally adding fish (currently a single Clarkii is hosting is a RBTA which just split. I have 2 clams, a tongue coral, a scolymia and a 16" elephant ear mushroom).
I run 2 separate return lines, one powered with a quiet one 4000 and the other a quiet one 6000 (gotta have redundancy).....I throttle them both back about 20% to lessen the flow through the sump. That solved the microbubble issue I had at first. I do not use any floss or filter socks in the sump/fuge. Tried it, too much hassle.
I auto-top off with a direct RO/DI feed.
I have no salt creep. But I tend to make a mess when I clean the acrylic, which I do by hand using acrylic safe pads (the magnets just don't work well). I also scrape the interior algae weekly with my credit card edge.
My only issue was quieting the drain....I keep a sponge in the drain opening which requires weekly (every 5 days) cleaning. It actually keeps a lot of detritus out of the sump system.
My filtration and skimming occurs in-sump where I use all Tunze equipment. Space is at a premium.
I would attach pics, but it's dark right now. If you want some, let me know and I can post.
Hope this helps.
Grunfeld in Detroit
A huge Steeler Fan, hopelessly caught in football hell
eisaiasjr
New member
Ill show you mine if you show me yours...
Ill show you mine if you show me yours...
Grunfeld,
I am really interested in seeing how large your tank is and how good the side/top view look... please post some pics
anyway, here are a few pics of my ZeroEdge 22 gal, its needs a cleaning I know, but it will give you guys a good idea of what it looks like.
Top View (sorry about the reflection)
Top View of Clown
Side View of Clown:
Angled View of Front:
(continued on next post)
Ill show you mine if you show me yours...
Grunfeld,
I am really interested in seeing how large your tank is and how good the side/top view look... please post some pics
anyway, here are a few pics of my ZeroEdge 22 gal, its needs a cleaning I know, but it will give you guys a good idea of what it looks like.
Top View (sorry about the reflection)
Top View of Clown
Side View of Clown:
Angled View of Front:
(continued on next post)
LouDogDaddy
New member
I really enjoy this type of tank but my main concern is evaporation... All of that surface area must be a killer on makeup water... How do you owners handle the humidity in the room???
eisaiasjr
New member
Lou:
I agree with you 100% evaporation is definitely an issue with these tanks, like I mentioned before my tank is only 22 gallons and it evaporates 7 gallons per week! absolutely crazy! 30% of the total water evaporates in 1 week!
A good top off system and a large RO/DI reservoir are MUST HAVES.
Regards,
E
I agree with you 100% evaporation is definitely an issue with these tanks, like I mentioned before my tank is only 22 gallons and it evaporates 7 gallons per week! absolutely crazy! 30% of the total water evaporates in 1 week!
A good top off system and a large RO/DI reservoir are MUST HAVES.
Regards,
E
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