BigAl's slow chronicle . . .

[BigAl07]

Ok here's the low down. I have the tank being built by Glasscages.com - Home and am supposed to meet them for delivery on Saturday Sept 1st (this coming Saturday). It's a 90 long Reef Ready (48" tank) with an included 29g (30x12 1/2 x 17 tall) sump tank.

This will be my first attempt at anything on this scale in a single tank. I'll have to take it slow and research EVERYTHING I need to incorporate into this system. So this will be a slow and ever changing build.

I'm going to start a chronicle here to get ideas and also to be able to look back and see how the finished project compares to what I now have in mind.

I am having a local custom cabinet designer build the stand and attached cabinet for it. It will be an "L" shaped unit with full height cabinets on the left side. He's decided to make it "modular" so that when I build our new home and we move into it the stand unit is modifiable. The cabinet unit is designed in a way that it comes off the left side and can be mounted on the right side if needed. Or it can be taken off completely and not used. He's incorporating removalble trim panels that can either be attached to the cabinet unit or to the sides of the stand. What an awesome idea. He's building the canopy to be modular so that any lighting I decide can be mounted in a number of different ways.

I am planning a sump/fuge in the 29g but I won't be able to make any purchases until I have the tanks in hand and can then see what's needed.

I want a good skimmer and have been reading a lot. I think I will probably go for an Octopus skimmer in the sump. Which one should I get and why?

For lights I am trying to be smart and go ahead and get the lights I want to have long term on this tank. I was thinking of a MH retro kit but then I like the idea of an all inclusive unit and may opt for Current USA 48 inch 250W HQI Outer Orbit with T5s & 250W HQI Bulbs . I like the idea of being able to house any coral I would like and will possibly have a clam later in the game. Thoughts?

Attached is a pic the cabinet builder just sent me of the cabinet thus far.. it's still in the rough stages but it's a good start...

[caitrina]

[ScubaDrew]

I'll be following along on this one Al!

[AQTCJAK]

Great start Al, Let the cabinet builder know the wieght will be between 900-1000#. The current retro kit is a nice kit. You do know my recommedation though LEDs. I would look in to a chiller for you retro kit though.

[BigAl07]

Follow along but note it's going to go slow... I don't plan on even adding WATER until I have EVERY piece of equipment in hand and ready to go. No rush (at least not yet ).

Jack, when we started estimating this project we were actually looking at a larger tank and I gave him an approximate weight of 1500+ #'s so he's building to that spec which should be on the safe side. His reputation for OVER building is a highlight to My using him on this one.That's why he's using solid lumber for all of the structure and will be "skinning" the unit for looks once it's a functional unit.

Yes I have seriously looked into and discussed the LED light fixture for this unit but have decided to wait and put THAT kind of equipment into our BIG tank once we build the house.

A chiller is a possibility for sure. It's on the equipment list but it's still under the "maybe" category for now.

[boozeman]

wow...that cabinet sure is looking nice

[BigAl07]

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


Current USA 48 inch Outer Orbit with T5s & 150W HQI Bulbs for $722

or move up to

Current USA 48 inch 250W HQI Outer Orbit with T5s & 250W HQI Bulbs for $841

both units have 2x54w Actinic 460nm / 2x54w Actinic 420nm and include 9 blue leds/9 white leds moon lights. So the only difference is dual 150's or dual 250's and about $120

[Dentoid]

Ahhhhhhhh! I admire you! Tagging!

[BEELZEBOB]

sweet. im suscribed to this thread.

[Dentoid]

Bob did you link it to the emergency bat phone so that where ever you are you'll be notified by a bat emblem in the sky?

[BigAl07]

[BEELZEBOB]

no, its a five leafed plant, and my fatbob outfit is white, purple and green

fatbob to the rescue,









cough

[InLimbo87]

Looks like a great start BigAl. Loving that cabinet so far

[BigAl07]

Thanks Ian. So far me too!!

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

As far as power heads go I am thinking some of these
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_search...koral ia.html but can't decide on what total movement I want. Any ideas?

Allen

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

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


Current USA 48 inch Outer Orbit with T5s & 150W HQI Bulbs for $722

or move up to

Current USA 48 inch 250W HQI Outer Orbit with T5s & 250W HQI Bulbs for $841

both units have 2x54w Actinic 460nm / 2x54w Actinic 420nm and include 9 blue leds/9 white leds moon lights. So the only difference is dual 150's or dual 250's and about $120

Ok I think I made up my own mind. I am going to opt for the 250's due to my tank being 24" deep.

Allen