My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle

LivingTheDream · 01-22-2008, 12:04 PM

Well ladies and gentlemen... I've finally came to a decision. I'm going to go acrylic. I've checked, and re-checked, and every pro points to acrylic.... except the possibilities of scratching (or definitive probability). Its lighter, stronger, clearer, virtually seamless, and cheaper to ship. As anal retentive about cleaning and keeping things orderly as I am (thank the Marine Corps for that), if anyone can possibly have as close to a scratch free acrylic tank I would like to believe that person would be me!

No enough about that. As far as the tank is concerned... First I am giving Jack a chance to give me a price... He has been so helpful on this forum and with the scores of PM's I have sent him over the past month that he rates a "first crack" at it. If for some reason I need to go elsewhere, then I will most definitely be going with Envision Acrylics.

From the research I've done and the people I have spoken to, they are by far the most superior Acrylic tank manufacturer in the US. Not to mention their CS is second to none. In fact, when you call, you actually talk to James... the owner! He's a really nice guy. After talking with him I came to the very important conclusion that I really don't know a lot about what I'm about the journey I'm about to embark on.

I have many years in freshwater, but my saltwater is limited to "plug and play" type tanks. This will be my first one off custom tank. With that being said, I AM GOING TO NEED ALL OF YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS WORK! So let me provide you with some info in order to pinpoint what I need.

The tank will be your standard 120g. 48x24x24. Although I wanted to go bigger, thats the biggest I can go with the room restrains my wife has put before me..LOL.

I want this to be a reef tank. I imagine it will be primarily SPS corals. With this info, what size overflow should I have? How many bulkheads do I need drilled out for proper flow?

At this point, I am not too concerned about what sump, or other equipment I will need. I am primarily concerned with the design of the tank. I want to do this right.... the first time! So please, any info in the direction I should go will be greatly appreciated!

boozeman · 01-22-2008, 12:11 PM

if you go custom...how about a lil wider like say 30-32''

AQTCJAK · 01-22-2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the praise &opportunity I agree 110% on what the green _____ (fill in the blank) will do. Semper Fi

LivingTheDream · 01-22-2008, 12:13 PM

I wanted to, but it would be pushing it for the space that it needs to fit into. I may be able to tweak it a bit, but its got to stay very close to that size.

P.S. how do I add this tread to my sig. so I just get the title, not the entire URL?

LivingTheDream · 01-22-2008, 12:14 PM

Your welcome Jack... I anticipate your quote!!

LivingTheDream · 01-22-2008, 12:27 PM

Your right Robert.... I will wait to hear back from Jack, for I already have pricing from James. If its still in my price range, I will check pricing for a 48x30x30 (187g). This is the absolute biggest tank I can put in the area alloted for the tank.

boozeman · 01-22-2008, 12:30 PM

48x30x24...going to 30 on the height will get ya with the lighting for sps

LivingTheDream · 01-22-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boozeman

48x30x24...going to 30 on the height will get ya with the lighting for sps

I see... Thanks for the tip!

tbittner · 01-22-2008, 01:28 PM

How so, booze? If he got 400w MH or the I4 Solaris, wouldn't that light reach even the bottom?

boozeman · 01-22-2008, 01:32 PM

with a 24'' you can get by with 250w mh...the 30'' would require a bump up to 400 and thus a higher electrical bill

LivingTheDream · 01-22-2008, 01:37 PM

See, thats good thinking. I want the biggest I can go for my area, and also keep it cost effective without skimping on performance. The price difference in the lighting may only be a few hundred, but the difference in electricity used would be in fact much greater... Good point Robert.

boozeman · 01-22-2008, 01:55 PM

well, if upfront price isnt an issue you can look into the solaris as Terry suggested...hmmm maybe Jack can get you a tank/solaris package deal

LivingTheDream · 01-22-2008, 02:00 PM

Well, in the long run money won't be an issue. I would rather pay more once, than eventually spend double or triple later because I didn't think it out.

However the up front money cannot withstand a large blow right now. I quit my job and am back in school. With that being said, at this point I need to start with the tank. At this point, the tank cost I can do. If I start going to crazy right now the wife will evict me!

michael_cb_125 · 01-22-2008, 02:04 PM

I cant wait for this thread/tank to really get going. I love the depth of my tank (31")
It really lets you get eye-level with everything.
But the lighting aspect is an issue. I am using the solaris I series. I figured I would put the money upfront and save in the long run.

