Chgoblknazn's Tank Build Thread

KeishaKornbread

KeishaKornbread

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Keisha Kornbread's Fabulous Tank Build Thread

chgoblknazn said:
Folks,

I’m new to the reef forum but have been doing a lot of reading and researching. I’ve successfully kept freshwater and saltwater fish only tanks in the past but bowed out of the hobby once I left for college over 15 years ago. I’m looking to dive into a smaller reef setup with mostly inverts and maybe some tiny fish.

I’ve already purchased my sump/fuge and it’s a 15 gallon acrylic unit that measures 24” w x 9” d x 15” h with 3 compartments. I’ve yet to order my tank and stand due to the exacting specs I need the setup to fit into my living room. I’ve been researching my behind off to make sure that the tank fits my needs and doesn’t overtake the aesthetics of my pretty modern flat in the city. I want the tank to enhance and blend with my current décor and not overtake or compete with anything in my living space. The tank’s back will be really close to a corner wall and the front of the tank will be flush with the arm of my left facing chaise of my sectional.. To access the sump and cabinet, I will have to move the sectional pieces, but I am fine with this.

I’ve decided on a custom acrylic tank and stand that measures 32” w x 12” d x 16” h. The stand would be around 30” h. This would allow the sump to fit inside the stand. I’m planning to have the tank predrilled with a horizontal overflow with no teeth. I’d prefer the water to sheet into the overflow as to provide some initial skimming of the display tank. before sending the water to the sump. From what I have gathered, a 1” bulkhead fitting will yield a waterflow of 300 gph being sent to the sump.

As I don’t want to be restricted to what I can keep in this tank, I am planning on lighting the setup with an AI SOL Nano, AI SOL Blue or the new Maxspect Masarra. LED dual fixture I’m going hard with the lights, as it seems to be the most important factor when deciding what I can put in the tank and it can grow with my needs as they change in time. I’d rather spend the big bucks initially and do it right then have to rebuy later.

Return pump will be Eheim and I haven’t decided on an in-sump skimmer or a heater yet, as there are plenty of good options. I’ve been planning my setup going back and forth with Old Town Aquarium with quotes on the tank and stand, as I don’t want to jump into this overly excited and making a big mistake without thoroughly researching and understanding as much as I can. They quoted my tank at $200 with $100 additional for the overflow and another $400 for the acrylic stand.

Everything will be purchased as my finances allow going forward. This will keep me from jumping the gun and moving too quickly without thoroughly thinking about my choices.

How does this all sound to you? I’m trying to get some feedback from some seasoned reefers as your experience is invaluable for a reefing newbie, such as me. I may think I have read enough and know enough, but I know better……and I am far from that.

Any advice on my choices would be absolutely welcomed and appreciated. I’m trying my best to not enter this very expensive hobby blindly and the more I know the better.

Thanks!!!

Walt
Click to expand...


So I've been researching and researching and researching some more. I've been visiting local LFS and reef shops and speaking with anyone who would lend me their ear. I passed on the BRS group buy to make sure what I wanted was exactly what I wanted and will participate in the next one. My wishlist is stocked with goodies.

My sump arrived earlier this week and I tested it and it has no leaks and I'm happy with it. Here are a few pics.
 
Your avatar is extremely disturbing,why not put something reef related?

Oh i did not read anything duer to disturbing avatar.
 
It's Here....

So I finally decided on the size of my tank and of course I went bigger than my planned build. I put my order in to Glass-Cages and the tank and stand arrived today. They had a delivery for the Brookfield Zoo on the truck and I met them there to pick up my goodies.

The tank I decided on is 36"W x 12"D x 18"H. It's a rimless 29 gallon with black silicone and a Starfire front. The stand is an oak enclosed stand with a liftoff front and side door for access to the sump I bought a while back. The silicone is still curing so I can't fill it for a few weeks but I am taking my time so I can order the rest of the equipment.

So far, I have purchase 20lbs of BRS Pukani, an Eheim 1260 return pump, a 200W Jager heater, Marine Depot Refractometer, Captive Purity RO/DI system, 700GPH Glass-Holes overflow, API Reef Master Kit.

I'll be attaching some pics of the stand shortly. I'll take some pics of the tank after I catch my breath. Hauling this tank up 20 feet of stairs has me exhausted and funky.
 
As for Glass-Cages, I ordered this tank on Monday morning and the price was really reasonable for the stand and tank compared to the quotes I received from several local manufacturers and LFSs in the area. One shop on Wells was pushing for acrylic and I thought I wanted acrylic for a rimless tank with no eurobrace but the price was astronomical. With eurobrace, it was reasonable without an overflow. Other local manufactures wanted too much or I would have to take the time and spend the money to drive to Michigan, which added to the cost.

The stand they quoted me was ridiculous for acrylic. I am not handy nor do I have tools, so making a stand was out of the questions. Quotes from local carpenters and cabinet makers exceded the price GC charged me for the stand.

I wanted glass for the ease of cleaning and being less prone to scratching and it was important that my tank be rimless. GC also won out because they were delivering to the Chicago area on the 13th, which they had moved up to the 10th. That meant no driving for me. Yay. I could use my parent's minivan and just meet them wherever.

Anywho, the delivery had a snafoo. I woke up late and got to the pick-up spot in Monee, IL an hour late. They had already left but the driver told me he would be at the spot in 45 minutes. So I waited. After 45 min, the drive calls me to tell me that they are at the pick-up spot. I'm looking around but see no truck at all. I then ask where is he exactly. He tells me Brookfield, IL. I'm like OMG. Apparently the office never called me to tell me that I would now have to pick the tank up at the zoo, which was their other pick-up spot. I was an hour away, and that spot is actually 15 minutes from where I live in the downtown area. I wasn't upset, because it was my fault for being late anyways.

So I hit the road and meet them at the Zoo. Apparently, they had a delivery for the Zoo who orders from them as well. The drivers apologized a million times for the miscommunication, which was the office's fault, and not theirs. It was cool. I was just excited to have my tank. They loaded the stand and tank into my minivan and I flew home.

After lugging it into my flat, I inspect the tank and it it's what I expected. It's built like a tank and the glass is at least 1/2 an inch thick. I was expecting plastic trim on the bottom but there is none, which is what I wanted. I have read the reviews on their tanks and the customer service so I was prepared for a few things.

Some people have noted that the buyer sometimes has to take a razor and clean up the tank a bit, and I will definately have to do that for the bottom of the tank. The sides aren't horrible but there will need to be some cleanup which is fine. They got the tank to me quickly so I know it was a bit rushed and the silicone needs to cure a bit. The edges are all aligned and there are no cracks, which is more important.

For under $600, I am pleased. Now comes the hardest part....waiting. :afraid:
 
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