New condo, new aquarium!

onefish2fish

well i would drill it regardless for a closed loop, its going to be 10 feet long

fishman09

wow, that is going to be an amazing tanl, i am working on setting up a 100 or 75 gallon salt water tank, but it is going to take a while cause of the costs, it is crazy prices to get one set up

Pasfur

I don't know. The actual construction is beyond my experience level. My brother has built this tank several times. I will have to ask him again. Maybe he suggested tempered glass for the front piece of glass to prevent bowing. Probably.

In any case, I do plan to drill a hole in the bottom for the sump. Austin - do you have any threads or articles on the Coast to Coast concept? I recall this discussion in the past and you were full of good information.

onefish2fish

are you not going to close loop it?

i would imagine you would have to unless you want a row of powerheads along the back wall

Pasfur

I have not decided anything. This is why I am starting these conversations now!

I want time to kick ideas around and share your experiences. I have never had a project like this at home. I have maintained systems that were already set up, but the designing and implementation of such a system at home, starting from scratch, is an entire different experience.

To make it more crazy, I am not mechanically inclined. I have a wealth of knowledge of how I want things to work after they are created, but the process of cutting glass, building the tank, building the stand and canopy, all of these things are beyond my skill level. I will have to communicate to other people in the process as these things are completed.

It is my lack of mechanical experience that has probably turned me into a low-technology fishkeeper. I like to keep things simple. Unfortunately, i think a sump system is necessary on a tank this size to simplify the upkeep. So, please treat me like a novice... explain the benefits of a closed loop system as opposed to a Coast to Coast.

Lets talk this out. I need all of your input and help!

Cody Cody Cody.... sump designs please!

Pasfur

Thanks Cody. This helps a ton.

onefish2fish

well an overflow is an overflow, which takes your water to the sump. theres drilled internal overflows and theres HOB overflows that use a siphon to take the water down to the sump. there is drawbacks of both so keep options open.

a close loop basically is a bunch of holes drilled in the tank, hooked up with PVC, hooked to a pump. ( self explanitory; a closed loop ) this acts as your powerheads and creates your flow. you may need an additional powerhead or 2 for dead spots but i think a closed loop in such a long tank is just about mandatory.

Pasfur

No doubt a closed loop. It is an absolute must for a tank this length, i would agree. In fact, the thread Cody sent me is a closed loop, which I have already discussed with my brother.

I would prefer to drill the return holes in the back of the aquarium, rather than in the bottom. Is there any reason this is not going to work?

On the overflow, it will be an internal.

Also, going back to the bottom piece of glass. It WILL BE tempered glass. The glass is drilled first and then tempered. This is the advantage of having a brother you works in the glass industry. The added strength of the tempered bottom piece of glass will be nice piece of mind.

Does anyone have suggestions on the return sump pump? Brand and model?

Pasfur

So, last night my fiance and i are looking at pictures of large reef displays. We come across this tank:
Tank of the Month - December 2003 - Reefkeeping Online Magazine

My fiance says, matter of fact, "why don't we just do that?" Like its no big deal.

So, as soon as possible I will be taking measurements in my new condo to see if we can use this "L" shape for my new reef. I picture it being 4' x 8', with 14'' width and 22'' height.

onefish2fish

lol yea why dont you just do that?


do you have any idea what you want to stock?
better yet do you have any idea what its going to cost to stock?