12ft Tank Build Planning

[gms1234]

Hi All,

Looking at planning a 12ft tank build towards the end of the year.
Would be getting a custom built tank - 12ft x 3ft x 2.5ft High.
It would fit nicely in a recessed area of my living room, approx 1ft in the recess.

Currently I have a 6ft SPS dom heavy fish stocking, with full apex automation doing the reef moonshiners method.
I would be transferring across the fish and coral. I would have plan to increase the coral load but leave the fish more or less the same.
This new tank would have below tank sump, external to the sump would be ATO and Chiller (outside).

My plan so far is:
2x overflows weirs, one in each corner unless 1 is enough.
4x return lines - 2x return pumps. 1x chiller return and 1x uv return.

I am thinking a 6-8ft sump with large part (3-4ft) dedicated to a refugium and small section for some frags.
I am considering going for a triton style to remove the need for filter rollers as I can imagine on a tank this size I would be replacing them non stop. However am open to suggestions.

Flow,
Currently thinking of using wave makers. MP60's on each end and on the backwall. ?6 Maybe some gyros as well ?4x xf350's.
I am reluctant to use a close loop due to the fear of leaks with holes on the bottom of the tank. However it may make more sense.

Skimmer.
Reef octopus Regal 300 or SRO6000 external

Pumps
2x Abyzz A200 for returns or may look at other idea's of similar flow. (10,000 GPH total). Duel pumps for redundancy.
Neptune COR20 for chiller (Already Own)
Neptune COR20 for UV (Already Own)

Lighting
?8x XR30's (I currently have 4 G6 Blues) I'd like to look at the PRO's this time and will likely start with a mix.

Chiller
Teco tk9000
or maybe look at swimming pool chillers as might be a more economical option
I currently have a tk2000 on my 6ft with 800L total volume and it works hard. tk1000 didn't keep up on hotter days.
i'd like to consider 2x chillers but my current back up option is to run the house AC.

Heating
Maybe via the chiller.
Or 2x 1000w heaters. Should be ample for the weather where I am .

UV
Thinking a Pentair 150w would suffice,
I currently have a 57w but I think that will be too small.

Dosing
Currently have deltec 1500 calcium reactor. would keep that for now and once I hit the limit of it then upgrade to the bigger model
Kalk reactor.
5x Neptune DOS - 8 for reef moonshiners , 1x NOPOX and 1 line dedicated to pumping out my skimmate

ATO
Remote in garage and plumbed through roof,
Auto refill via apex and RODI unit.
Plumbed into kalk reactor.

Neptune
Apex
Trident
5x dose
Flow sensors for return, uv, chiller,
optical sensors for ATO, sump levels, skimmer full,
usual sensors.

Refugium
2x AI Fuge light = would need another or more to service a 3-4ft refugium (currently have 1x servicing a 1.5x1.5ft fuge)

Power
Have dedicated line for the current tank. would consider a second. Depending on power requirements. Easy enough to do.
Have Solar with 40kw batteries and generator in case of power outage.

Humidity
I'm not anticipating too much issue with humidity.
We have doors and windows open all day in a fairly open plan house. We rarely use aircon unless above 30c.
Average humidity would be around 70%.

I am interested in feedback and ideas.

 

[lapin]

Humidity
I'm not anticipating too much issue with humidity.
We have doors and windows open all day in a fairly open plan house. We rarely use aircon unless above 30c.
Average humidity would be around 70%.

Put a continuous duty exhaust fan in the tank room. Vent it thru the roof. You will be glad you did.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Humidity needs to be addressed. 12x3 =36 36 sq. Ft. Of water surface, lots of evap. I have around 600gs and a fish room. I just had my whole house in wall dehumidifier that is in my fish room fail. If it weren’t for the fact that I also installed a mini split in my fish room, I’d be screwed. My
Mini split is currently in dehumidifier mode right now. Over the summer I had to go a week with no mini split and no dehumidifier as I had more circuits pulled. By the 3rd day both my front and back door would no longer shut unless I man handled it. I do not have an in wall vent to pull air from directly above my display to the outside. That was a mistake, I thought because I have 3 windows in my fish room and one of those windows has a 12 inch fan pulling air out would suffice. Nope. Way wrong. Thank god, that when I did this I closed off the vents from my first floor hvac unit. I would have by now put a rust coating inside my vent system within a certain proximity to my fish room, which was my formal dining room before. I would take humidity very very serious if you are going to have a fish room and the display surface is exposed to your fish room.

