My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle - Page 5

LivingTheDream · 01-23-2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

and then just to muddy the waters lol, scrap the overflows altogether and have a zero edge tank muhahahaha!!

I originally thought about getting a ZeroEdge, but when I went to see one set up at the LFS.... In my opinion, I wasn't impressed.

LivingTheDream · 01-23-2008, 07:41 AM

OK, I did some thinking last night, and I have decided NOT to go with a closed loop system. I do think they are very trick and clean looking, and I might do one in the future, but for this build I decided against doing one for 2 reasons.

1. Space. This build is already space restrictive. The deal I have with the wife is that I can spend the money that I want, as long as she can pick the place to put it. With that being said, she chose an area in our breakfast nook. Having a 48x30x24 is the absolute biggest tank I can put there without making that area really look like crap. Not wanting to sacrifice any further tank space, means that I have no room for any extra plumbing.

So I will be going with some internal powerheads.

2. Possible Leaking. One of the reasons I chose to go with an acrylic tank was to drastically reduce the chance of a compromised seam, or manufacturers defect. Not like anyone wants a leak, but I have zero room to have any type of leak. This tank will be on the second floor so leaking is not an option.

So...... I feel we are making some progress here. We have the tank material, tank size, and how we are going to get flow... Now I just have to decide whether or not to compromise more width by going with a coast to coast, or just to do a central overflow and have some more tank space. The coast to coast definitely is more trick and clean, but then I would loose 18 gallons of internal space... This is going to be a hard one.....

tbittner · 01-23-2008, 08:24 AM

If you don't have room to put 90 degree elbows behind the tank then I don't think you have a choice but to go with a central overflow and have it drain through the bottom. The return is also going to have to come up from the bottom.

LivingTheDream · 01-23-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbittner

If you don't have room to put 90 degree elbows behind the tank then I don't think you have a choice but to go with a central overflow and have it drain through the bottom. The return is also going to have to come up from the bottom.

Thats exactly what I have been thinking... I really wanted to be able to trick this tank out, but space restrictions seem to really be hindering me.

boozeman · 01-23-2008, 09:13 AM

you can still trick it out... the center overflow can be trapezoidal and the returns can come out thru the sides using lockline to direct the flows across the tank

LivingTheDream · 01-23-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boozeman

you can still trick it out... the center overflow can be trapezoidal and the returns can come out thru the sides using lockline to direct the flows across the tank

You read my mind Robert. I was just doing some brainstorming and was thinking the same thing.

As far as the holes that need to be drilled for the overflow.... Are they normally all the same size in each tank, or are the hole diameters specific for each individual tank and flow needs?

To be more specific.... What size holes should I have for my overflow and returns?

sasquatch · 01-23-2008, 09:34 AM

you do realize there IS 5'' of space inside the wall?

boozeman · 01-23-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

you do realize there IS 5'' of space inside the wall?

heheee....you are evil

LivingTheDream · 01-23-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

you do realize there IS 5'' of space inside the wall?

Please don't tempt me!!! I don't want to be evicted

tbittner · 01-23-2008, 10:19 AM

I was thinking the same thing. A few 2" holes in the drywall, a pipe run up through the wall, and out another 2" hole. With the tank pushed back against the wall, who would ever see it???

boozeman · 01-23-2008, 10:24 AM

16'' between studs, good size for an external overflow....do you have enough room in the budget for a nice comfy sofa to sleep on once the wife sees the hole in the wall ?

framerguy · 01-23-2008, 10:37 AM

You guys are trying to get Chris in lot's of T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

LivingTheDream · 01-23-2008, 10:44 AM

Wish I could.... The wall behind the tank goes to another bedroom... The one I will be sleeping in if I start running a saw through it..LOL. Like I said, space is very restrictive.

panmanmatt · 01-23-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivingTheDream

Wish I could.... The wall behind the tank goes to another bedroom... The one I will be sleeping in if I start running a saw through it..LOL. Like I said, space is very restrictive.

Well if it's gonna be your room, may as well just cut a big hole and make it an in-wall tank. This way you will at least have something to look at while in that room.

