View Full Version : 3 feet and lots of cash
Fishmommy
02/16/2013, 02:04 PM
I am new to the marine hobby. I have a 3 foot wall space for a tank, which means I'm probably looking at a 65 gallon setup or so. I prefer acrylic, and am stoked to do a reef setup with a refugium/sump underneath. If money was no object, please tell me what you would buy for equipment including the tank itself, stand, etc.
I also am pretty set on LED lighting.
Go!
(Many thanks in advance!)
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04mach1
02/16/2013, 02:13 PM
Definetly a rimless cube tank.
DUPioneers
02/16/2013, 02:44 PM
Tank:
Something custom. A rimless cube would be a good choice if you like the look and can suspend the lights in a way that won't look cheesy, but I'm (obviously) not familiar with any depth or height limitations you have. That said, get something with as much front-to-back depth as possible, it makes aquascaping easier. Also, keep in mind that your tank + sump + stand + equipment + water will likely weigh over 1,000 lbs once all put together, so make sure that your presumed location will support the weight. Call a structural engineer if you have questions. Waking up one morning to your tank in the basement and a giant hole in your floor would be....bad.
Stand:
Have something made by a local artisan who knows what s/he is doing. Fit it into your decor. Make it part of your life and your home. Don't go buy a pre-fab one unless you absolutely LOVE it. Make sure that whomever builds it understands that a full 65 gallon tank weighs over 770 lbs...
Lighting:
LED! LED! LED!
Other:
I'd probably do a full automatic water change system from these guys: http://www.genesisreefsystems.com/
I'd FOR SURE get a controller.
The rest, well, it really depends on what you want to set up and what you have room for. Internal or external skimmer? Basement sump? Separate fuge and sump, or one unit? Etc...etc...etc...
Fishmommy
02/16/2013, 02:52 PM
:)
This tank will be located in my basement fish room on concrete.
I dunno about internal/external choices...looking for any and all advice.
I have no real depth/height restrictions so a cube is definitely doable. Got any rimless cube vendors to recommend?
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CHSUB
02/16/2013, 03:29 PM
"if money was no object"....i would move to fiji and set the tank up fed with ocean water.....oh yeah, i would also winter in Aspen!!!
Fishmommy
02/16/2013, 03:35 PM
If money truly was no object, I would hire a professional! ;)
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EllieSuz
02/16/2013, 03:44 PM
Cube tanks are beautiful, but if you want your fish to stay in the tank, you might consider something that can handle a cover. So many fish are lost to jumping. Personally, I think it's careless husbandry to keep an open top tank. The problem with automatic water change systems is that is doesn't vacuum the sand. I absolutely agree that a controller is essential. Cannot imagine doing without one. Oh, by all means, set up a quarantine tank early on so you prevent disease and parasites from getting in the display. Do some research and have a custom sump made. I've done that twice and never been sorry I didn't jerry rig something. You've posted a very interesting thread and it's going to be fun to read all the replies. Best of luck to you. I envy anybody just starting out.
Fishmommy
02/16/2013, 04:26 PM
Here's a dumb question:
Can a standard wooden stand handle a sump in it? I am wondering about the weight as well as salt creep issues.
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Fishmommy
02/16/2013, 04:42 PM
And another:
With a reef setup, can I use a single chamber sump outfitted as a refugium?
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jayinh
02/16/2013, 04:51 PM
where in NH are you at? plymouth pet is where i got my rimless deep blue cube, great service and prices.
Fishmommy
02/16/2013, 04:55 PM
where in NH are you at? plymouth pet is where i got my rimless deep blue cube, great service and prices.
I am in western central NH
I will gladly make the trip!
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GroktheCube
02/16/2013, 06:11 PM
Here's a dumb question:
Can a standard wooden stand handle a sump in it? I am wondering about the weight as well as salt creep issues.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HDWeight is typically not a problem, as the bottom on most stands is cosmetic, just a piece of plywood on the bottom. The sump would effectively be sitting on the floor.
The bigger possible problem is getting the sump into the stand. Some stands do not have good dimensions, and you end up needing to remove supports temporarily to get a sump in.
And another:
With a reef setup, can I use a single chamber sump outfitted as a refugium?
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Typically, a sump/fuge combo is done with 3 chambers. The first chamber is inlet from overflow + skimmer. There is then a baffle at the water height needed for optimal skimmer operation (~8-10" for most). This is usually part of a "bubble trap" where after flowing over the first baffle, the water then flows under a second raised about 1-2" off the bottom of the sump, and then finally over another slightly lower than the first baffle. ~1" of space between each baffle. The central chamber is usually used for the return pump, along with heaters, ATO, etc. People then either tee off the return pump or use a dedicated pump to push water into the third and final chamber, the 'fuge. The baffle for the fuge is higher than the others, to allow for more water volume, which is a big benefit to skimmer-->return--> fuge rather than another orientation.
