BigAl's slow chronicle . . .

[cheeks69]

With that tank being 24" deep would I be ok with dual 150 MH or does it NEED 250's?

If you plan on getting Tridacnids then the 250's would be my choice.

So what pump would the "masses" suggest I use to get the water back UP to the tank?

Will you use an in-line or in-sump pump ? If in-sump then the Eheim 1260 or MAG 9 would be a good option but it'll depend on how big your bulkheads will be. If in-line then I would suggest a Gen-X PCX40 or the Little Giant - 3-MDQ-SC Inline Pump.

If your set on the Octopus skimmer then for your sized tank I would get the 150 recirculating needlewheel skimmer.

BTW love the cabinetry work !

[BigAl07]

Thanks Robert. I am so excited about it too. Can't wait to see it completed. I was hoping it would be done by this weekend but he's going out of town Thursday so maybe next weekend.

Yes it's 250's for sure now. If they made a 400w I'd go that route but they don't in that fixture (that I can find anyway).I plan on it being an In-sump type of filter. It's all still in the PLANNING stages so I am of course open to suggestions.

Again thanks a ton.

Allen

[Dentoid]

You have learned the way Grasshopper, for there are no short cuts to anywhere good!

[BigAl07]

Thanks Scott. My wife and I want to make this the tank that makes everyone say, "OMG! We gotta have one of those!" Right now everyone comes in and bends down to get a better look at our 10g tank but this one will be much more eye-level and Eye Catching! The MH lights should really add some Wow-Factor. Maybe by 2010 I'll have sand and rock in it. By 2015 maybe even water

Again thanks.

Allen

[Dentoid]

Yeah, I never understood why aquarium manufacturers make the stands as short as they do. When my wife and I were shopping, that was our biggest complaint. Reef tanks are a work of art and should be viewed at eye level. Even with my 90 Oceanic tank you have to bend over to get a good look. We need to rally for higher stands!

[Frankie]

Looks great Al! I will be keeping an eye on this thread for sure.
I would also go with the 2x250w. I have 2x175w now and am having to upgrade.

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by Dentoid

Yeah, I never understood why aquarium manufacturers make the stands as short as they do. When my wife and I were shopping, that was our biggest complaint. Reef tanks are a work of art and should be viewed at eye level. Even with my 90 Oceanic tank you have to bend over to get a good look. We need to rally for higher stands!

That's my thoughts exactly. I have looked and looked at stands and none seemed to be very "eye height friendly" so I set out to measure different stands. None I could find were tall enough to get the right viewing angle. So we measured the wall where it's going, figured where the top of the tank should be for optimum viewing, subtracted the height and came up with a stand height much taller than any other. They normally range from 24" - 33" tall but this stand is 40" tall which should be about right. I also didn't want to make it so tall that it's odd looking for those of us who aren't 6'4" tall. Didn't want my wife (5'3" ) to be looking directly at the bottom of the live rock I can't wait to see it come together. I'm excited and a little nervous. Since it's custom and I had a LARGE amount of "input" that leaves a LOT of room for errors I'm rallying for a taller stand by having it custom built.

Originally Posted by FFrankie

Looks great Al! I will be keeping an eye on this thread for sure.
I would also go with the 2x250w. I have 2x175w now and am having to upgrade.

I was afraid of that myself. I figured why skimp on it now. It's only $120 to go 250's and I would always be thinking "What if I HAD gone 250's instead of 150's?" Now I don't have to worry about that. Just about heat and I should be able to manage that easily as well. If I need a chiller so be it but I am hoping I can manage without a chiller and possibly use small fans in the canopy area. Time will tell.

thanks for tagging along and ALL of your input. It's GREATLY appreciated.

Allen

[BigAl07]

Glass cages called today and they are coming through a day earlier than expected which SHOULD be a good thing but it's NOT! They were supposed to come through on Saturday ( I don't work any weekends) but now it's Friday morning at 10:30am. Now I have to borrow a truck a friend and miss work. Grrrrrrrrr

Allen

[Dentoid]

It's all for a good cause! Tell your employer that you have the marine bug and are unable to come to work as it may infect others.

[Frankie]

LOL good one Scott i will remember that one when i have to justify why i can't go in one day. ( being self employed it will be easy to convince the boss )

[cioutlaw]

Looks like a great start Al! Stand is looking nice. GC was within 15min. being on time for me, sucks they are coming a day earlier & screwed up your schedule.

[bluespotjawfish]

I can't believe I just discovered your thread! Looks like you are having some fun! I think you will be happy with the 250s! I bought 175s and took them back! Fortunately I got them from someone who was willing to let me do that. I need to run several fans to keep the temp down, two inside the canopy and a larger one on top of it.

With the taller stand, I assume you already have a step stool ready to help with maintenance.

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

I can't believe I just discovered your thread! Looks like you are having some fun! I think you will be happy with the 250s! I bought 175s and took them back! Fortunately I got them from someone who was willing to let me do that. I need to run several fans to keep the temp down, two inside the canopy and a larger one on top of it.

With the taller stand, I assume you already have a step stool ready to help with maintenance.

yeah I figured I'd regret not adding the minimal amount of extra $$ and getting the dual 250's. Wish they came in 400's but that might be overkill for this tank.

I've already thought about fans and actually think I have some fan units in mind that I can get to work fairly easily. Good news is I can have my AC Jr. control them fairly easily.

maintenance> What's that? To be honest I was looking at this very handy step-stool ladder yesterday here in our store that's just right and it folds to less than 3" thick for storage. I may put that on my account later today so it doesn't get gone. It's ironic you said that because honestly a step-stool/ladder was NOT added to my "tank budget spreadsheet".

Allen

[bluespotjawfish]

I don't think that should count against the budget. I think you need it for something else around the house (cleaning windows, getting food out of the top cabinets). I'm sure you can find something to justify the purchase besides the tank.

With my new canopy I have put my stool away. Don't need it at all since my canopy now opens from the front and I am 5'11"! My stand is 34" tall, and if it were 6 more inches I'd need my stool again.

[BigAl07]

My canopy is supposed to open from the front as well but since it's now MADE yet I can't say for sure.


You are a tall lady... and my being a tad over 6"4" helps but I'd better get that folding ladder just in case. Would hate to need it and have to run down to the store in the middle of the night.

Allen