Also, my display is 36” wide. I will never do a 36” wide tank again. 48” will be my minimum going forward. I am a hybrid lighting nut. I run T5, LED and Halide. I’m also only ones dom, so, even increments makes things easier.

 

[gms1234]

Humidity needs to be addressed. 12x3 =36 36 sq. Ft. Of water surface, lots of evap. I have around 600gs and a fish room. I just had my whole house in wall dehumidifier that is in my fish room fail. If it weren’t for the fact that I also installed a mini split in my fish room, I’d be screwed. My
Mini split is currently in dehumidifier mode right now. Over the summer I had to go a week with no mini split and no dehumidifier as I had more circuits pulled. By the 3rd day both my front and back door would no longer shut unless I man handled it. I do not have an in wall vent to pull air from directly above my display to the outside. That was a mistake, I thought because I have 3 windows in my fish room and one of those windows has a 12 inch fan pulling air out would suffice. Nope. Way wrong. Thank god, that when I did this I closed off the vents from my first floor hvac unit. I would have by now put a rust coating inside my vent system within a certain proximity to my fish room, which was my formal dining room before. I would take humidity very very serious if you are going to have a fish room and the display surface is exposed to your fish room.

Also, my display is 36” wide. I will never do a 36” wide tank again. 48” will be my minimum going forward. I am a hybrid lighting nut. I run T5, LED and Halide. I’m also only ones dom, so, even increments makes things easier.

I'll add ventilation to the list.
48" - I'll have a look at that. I like the idea of it fits..

 

[JumboShrimp]

What thought have you given to the actual delivery of a 12' tank? For example, I doubt a lift-gate on a truck can accommodate that length. If I could have managed the shipping logistics, that would have been my dream length (in a 12" shallow tank.)

 

[gms1234]

What thought have you given to the actual delivery of a 12' tank? For example, I doubt a lift-gate on a truck can accommodate that length. If I could have managed the shipping logistics, that would have been my dream length (in a 12" shallow tank.)

It's a good point. Moving my 6ft was a pain and I'd never want to do it again.
The quotes I've got include installation onto stand. Depends on glass thickness, some are built on site. Access it's decent, 1x awkward step off lawn onto deck then in through bifolds.
I did get one quote which was 2x price and requires me to pick it up from the port 1.5 hours away.

 

[adova]

Any thoughts on structural engineering for the floor? Are you on concrete?

I had a 30" deep tank once and promised myself I would not do it again. Practically had to go swimming any time I needed to work on anything on the bottom. But, the depth is nice otherwise!

 

[gms1234]

Any thoughts on structural engineering for the floor? Are you on concrete?

I had a 30" deep tank once and promised myself I would not do it again. Practically had to go swimming any time I needed to work on anything on the bottom. But, the depth is nice otherwise!

We are on ground level with concrete slab. Should be fine but will run past a mate who is engineer.

30" will be deep, and have it's own challenges but it will look awesome.

 

[gms1234]

So few changes have been made and the tank ordered and looking for a mid year delivery to align with some other works.

Have gone from 12ft long to 10ft, while 12 foot would be awesome however the practicality of maintaining it would be a challenge with the recess the back 1-2ft would be sitting in.
The width is going to be 1m or just over 3ft, I really wanted to make 4ft work but unfortunately it would just stick too far out into the room.

10ft x 3.3ft x 2.6ft height
or 3000mm x 1000mm x 800mm

For the stand, still looking at t-slot, will probably have a company design and supply the stand as a kit. The local supplier for raw materials is quiet expensive and cost different appears minimal at this point.

For filtration, i'm probably going to go with rollers, look at maybe 2x seatorch 300's at the moment.
Skimmer = seatorch um300 pro or reef octo regal 300-int
Lighting = currently have 4x xr30 blue, will add 6x xr30 pro then assess from there.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Great that you got the tank ordered. With the t-slot stand, do you prefer panels that hide everything down the bottom, or do you like to see your sump and all your gear?

 

[gms1234]

Great that you got the tank ordered. With the t-slot stand, do you prefer panels that hide everything down the bottom, or do you like to see your sump and all your gear?

Ill probably put panels on it eventually however I don't mind the look of a open sump. Currently I have my sump on display (middle 2 doors) and the ends either side are close with my dosing stuff in it. I intend on having a frag section down the bottom. Open will help combat moisture. The benefit of the tslot is that it should be fairly easy to add doors down the line. will be in the form of some kind of acrylic material most likely. No wood in this build.

 

[JumboShrimp]

You're speaking my language, now. I took my large middle door off my stand, because I like the sights-- and believe it or not-- the sounds under there. And it did help greatly with air flow (not having the stand closed up). With your t-stand, you could always throw the center panels back up when you have "company" come over.