I'm almost done setting up my new 120G reef, and I've opted to use separate fuge and sump. I'm building the fuge out of acrylic to fit perfectly in the spare space I have under the stand with the sump in there. This lets me get the best of both worlds. A bigger, better fuge, and a bigger sump that can hold FAR more "oops" water. It can handle all of the water from the tank that would flow in if the pump failed and the return siphon break failed, along with the entire ATO reservoir if the float switch gets stuck in the on position, and the timer I have running as a backup also fails in the on position.
r-balljunkie
02/17/2013, 12:45 AM
36" cube.
go glass, acrylic will drive you crazy w. scratches
do your homework on this board.
check out D2mini's old cube build. thats about the gold standard for builds.
good luck.
c
gsiegel
02/17/2013, 07:41 AM
I am new to the marine hobby. I have a 3 foot wall space for a tank, which means I'm probably looking at a 65 gallon setup or so. I prefer acrylic, and am stoked to do a reef setup with a refugium/sump underneath. If money was no object, please tell me what you would buy for equipment including the tank itself, stand, etc.
I also am pretty set on LED lighting.
Go!
(Many thanks in advance!)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Easy - have it custom built into the wall with viewing from both side. I did that and more planning/labor intensive (but for your contractor and not you :beer:)
Agree with the another post re:LED's - get the VEGA lights. I have them and love them. Best of luck
Fishmommy
02/17/2013, 12:35 PM
Well I managed to find another foot, so am thinking 4'x2' now.
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GroktheCube
02/17/2013, 02:49 PM
Perfect for a 120. If you want to go custom, you could also do 4'x3'
Fishmommy
02/17/2013, 04:02 PM
120 it is. Glass. Rimless ( I'll put egg crate over it or a net for jumpers) with a 38 gallon refugium/sump probably. This is gonna be fun.
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EllieSuz
02/17/2013, 07:21 PM
Be careful to get a tank that's not so tall you can't reach the bottom. My stubby arms give me fits in my tall tank and I would never do that again. Have you thought about a 75 gallon? They are 48 x 18 x 21.
Fishmommy
02/17/2013, 08:54 PM
Thanks again everyone for your comments!
I have a 180 that is too deep so I know what you mean.
Would you go blue, black, or clear background?
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jon99
02/17/2013, 09:11 PM
I think colors pop best against a black background.
igot2gats
02/18/2013, 10:39 AM
I personally like the blue colored backgrounds. They make it look more realistic, as if your tank goes on forever in the ocean.
See my avatar.
That's what we're trying to do, right? Copy nature?
Ceece911
02/18/2013, 11:07 AM
Half of the people are going to tell you black, the other blue. It's a personal preference. I like black because it helps blend in the equipment in the tank, which is usually black.
GroktheCube
02/18/2013, 12:18 PM
I tend to think blue adds more depth, and black adds more contrast. Another reason I prefer black is because, as Ceece stated, PHs and such blend in with it better.
Fishmommy
02/18/2013, 02:33 PM
Thanks all :)
New question: what size/kind of heater for a sump?
Assume the tank is 120 and the sump is 30.
I watched the aqueon video on their sump and there was no mention of a heater.
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jon99
02/18/2013, 03:16 PM
You'll need roughly 3-5 watts per gallon. So with 150 gal roughly 450-750 watts. Which end of the range you need to shoot for depends on the room air temperature the tank will be set up in and how different it is from the temperature you want to keep the tank at. For example, I keep my heat turned down pretty low in the winter and my house gets fairly cold (67F or so). So I have roughly 4 watts per gallon and on cold nights the heaters run none stop to maintain the water temp at 77.
Tip: It's best to get several smaller heaters rather than one big one, just incase a heater dies or gets stuck "on" or "off" you'll have more room for error. Speaking of heaters getting stuck... do yourself a favor and invest in a separate thermostat such as the Ranco.
http://www.amazon.com/RANCO-ETC-112000-000-Digital-Temperature-Control/dp/B000LDF4Y8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1361221957&sr=8-6&keywords=ranco
Heaters have thermostats built into them, but most are not very accurate and prone to fail. Ranco makes a dual thermostat so you plug your heaters into one end and fans/chiller in the other end. It will monitor the temperature and if it falls or rises beyond a set point it will turn on either the heaters or the fans. There are other thermostats out there too, this just happens to be the one I use and have read many people on RC do as well.
EllieSuz
02/18/2013, 04:17 PM
Instead of a heater control, you really should consider a "all system" controller such as a Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite or Elite or the Apex brand. Redundant failsafe systems are so essential. I have a controller that operates two heaters in my sump and also regulates a pair of fans in the summer. There's no other way to keep really stable temperatures, other than a controller. The controller will also time your lights, powerheads, skimmer, etc. I would never attempt this hobby without a controller.
Fishmommy
02/18/2013, 04:46 PM
I am planning on using the Reefkeeper Elite so thanks
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