LivingTheDream · 01-22-2008, 03:58 PM

OK... So we have the correct size now, 48x30x24, which now make this project a 150g. Now.... Overflows, how many, what size and where should it be placed?

01-22-2008, 12:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Well ladies and gentlemen... I've finally came to a decision. I'm going to go acrylic. I've checked, and re-checked, and every pro points to acrylic.... except the possibilities of scratching (or definitive probability). Its lighter, stronger, clearer, virtually seamless, and cheaper to ship. As anal retentive about cleaning and keeping things orderly as I am (thank the Marine Corps for that), if anyone can possibly have as close to a scratch free acrylic tank I would like to believe that person would be me! No enough about that. As far as the tank is concerned... First I am giving Jack a chance to give me a price... He has been so helpful on this forum and with the scores of PM's I have sent him over the past month that he rates a "first crack" at it. If for some reason I need to go elsewhere, then I will most definitely be going with Envision Acrylics. From the research I've done and the people I have spoken to, they are by far the most superior Acrylic tank manufacturer in the US. Not to mention their CS is second to none. In fact, when you call, you actually talk to James... the owner! He's a really nice guy. After talking with him I came to the very important conclusion that I really don't know a lot about what I'm about the journey I'm about to embark on. I have many years in freshwater, but my saltwater is limited to "plug and play" type tanks. This will be my first one off custom tank. With that being said, I AM GOING TO NEED ALL OF YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS WORK! So let me provide you with some info in order to pinpoint what I need. The tank will be your standard 120g. 48x24x24. Although I wanted to go bigger, thats the biggest I can go with the room restrains my wife has put before me..LOL. I want this to be a reef tank. I imagine it will be primarily SPS corals. With this info, what size overflow should I have? How many bulkheads do I need drilled out for proper flow? At this point, I am not too concerned about what sump, or other equipment I will need. I am primarily concerned with the design of the tank. I want to do this right.... the first time! So please, any info in the direction I should go will be greatly appreciated! __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

01-22-2008, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,112 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Thanks for the praise &opportunity I agree 110% on what the green _____ (fill in the blank) will do. Semper Fi __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...t-science.html Videos http://murrayproductions.org/DIY%20a...%20off%204.wmv http://murrayproductions.org/Reef%20...grass%2007.wmv

01-22-2008, 12:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle I wanted to, but it would be pushing it for the space that it needs to fit into. I may be able to tweak it a bit, but its got to stay very close to that size. P.S. how do I add this tread to my sig. so I just get the title, not the entire URL? __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

01-22-2008, 12:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Your welcome Jack... I anticipate your quote!! __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

01-22-2008, 12:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Your right Robert.... I will wait to hear back from Jack, for I already have pricing from James. If its still in my price range, I will check pricing for a 48x30x30 (187g). This is the absolute biggest tank I can put in the area alloted for the tank. __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

01-22-2008, 01:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,044 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle How so, booze? If he got 400w MH or the I4 Solaris, wouldn't that light reach even 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!

01-22-2008, 01:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle See, thats good thinking. I want the biggest I can go for my area, and also keep it cost effective without skimping on performance. The price difference in the lighting may only be a few hundred, but the difference in electricity used would be in fact much greater... Good point Robert. __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

01-22-2008, 02:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Well, in the long run money won't be an issue. I would rather pay more once, than eventually spend double or triple later because I didn't think it out. However the up front money cannot withstand a large blow right now. I quit my job and am back in school. With that being said, at this point I need to start with the tank. At this point, the tank cost I can do. If I start going to crazy right now the wife will evict me! __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

01-22-2008, 02:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
michael_cb_125 Manta Ray Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 3,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle I cant wait for this thread/tank to really get going. I love the depth of my tank (31") It really lets you get eye-level with everything. But the lighting aspect is an issue. I am using the solaris I series. I figured I would put the money upfront and save in the long run. __________________ 240 Gallon MIXED REEF SUPER TANK Well at least thats what I want it to be 240 Gallon Custom Made Starphire Tank Life Reef Custom Sump,Life Reef Skimmer, Little Giant Return, 2 1200gph Koralias, 2 1580 GPH Tunze Turbelles, 1 Vortec, 72" Solaris I series, PM Kalk Reactor, Custom Made Fug, way to many more things to list Jose say hello to your NEW LITTLE FRIEND!!!!!!!!

01-22-2008, 03:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
LivingTheDream Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle OK... So we have the correct size now, 48x30x24, which now make this project a 150g. Now.... Overflows, how many, what size and where should it be placed? __________________ Thanks for the help, Chris My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

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