Beast Tank Questions. Advise Me Lol

reef keeper

reef keeper

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Location
Hamilton, Ontario
Hi all

I currently have a 150 g reef. Dimensions are 72 x 18 x27 high. I hate the 18 dimension. My wife thought a 180 was too big. So I struggled endlessly with the aqua scape etc.

So here is my question.....

It looks like we will be moving in the next year or so, so it's time to get a big one
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I've looked at miracles which is about an hour from me. If there are any Canadian tank makers you have experience with I'm all ears.

I'm considering an 8 foot tank. I think 10 is even a bit big for me lol.

I'm concerned with the following

1. Lighting the width
2. Flow in the tank

I have a huge MRC MR3 skimmer so that doesn't come into play.

What height and width make the most sense. I'm looking at 30" or 36 width and 27 h. I have some tangs and a trigger and I want this tank to make people just stop and stare.

Appreciate the advice in advance
 
EricTMah

EricTMah

Aquariums by Design
Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
Website
www.aquariumsbydesign.ca
I'd say go as big as you can afford and fit into the space you have. We've all been there where no matter how large we go, you'll always want something just a bit bigger.

As for flow and lighting. What type of lighting are you planning to go with? LED, T5's, or MH'S? The new maxspect gyre that can easily handle flow in 8' and 10' tanks. Unless you're planning to run a closed loop system.

Also what kind of corals are you planning to keep? Softies, lps, or sps?

Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk 2
 
pulpfiction1

pulpfiction1

Reef Scavenger
Joined
Nov 16, 2010
Location
42.418807, -82.174073
delt with Miracles many times,Derick is very good to deal with and his staff have an excellent
reputaion for quality,also NAFB,my current tank was made by them,im very happy with the quality
of my tank
 
reef keeper

reef keeper

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Location
Hamilton, Ontario
My only issue with miracles is there is no discount for glass only. There's no way this thing could be moved safely in one piece is there? It will weigh over 1000 lbs empty! I know they make good tanks tho. 4500 bucks was their price
 
reefgeek

reefgeek

Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Location
Barrie, Ontario
I would recommend an in house build for a tank that large, I have dealt with NAFB but only for a small 60g cube; I got what I wanted but it was not Miracles grade. 27" is a great height, my current 300g display is 36" wide and I will say that reaching to the back from the front is a serious challenge for me (I'm 5'6"). I have considered many times just putting the swim trunks on and walking to the back to get at the backside of my display. My build is unique though so it may not be an issue if you will be stacking the rock up against the back pane of the display.

As for lighting I have went the DIY LED route and have enough coverage using 6 clusters, a lot of the LED fixtures sold will not suffice for a 36" front to back width without a little creativity on your part or purchasing multiple fixtures. If you are going to have the tank custom built, take a good long while to consider your options and have it built to your exact specifications.
 
reef keeper

reef keeper

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Location
Hamilton, Ontario
That would be cool to have everyone over lol. I'm pretty sure I want the 36 width. I'm lost on DIY LIGHTING. I'm no electrician. I have so much reading to do.
 
Cliff

Cliff

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2014
Location
Canfield, Ontario
DIY led are prety simple. But you do need to be able to solider. I could give you some pointers if you need. I built one for my 6' it took about a month to do lol
 
TORX

TORX

Administrator
Staff member
Website Admin
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Location
Blenheim, Ontario
Website
www.thefragtank.ca
Cliff said:
DIY led are prety simple. But you do need to be able to solider. I could give you some pointers if you need. I built one for my 6' it took about a month to do lol
Click to expand...

reef keeper said:
Do they grow sps? How deep?
Click to expand...


Agreed. DIY is pretty simple. They normally come with instructions too. I think there is links to 2 DIY's that I did in my signature. If you want to know if they grow SPS, check out Salty Cracker, all he runs is DIY LED
 
curiousphil

curiousphil

Super Active Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Location
London, Ontario
I got my custom tank from Concept Aquariums through Big Als London, who is their exclusive Ontario dealer. They did an amazing job on the tank and I was VERY impressed by their price point.

I know you are in Hamilton but it might be worth calling Paul or Aaron of BA London and getting them to do up a quote for you. I got a quote while standing in the store, if the Concept guys are in the office the quote turnaround will likely be under an hour. It was 15 mins for me!

They have a website here:
http://www.conceptaquariums.ca/index.php/custom-aquariums/custom-aquariums.html
 
D

deeznutz

Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Location
Newmarket, Ontario
I think with a monster tank build, the tank is the least of your concerns. Controlling the moisture is by far the most important thing. Followed by the fish room.
I would prioritize by this

Moisture!
Fish room
Lighting
Flow
tank
stand

I would also reconsider the 27" height and 36 width. Pick one or the other. If you want and tall tank, don't go too wide. If you want a wide tank, don't go too tall. Working on the tank is going to be a PITA! Even if your tall. Have you decided on euro brace? This adds to the nightmare. Just remember working on the tank(which is a daily thing) doesn't have to be a hassle or daunting.

My last tank was 48x30x24 tall with euro brace. It was set up as a peninsula and it was a pain to work on. I had the advantage of having access from both sides, but I still hated it. Up to the arm pits in water every time something falls to the bottom.

My new tank is much better to work on. 84x18x18. If I were to do a tank as large as you are contemplating I'd go 120x36x20 and I'll explain why.

The 120" in length gives you some much length for tangs. You can have some many tangs in this tank. You'll find them swimming laps from one end to the other. Awesome!
The 36" wide will give you great depth in your rock work, plus a ton of sand bed to keep clams, brains, scans and zoo
The 20" will allow you go a little lighter on the lighting. No pun intended. Lighting a tall tank can be tricky and expensive. Working on a 20" tall is a pleasure and you'll thank me in the long run.

Thats my advice and I'm on my 3rd tank. It's going to be a good tank which ever way you choose to take, but remember to build it for the long run and make sure you do your research and do things right the first time :)

Good luck and I'll be following :)
 
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