Newb Bought a 210 gallon and have never Reef'ed b4...

Skep18 · 02/02/2018, 07:54 PM

Hey. Just posting here as after some time thinking and talking it over with the SO, I've decided to go ahead and get a saltwater tank going. Not wanting a house full of equipment and tanks from which I would upgrade from, I just went all in and bought the bigger tank that I expect to remain happy with.

I'm not completely new to either aquariums or salt water. I used to have smaller tanks some 10+ years ago. I stopped at a 45 gallon puffer tank where I had 3 figure 8 puffers in brackish water IIRC. Also, while in college I briefly worked at a LFS which sold livestock and supplies as well as serviced tanks locally. I didn't know then I would one day be interested in saltwater but nonetheless, I do have some learning experiences from that.

All in all, I ordered a 210 gallon tank from Custom Aquariums (aka Lifetime Aquariums [i think?]). It's going to take a few months to deliver, which is OK as I am definitely not in a hurry on this. I have been doing a ton of reading and have reached a lot of "Ah-hah" moments only to later be revised to, "Wait, what???" thoughts. Seems like the more I learn the more I find out is a common misconception or has no consensus.

Anyways, I thought I would start this and post info as I go on. Hopefully if I do something stupid, someone with experience can jump in and tell me before I get too far.

Skep18 · 02/02/2018, 07:54 PM

Reserved.

Skep18 · 02/02/2018, 08:05 PM

The tank I've ordered is 72"L x 24"W x 30"H. It's the Lifetime Aquarium deal with the anodized aluminum bracing. Front and sides are the "ultra clear" glass. Made the front and bottom glass a size up in thickness for my peace of mind. Its being drilled for two Synergy 16" Shadow overflows.

Each overflow advertises a 1500gph capacity for a total overflow of 3000gph. This should be able to keep up with the (what seems to be) common adage of 5-10x tank volume through the sump per hour. My thinking was also to get higher overflow capacity than I would need in hopes that it will keep up if it gets a little dirty as well as using less than max capacity should keep it more quiet. We shall see though. Ultimately I didn't want to come up short in overflow capacity. Being relatively handy with a personal workshop, I wouldn't mind drilling anything myself nor am I intimidated by it but I will admit, at the cost of this tank, I sure didn't want to be cheap and risk anything. That as well as they don't honor their lifetime warranty if you drill the tank yourself.

On that note, I did buy the steel powder coated stand to go with it. I expect to finish the outside to match my home cabinetry, but that will wait until I make sure the system works as to not have me revise it later and thus cut again into the cabinetry.

AiKkz · 02/05/2018, 07:13 AM

Looking forward to seeing this build in progress.

jpas · 02/06/2018, 01:38 PM

Should be a great setup! I am in the process of setting up a Lifetime Aquarium 96"x30"x30" The tank is absolutely beautiful.

Best of luck with the build!

AiKkz · 02/07/2018, 09:22 AM

Nice i'm getting a similar tank from them. 72x36x24 deep dimension.

jpas · 02/07/2018, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AiKkz

Nice i'm getting a similar tank from them. 72x36x24 deep dimension.

They are great to work with, the build quality is second to none. My brother also had them make a 300 gallon tank and stand.

They also have some interesting anti siphon return nozzles that I am going to try out.

roberthu526 · 02/28/2018, 09:03 PM

Keep us updated please. Looking forward to seeing the tank. I am actually planning on buying a 300G from them. But I am going to build the stand on my own to custom fit my hobby room.
Quick question if you don't mind: did the anodized aluminum bracing come standard or did you add money for it?

Thanks in advance.

Skep18 · 03/04/2018, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberthu526

Keep us updated please. Looking forward to seeing the tank. I am actually planning on buying a 300G from them. But I am going to build the stand on my own to custom fit my hobby room.
Quick question if you don't mind: did the anodized aluminum bracing come standard or did you add money for it?

Thanks in advance.

