I'm thinking about a 250 gal system - help needed in design

[mcliffy2]

I started this thread in my local reef club forum, but figured I might get a little more advice here. Here is a rough sketch of my plan for an in-wall. Any tips on design would be appreciated. The current thought is a 60x30x24 (185 gal) + 75g or so sump. I was thinking about a 60x36x24 (225 gal), but I'm seeing that I can get a stock made 185 from Deep Sea Aquatics for about half the price of the 225, so I'm thinking this is the way to go and hopefully 30" should still be plenty of width for an open aquascape. The tank will be pretty heavy stocked with fish and 75/25 SPS/LPS

The questions to start out:

1. Any help with the in-wall part would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping that doing it with a ledge, rather than flush, will be easier, and allow me to install it with the current tank (which is against the wall where the in-wall would be) in place, so I can do a direct, tank-to-tank transfer.

2. Flow - I have 4 Tunze nanostreams (but I only plan to use the 2 6045s, and use the 6025s down the road for a frag tank. I'm thinking some large return (~2000 gph), and 2 vortechs on the 30" end pointing out so they flow towards the far end. This would be approx. 10,000 gph of flow. Do I need more?

3. Lighting - I would really like to go all T5, I'm thinking 10-12 5' 80W T5s, probably overdriven on an icecap ballast. Does this sound like a good plan?

4. Skimmer - From a value/quality standpoint, I'm thinking a ATI BM250 (or maybe the new Octo xtreme 250 if it gets good reviews). Or maybe the reeflo orca 200?

Any other advice thoughts, especially on the construction aspects, would be appreciated.

[mcliffy2]

Here is a photo of the wall where it will go, with the current tank in place.

[mcliffy2]

anyone?

[mcliffy2]

come on guys, Im itching to pull the trigger, but need a little advice here...

[MO Will]

Sounds like a nice plan

I am interested in a similar size aquarium so I will follow along

Will

[sugarbaker]

are either of the walls the tank will be against/in supporting walls? My worry is that you will be lacking an appropriate header over the tank/opening in the framing. You may need to have a post in the corner to hold a header on one or both walls.

[MO Will]

Just out of curiosity - what was the quote for the 185? Is this tank starphire?

Thanks

[mcliffy2]

Originally posted by sugarbaker
are either of the walls the tank will be against/in supporting walls? My worry is that you will be lacking an appropriate header over the tank/opening in the framing. You may need to have a post in the corner to hold a header on one or both walls.

They are definitely not supporting walls. Can you explain a bit more what a header is/does?

My thought was that I would actually recess the tank so it would sit entirely on the stand, rather than have it flush with the wall (how it is shown in the sketch). Then I'd build a ledge on the opening in the wall so it would like nice, but wouldnt actually need support in the wall. Does that make sense? Something wrong with this plan?

[mcliffy2]

Originally posted by MO Will
Just out of curiosity - what was the quote for the 185? Is this tank starphire?

Thanks

I was told by the guy that referred me that he paid about 900 + shipping for his 185 starphire. I should be getting a quote soon as I just talked to them on the phone today. I'll let you know what I hear back.

Also got a quote from Aquariums for You for a little bigger tank (36 width instead of 30) and it was about 1200 + 800 shipping door to door. another 800 for the stand. not cheap, but they seemed like they have a quality product.

[mcliffy2]

Here is sort of what I'm thinking with the recessed tank/bar idea. Does this look like it will work?

[MO Will]

Are you going to have a way to access the tank from the finished area? It would be nice to be able to feed the fish from the viewing area. I have seen some put a trap door above the tank

[mcliffy2]

Originally posted by MO Will
Are you going to have a way to access the tank from the finished area? It would be nice to be able to feed the fish from the viewing area. I have seen some put a trap door above the tank

Yup, I was planning a wood frame all around, just hadnt worked that in to the sketch yet.

[mcliffy2]

Update: I've sent out for quotes on various aspects...the tank, drywall work, even insurance was also able to refi my condo so it looks like I will have the green light to get going on this sooner than later!

[Flint&Eric]

hey mike got the PM and thougt i'd post here.

nice pick with the LEM piston stools!

are you set on in wall? i'm personally not a big fan, but the little bar does make it look a lot better. zebra wood would look killer.

if you can fit it the 36in would be great for aquascaping. what look do you want to go for?

eric

[Untamed12]

Have a look at my build thread. I think you will see a lot of similarities to your ideas. Hopefully, it will help you out!

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28436

[jwalsh1]

bbrantley's in-wall display turned out really nice. You might want to check out his build thread.

[mcliffy2]

Originally posted by Flint&Eric
hey mike got the PM and thougt i'd post here.

nice pick with the LEM piston stools!

are you set on in wall? i'm personally not a big fan, but the little bar does make it look a lot better. zebra wood would look killer.

if you can fit it the 36in would be great for aquascaping. what look do you want to go for?

eric

I'd love to do a rimless tank viewable from the top, but for the depth I want and layout, it just doesn't make that much sense with the space I had to work with.

I'm definitely leaning towards 36", I'm already dreaming of the canyon and island I can create....

I just got this quote from Miracles, but I'm concerned that 1/2" glass isn't thick enough? or is it ok since its only 24" high and has the eurobrace?

all edges machine polished
5/8" tempered bottom with 3 holes
5/8" back
1/2" end
1/2" starphire front and end
U-shape overflow
4-1/2" eurobrace all around, notched where overflow is located to allow access into overflow
metal stand 60" x 36" x 36" high (1-1/2" tubing)
shipping included
$ 2924.00

[mcliffy2]

untamed and jwalsh, thanks for the links, very cool setups.

Also saw this months TOTM is an in-wall 2-side viewable tank, and it is a stunner.