If you're gonna get in trouble for a little hole then may as well go big and make it enjoyable.

LivingTheDream · 01-23-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panmanmatt

Well if it's gonna be your room, may as well just cut a big hole and make it an in-wall tank. This way you will at least have something to look at while in that room.

If you're gonna get in trouble for a little hole then may as well go big and make it enjoyable.

Man... I'm getting it from all angles here!!!

I tried to convince the wife to let me cut a hole in the dining room wall to put a 210.... Needless to say, thats not going to happen. I got to admit... At least she's not like most. I can get away with doing almost anything and not get a scorn. Relationships are 50/50 and her name is on the deed, so I guess I can give in a bit on the location and its parameters. Hey... Maybe if this build goes good, then maybe she will let me knock the dining room wall down

01-23-2008, 07:41 AM	#62 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle OK, I did some thinking last night, and I have decided NOT to go with a closed loop system. I do think they are very trick and clean looking, and I might do one in the future, but for this build I decided against doing one for 2 reasons. 1. Space. This build is already space restrictive. The deal I have with the wife is that I can spend the money that I want, as long as she can pick the place to put it. With that being said, she chose an area in our breakfast nook. Having a 48x30x24 is the absolute biggest tank I can put there without making that area really look like crap. Not wanting to sacrifice any further tank space, means that I have no room for any extra plumbing. So I will be going with some internal powerheads. 2. Possible Leaking. One of the reasons I chose to go with an acrylic tank was to drastically reduce the chance of a compromised seam, or manufacturers defect. Not like anyone wants a leak, but I have zero room to have any type of leak. This tank will be on the second floor so leaking is not an option. So...... I feel we are making some progress here. We have the tank material, tank size, and how we are going to get flow... Now I just have to decide whether or not to compromise more width by going with a coast to coast, or just to do a central overflow and have some more tank space. The coast to coast definitely is more trick and clean, but then I would loose 18 gallons of internal space... This is going to be a hard one..... __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

01-23-2008, 08:24 AM	#63 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,082 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle If you don't have room to put 90 degree elbows behind the tank then I don't think you have a choice but to go with a central overflow and have it drain through the bottom. The return is also going to have to come up from the bottom. __________________ Terry My chronicle 120g with 300g sump/refug, Outer Orbit HQI/T5HO 24-Hour Light System: : 48" 250W HQI 4x54W Lots of fish. 150g predator tank full of killers. 450g tank is IN the HOUSE!

01-23-2008, 09:34 AM	#67 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,508 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle you do realize there IS 5'' of space inside the wall? __________________ DIY stuff for my tank stand, 100g tank,rock lift, overflow, foam walls, closed loop,lighting reflectors, 50gal sump, bubbletrap and sock holder, ato bracket,kalk bucket and reservoir, 40gal fuge, fuge lighting, remotish dsb raceway, turf algae raceway, dual pumped recirc skimmer, more to follow. Barb ripped my sig

01-23-2008, 10:19 AM	#70 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,082 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle I was thinking the same thing. A few 2" holes in the drywall, a pipe run up through the wall, and out another 2" hole. With the tank pushed back against the wall, who would ever see it??? __________________ Terry My chronicle 120g with 300g sump/refug, Outer Orbit HQI/T5HO 24-Hour Light System: : 48" 250W HQI 4x54W Lots of fish. 150g predator tank full of killers. 450g tank is IN the HOUSE!

01-23-2008, 10:37 AM	#72 (permalink)
framerguy Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 2,926 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle You guys are trying to get Chris in lot's of T-R-O-U-B-L-E! __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) 75g Main, 55g Fuge w/DSB/+-25#LR, 25g Sump, turboflotor skimmer, 2x250w MH(9hrs/d), 4x65w PC(14h/d), 950gph mag drive/seaswirl return, 100# LR, 3" SB chronicles-akwareum (\___/) This is Bunny. (=O.o=) Copy and paste him into your signature (")__(") to help him gain world domination

01-23-2008, 10:44 AM	#73 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Wish I could.... The wall behind the tank goes to another bedroom... The one I will be sleeping in if I start running a saw through it..LOL. Like I said, space is very restrictive. __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

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