Bear may be getting salty again

bearwithfish

so everything is in the planning stages at this time but it looks good to get back into salt in the next few months... i thought it would be a good idea to have a place to get out my thoughts and work out details...

gear i have right now

150W heater
2 - 2bulb T5 HO lights with 10k and true blue actinics in each
multiple pumps (may need others have not decided if i want low or high flow yet)

gear i am getting in the short term

40 breeder to convert into an AIO or a Biocube 29 (trade pending)
considering a HOT skimmer (i hesitate due to risk of leaking) may go with internal if i can find strong and small (must be AIO tank)
cover for the tank to accommodate the fact i have cats and a dog who love to try and go fishing when they can..

in time.......
1/2"-3/4" of live sand no more!!
40 ish pounds of dry rock and 10 ish of live (long cycle = more time to research potential stocking


once cycled ...

nice mix of snails
????? trying to stay away from crabs this time around but i really do like them so not completely off the list yet...

onefish2fish

ive thought about an AIO tank when setting up my newest one. a cool idea IMO would be to add a false wall to the 40 cutting the tank in half making your display 18'' x 18'' and viewing the tank from the side panal of glass. it would stick out 3 feet from a wall though but your sump section would be awesome AND allow room for a full on in tank skimmer.
ofcourse its just a thought, what this thread is for right?

and look into porcelain crabs.

bearwithfish

all thoughts welcome my man!! i am considering all options LOOOOOOOOONG before i start to build..

onefish2fish

i just love cube tanks, ofcourse everyone has their thing... but i would love to see a cube tank. lol

bearwithfish

really considering having it sit "normal" with the sectioned of portion a box on the right side picture it like a overflow box that goes from the mid point to the right of the tank and all the rest of the tank is available to play with...

onefish2fish

i gotcha but this only allows the hang on skimmer... more tank room though. maybe a 7''x7'' ( or similiar ) to fit a skimmer..

hang on im drawing a picture.

onefish2fish

this shows the top down of a 40 breeder. the red X for intank skimmer and the red arrows showing water flow back to tank. middle section could be refugium, and third return pump/heater(s) which both could possible be more narrow compared to the first section for skimmer, depending construction.

just another idea.

bearwithfish

ohh i like that i will keep this in mind

bearwithfish

ok with your idea blended with min lets look at a few flaws and try to work them out shall we?

1st i want to move the skimmer "box" to the middle of the tank now for the skimmer i am looking at i need 8x10" box this would be the over flow into the chamber and the skimmer.. next up would be a narrower section from the box to the right 5" from front to back and ~10" from box to right side of tank. in this 5" area would be the heater, bubble trap and return pump(s)....

issue with both designs - skimmer would inhibit a cover
lights using legs would also inhibit cover use

potential solutions?
(yes this must be an AIO no sump options .... )

bearwithfish

here is my basic plan.. now still dealing with the accommodation of a skimmer... in tank if possible to accommodate space and reduce the risk of leaks...