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new tank, The planning stage.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by mthomp, Dec 25, 2012.

  1. Dec 25, 2012 #1
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    Many of you may know that I sold my tank and ever since I have in withdrawls.

    I am now almost to build a new tank and thought I would share the plan and get some input

    I am planning on a 30x30x18 rimless cube making this more of a lagoon type tank. For a stand I would like it to be larger then the tank maybe 42x42 giving me plenty of room below for all my gadgets without having to cram everything in.

    I am still up in the air about lighting but as of now I am thinking a 4 bulb t5 setup would work nicely but I am concerned about heat since the tank will be pretty shallow, If i do decide to do LED i will probably go with a kessle and goosneck type light.

    The other thing I am stll up in the air about is the flow for this tank. I am not sure a couple mp10s will work because of glass thickness and have considered tunze. The other option I am considering is a closed loop

    Livestock will be fairly simple here. After watching many reef shows there are 2 kinds of fish I see in abundance around reefs, 1 simply wont work in a tank this size which is the anthias. The other is the damsel and I plan on just having 3-5 of these in the tank along with a pistol shrimp yasha goby.

    Anyway I am about a month or so before I actually start this build and I am still researching the tank and where to order from. Right now glass cages has the best prices.
     
  2. Dec 25, 2012 #2
    FRGNCC

    FRGNCC Inactive User

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    I would buy those two Kessler Donavan has forsale in the post below. If you want a cheap rimless that is good mr aqua 36x17.5x17.5 is a quality build and very cheap for what you get. I have the mr aqua 24X12x14 and is perfect for a frag tank. I have a rimless from miricales in Canada DT and it turned out great but might be a little more expensive. Reef Savvy makes great rimless tanks but their prices are about the same as miricales. Glass cages are tempting.
     
  3. Dec 30, 2012 #3
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    I am just about ready to pull the trigger on this build, still looking for a tank though and some advice on the flow and lighting. I am considering a wavebox.
     
  4. Dec 30, 2012 #4
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    Nice size choice. Love those tanks, especially if they are set up for some nice top-down views. I don't think you'll have too many issues with heat using T5's. They don't get too terribly hot in the first place, and you have a lot of surface area on that tank that would lend to a good evaporative cooling effect on the tank. Use external pumps and you'll have even less issues. As far as flow, I think you're right with your concerns on the MP10s. I am betting a rimless tank that size will be 1/2" glass which the MP10s aren't technically designed to be used on. A wavebox and a smaller Tunze or two might suffice, but it may be a bit intrusive in the tank. All depends on what kind of look you are looking for. A closed loop system would be the way to go if your going for the "clean" look with minimal pumps inside the tank. Since your going custom it shouldn't be any issues to have as many holes as you need put in the tank.
    Can't wait to see what you end up with.
     
  5. Dec 30, 2012 #5
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    I actually am going for a top down look. I really do think it will be a t5 set. Just didnt get out of leds that I was hoping for. Still not completely sold on the closed loop yet and a wave box is looking a little more promising. I think I can camouflage it enough if I do a black background plus I think it may work a little better with my lagoon theme.

     
  6. Dec 30, 2012 #6
    Killernights

    Killernights Inactive User

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    i have seen some nice closed loop systems with the holes drilled only in the bottum of the tank and having the pipes hidden in the rockwork. closed loop would give you more room but will be a little more work. I also like the idea of the LEDs, you could have them up a little higher from the tank and give yourself more room to look in the tank. I'm excited to see how this comes out. If you need help just ask, idk how busy i'll be though lol. Good luck Mike.
     
  7. Jan 20, 2013 #7
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    Some updates on this. I ordered my tank but then called them to change the size. I decided 18 inches was too deep for what I want and went with 30x30x12. My goal here is to create a lagoon setting here along with being able to see things from the top down. I am still undecided about flow and lights for this tank.
     
  8. Jan 20, 2013 #8
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    wow thats shallow. Can't wait to see the progress of this thing.
     
  9. Jan 20, 2013 #9
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    Yeah Dave I did some searching and looked at pictures of both sizes and after some measuring I feel 12 inchs deep will be exactly what I am looking for.
     
  10. Jan 20, 2013 #10
    Ray

    Ray

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    That will be cool , I like the ledge look with stands. I am really glad I put one on mine. Can't wait to see pictures.

     
  11. Jan 20, 2013 #11
    slovan

    slovan Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Dang, Mike! I never knew you sold your 90. Since you are building from scratch, do lots of research and look at all the builds from the various reef sites. How many sides will be viewable? Why are you sold on a wave box? They work well enough but a single controllable Tunze can rock your tank pretty good and it's only about 1/3 of the size.

    As for lighting, what are you going to keep? A little of everything or more focused on a type of coral like LPS?
     
  12. Jan 20, 2013 #12
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    I been researching for a few months now and still do every day. I change my mind all the time on the flow and i will probably go with either a tunze or a pair of mp10s.

    I have always been an acro fan and although I can keep them alive I have not had much luck getting them to grow. hasn't deterred me though I am still planning on a sps reef on this build maybe with a few chalices and or acans thrown in the mix

    2 sides will be viewable on this build where I am putting it.
     
  13. Jan 20, 2013 #13
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Can't wait to see it materialize Mike! :=0)
     

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