Comes with all lifetime aquariums. I had the same question. Obviously rimless tanks will not have a top brace but the bottom should still be anodized aluminum.

swimsree · 03/06/2018, 09:28 PM

Is the Anodized aluminum bracing for support or just for the looks?

Thanks!

Skep18 · 03/12/2018, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimsree

Is the Anodized aluminum bracing for support or just for the looks?

Thanks!

Support. They have a good video on their tank features. They say not only is it real bracing compared to the typical plastic attire but theplatic will age and fatigue/fail over time.

02/02/2018, 07:54 PM	#1
Skep18 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 0	Newb Bought a 210 gallon and have never Reef'ed b4... Hey. Just posting here as after some time thinking and talking it over with the SO, I've decided to go ahead and get a saltwater tank going. Not wanting a house full of equipment and tanks from which I would upgrade from, I just went all in and bought the bigger tank that I expect to remain happy with. I'm not completely new to either aquariums or salt water. I used to have smaller tanks some 10+ years ago. I stopped at a 45 gallon puffer tank where I had 3 figure 8 puffers in brackish water IIRC. Also, while in college I briefly worked at a LFS which sold livestock and supplies as well as serviced tanks locally. I didn't know then I would one day be interested in saltwater but nonetheless, I do have some learning experiences from that. All in all, I ordered a 210 gallon tank from Custom Aquariums (aka Lifetime Aquariums [i think?]). It's going to take a few months to deliver, which is OK as I am definitely not in a hurry on this. I have been doing a ton of reading and have reached a lot of "Ah-hah" moments only to later be revised to, "Wait, what???" thoughts. Seems like the more I learn the more I find out is a common misconception or has no consensus. Anyways, I thought I would start this and post info as I go on. Hopefully if I do something stupid, someone with experience can jump in and tell me before I get too far.

02/02/2018, 08:05 PM	#3
Skep18 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 0	The tank I've ordered is 72"L x 24"W x 30"H. It's the Lifetime Aquarium deal with the anodized aluminum bracing. Front and sides are the "ultra clear" glass. Made the front and bottom glass a size up in thickness for my peace of mind. Its being drilled for two Synergy 16" Shadow overflows. Each overflow advertises a 1500gph capacity for a total overflow of 3000gph. This should be able to keep up with the (what seems to be) common adage of 5-10x tank volume through the sump per hour. My thinking was also to get higher overflow capacity than I would need in hopes that it will keep up if it gets a little dirty as well as using less than max capacity should keep it more quiet. We shall see though. Ultimately I didn't want to come up short in overflow capacity. Being relatively handy with a personal workshop, I wouldn't mind drilling anything myself nor am I intimidated by it but I will admit, at the cost of this tank, I sure didn't want to be cheap and risk anything. That as well as they don't honor their lifetime warranty if you drill the tank yourself. On that note, I did buy the steel powder coated stand to go with it. I expect to finish the outside to match my home cabinetry, but that will wait until I make sure the system works as to not have me revise it later and thus cut again into the cabinetry.

02/05/2018, 07:13 AM	#4
AiKkz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 17	Looking forward to seeing this build in progress.

02/06/2018, 01:38 PM	#5
jpas Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 60	Should be a great setup! I am in the process of setting up a Lifetime Aquarium 96"x30"x30" The tank is absolutely beautiful. Best of luck with the build!

02/07/2018, 09:22 AM	#6
AiKkz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 17	Nice i'm getting a similar tank from them. 72x36x24 deep dimension.

02/28/2018, 09:03 PM	#8
roberthu526 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 290	Keep us updated please. Looking forward to seeing the tank. I am actually planning on buying a 300G from them. But I am going to build the stand on my own to custom fit my hobby room. Quick question if you don't mind: did the anodized aluminum bracing come standard or did you add money for it? Thanks in advance.

03/06/2018, 09:28 PM	#10
swimsree Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6	Is the Anodized aluminum bracing for support or just for the looks? Thanks!