 

[gms1234]

In terms of stocking. Have been coming up with some ideas.

Current stock that will move over.
Purple tang
Power brown
Tomni tang
Whitetail bristletooth
Sailfin tang
Mimic tang
Two barred rabbit fish
Zebra eel
5-6 blue green chromis
Mandorin
Tail spot blenny.
Stripy

Considering adding :
Powered blue tang
Gem tang
Atlantic blue tang
Blond naso tang
Achilles tang
Yellow tang
Copperband


Open to ideas, I will look at getting them early to add in all at once.

 

[TexAgReefer]

Really looking forward to following this!
With all of your tangs, have you considered a Fowleri Tang? https://www.marinecollectors.com/collections/tangs/products/fowleri-tang They're absolutely stunning, but require a larger tank. I have a 6' 235g but really wish I could get one.

 

[gms1234]

Really looking forward to following this!
With all of your tangs, have you considered a Fowleri Tang? https://www.marinecollectors.com/collections/tangs/products/fowleri-tang They're absolutely stunning, but require a larger tank. I have a 6' 235g but really wish I could get one.

Thanks for suggestion, they are a cool looking tang.. They don't seem too common here.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Yeah I am really looking forward to this build. I’m planning on doing a much larger build than my current 400g also. I’m getting closer to actual design. I learned so much on my first custom tank. But I am also watching several customer builds to see what craziness others are doing.

 

[gms1234]

Yeah I am really looking forward to this build. I’m planning on doing a much larger build than my current 400g also. I’m getting closer to actual design. I learned so much on my first custom tank. But I am also watching several customer builds to see what craziness others are doing.

It's alot of planning. I learnt alot of my first tank. This will be first custom build but I have a good idea of what I'm after. Planning equipment seems to be the hardest given the size and cost of it.

Currently in trying to find some decent info on the Chinese radions as a more economical option given I need approx 10 of them

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

That would depend what coral you are going to have in the display. Here I my lighting rack for my 96x36. Lighting and my flow were key. My flow is pretty intense. I bought 10 Radions used over 8 months. I’m glad I didn’t buy them new. I’m about to replace them all for Reefi 2.1’s. Make sure you understand load on your skimmer depending on your fish load and if you are going to use fleece. My skimmer is undersized because I use 2 1200’s. Per RE, you scale down a size if using rollers. I’m not even pushing my skimmer 25% of its available power. I’ve also simplified my system a ton. If I had to tighten my budget to make a project reach the finish line the 3 things I would make sure I invested in was 1) skimmer 2) Flow 3) lighting. In that order for a SPS tank. That’s me. Everyone is different. I will always have a hybrid lighting setup. I guess eventually I will flip my T5s for something. But I have enough bulbs and ballasts to last me 10 years. I’m running short of M80 ballasts (HQi).

 

[gms1234]

That would depend what coral you are going to have in the display. Here I my lighting rack for my 96x36. Lighting and my flow were key. My flow is pretty intense. I bought 10 Radions used over 8 months. I’m glad I didn’t buy them new. I’m about to replace them all for Reefi 2.1’s. Make sure you understand load on your skimmer depending on your fish load and if you are going to use fleece. My skimmer is undersized because I use 2 1200’s. Per RE, you scale down a size if using rollers. I’m not even pushing my skimmer 25% of its available power. I’ve also simplified my system a ton. If I had to tighten my budget to make a project reach the finish line the 3 things I would make sure I invested in was 1) skimmer 2) Flow 3) lighting. In that order for a SPS tank. That’s me. Everyone is different. I will always have a hybrid lighting setup. I guess eventually I will flip my T5s for something. But I have enough bulbs and ballasts to last me 10 years. I’m running short of M80 ballasts (HQi).

I'm going to be SPS dom without massive fish load, I don't really want to be chasing nutrients.
I have plan for flow sorted with wavemakers and will throw more at it if needed. skimmer and fleece plans in place that should work.


Doesn't look like I can get the Reefi lights in Aus, but can import them.
The second hand market is fairly small locally and fairly uncommon for radion's to pop up, usually their used price is $750-1000 for a G5.

Radion's are $1800 now,
A8Pro Max are $420,
Reefi $900 + Shipping ($230 for 1, or $1100 for 10)

I'm very tempted to throw on 10-12 A8's along with my current 4 xr30 blues and would expect that to be enough light, I might buy a couple to test out over the next few months before committing to all of them.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I would never spend that on Radions. No way. My tank is all SPS, it has 3 loops also.