Well it has been 3 years since I sold off my last tank which was a 60g Oceanic Cube. I really like the depth that the cube offers while still keeping the overall volume to a more maintainable level. I always regretted selling off my entire setup, and giving away almost all of my misc. fish gear. What really got me motivated was my 18 month son and his love for animals. We were at the zoo and he just loved the giant Koi tank they had at the children's section. I'm hoping that he will really enjoy the tank and while keeping him safe from the tank and the tank safe from him.
I found this new tank a couple of weeks ago and it was listed as a 24x24x16 tank which was almost exactly what I was looking for. Well after committing to the tank I go to pick it up and noticed it was a little short and come to find out it is actually only 24x24x12 tank. Overall I still like the tank, but right out of the gate I can see that the height will be an ongoing issue. I may have to eventually custom order a tank along those lines. I did however build the stand so it should be able to accommodate a 30x24 tank and it can definitely handle much more height/weight as it is very overbuilt. I even told myself after my last build that I wouldn't overbuild, but I couldn't resist a strong frame and heck at $2 per 2x4 who can resist adding more right? After all for only 30G the 3/4 inch plywood alone could support that weight.
So here is the start of what I hope is a another long term affair into reef keeping. I met a lot of great people in my long run here on the board under "Salty75" and look forward to seeing all the new faces. I had to start a new member name because apparently after being idle for a long period you get purged from the membership. For the new system I plan on a mixed reef tank and several reef friendly fishies, yet to be determined. I already have almost all of the equipment purchased and am just waiting for the stand and aquarium to be completed. So here is my list of where I am now and I'll try and keep posting on what I am planning on.
• Tank: 30g 24x24x12, predrilled (in awful spots midway down tank but I think I can work with it)
• Stand: Weight approximately 2 tons, 30x24x36 framed in 2x4's and will soon be skinned in 3/4 oak plywood (I had that already in garage already or else I would use 1/2 inch)
• Sump: Standard 15 gallon tank 24.5x13x13 with two dividers that are slanted slightly for water to pour in to middle return. It is skimmer>return<refuge with the drain going into skimmer area and small pump running from return through canister to refuge which flows back into return.
• Skimmer: SWC model SCA-303 which is basically a Bubble Magus cone clone
• Light: 120w LED enclosure with active fan cooling. This appears to be identical to the “evolution” series lights but at a cheaper price point. It uses 40 3w Bridgelux bulbs.
• Controller: I have a ReefKeeper Lite (RKL) basic model that I haven’t quite decided what all I want to use it for (open for suggestions).
• Substrate: I already have some live sand and I intend on running about ½ to ¾ inch deep in tank. I also have total now about 40 lbs. of live rock curing in a salt tank with some snails keeping it all tidy.
• ATO: Already built the switch plate from acrylic that will hang over the side of the sump and this will also hold my RKL temp probe. I have room for a 5 gallon standard jug and will feed it by a Tom’s aqualifter.
• Pumps: Circulation will be provided by a Koralia 750 and hopefully soon Tunze nanostreams (6025 or 6045). I plan on going low flow for the sump, so maybe as small as 300 gph, still deciding on this.
I’m sure I left off a lot of information but I plan on trying to keep this posted as my system evolves. I do have several years experience with saltwater tanks, but am always open for great ideas and areas for improvement so don’t be afraid to offer advice or constructive criticism. I also forgot to mention I do have a JBJ 12g nano up and finished with it's cycle so it is nice to have this as a holding tank as I find suitable inhabitants.
I found this new tank a couple of weeks ago and it was listed as a 24x24x16 tank which was almost exactly what I was looking for. Well after committing to the tank I go to pick it up and noticed it was a little short and come to find out it is actually only 24x24x12 tank. Overall I still like the tank, but right out of the gate I can see that the height will be an ongoing issue. I may have to eventually custom order a tank along those lines. I did however build the stand so it should be able to accommodate a 30x24 tank and it can definitely handle much more height/weight as it is very overbuilt. I even told myself after my last build that I wouldn't overbuild, but I couldn't resist a strong frame and heck at $2 per 2x4 who can resist adding more right? After all for only 30G the 3/4 inch plywood alone could support that weight.
So here is the start of what I hope is a another long term affair into reef keeping. I met a lot of great people in my long run here on the board under "Salty75" and look forward to seeing all the new faces. I had to start a new member name because apparently after being idle for a long period you get purged from the membership. For the new system I plan on a mixed reef tank and several reef friendly fishies, yet to be determined. I already have almost all of the equipment purchased and am just waiting for the stand and aquarium to be completed. So here is my list of where I am now and I'll try and keep posting on what I am planning on.
• Tank: 30g 24x24x12, predrilled (in awful spots midway down tank but I think I can work with it)
• Stand: Weight approximately 2 tons, 30x24x36 framed in 2x4's and will soon be skinned in 3/4 oak plywood (I had that already in garage already or else I would use 1/2 inch)
• Sump: Standard 15 gallon tank 24.5x13x13 with two dividers that are slanted slightly for water to pour in to middle return. It is skimmer>return<refuge with the drain going into skimmer area and small pump running from return through canister to refuge which flows back into return.
• Skimmer: SWC model SCA-303 which is basically a Bubble Magus cone clone
• Light: 120w LED enclosure with active fan cooling. This appears to be identical to the “evolution” series lights but at a cheaper price point. It uses 40 3w Bridgelux bulbs.
• Controller: I have a ReefKeeper Lite (RKL) basic model that I haven’t quite decided what all I want to use it for (open for suggestions).
• Substrate: I already have some live sand and I intend on running about ½ to ¾ inch deep in tank. I also have total now about 40 lbs. of live rock curing in a salt tank with some snails keeping it all tidy.
• ATO: Already built the switch plate from acrylic that will hang over the side of the sump and this will also hold my RKL temp probe. I have room for a 5 gallon standard jug and will feed it by a Tom’s aqualifter.
• Pumps: Circulation will be provided by a Koralia 750 and hopefully soon Tunze nanostreams (6025 or 6045). I plan on going low flow for the sump, so maybe as small as 300 gph, still deciding on this.
I’m sure I left off a lot of information but I plan on trying to keep this posted as my system evolves. I do have several years experience with saltwater tanks, but am always open for great ideas and areas for improvement so don’t be afraid to offer advice or constructive criticism. I also forgot to mention I do have a JBJ 12g nano up and finished with it's cycle so it is nice to have this as a holding tank as I find suitable inhabitants.
