So, I'll kick this off by saying that I have learned so much in the last few days on these forums that I'm now doubting every choice that I have made so far on this build.
There are a few controls that will not change:
Tank by American Aquariums - Acrylic 72" wide x 19" tall x 24" deep (1/2" sides, 3/4" bottom)
Aqueon Modular Flex Sump Model 4 - see attached photo - Currently set up with a center refugium and the Reef Octo in the return chamber.
Reef Octopus Skimmer with PSK600 pump (replacing with new due to an intermittent electrical current running through the tank - ZAP!)
AI Hydra light fixtures x 2 - older models which I am completely inept at programming correctly
Also have a 36" Current light fixture
Currently have 1 Hydor wave maker and several Current Loop Wavemakers - which frustrate me to no end
All of this gear is currently in use on a 90 gallon tank that I will break down upon set up of this new build.
My initial thought was to run the new tank with two internal overflows and two return pumps. One area that I want to improve on in the new build is improved gas exchange and balanced flow. IMHO, one overflow, as I have left justified in the existing tank, does not provide enough surface area to skim the water. It may be my imagination but I feel like one side of the tank is just cleaner than the other. The water just looks like it has a sheen to it that isn't as well circulated as I'd like. ;Happy
So, I was exchanging emails with Adam at AA in regards to where the two internal overflows would be and started to research plumbing plans by those who have gone before me. I had never heard of a ghost, coast to coast, a "herbie" or a "bean". (Mind blown) I also came across a thread regarding a reefer in the process of moving his tank to a new home. All of these things have me thinking that I have not been thinking enough! ;Wacky
I hope to move to a smaller home in 5 years. (Hubby thinks we will be here forever.) We have discussed designing the stand so it can be raised to place dollies underneath and rolled to a moving truck later. With that in mind, maybe plumbing from the bottom of the tank is a big, long term mistake (HUGE)? I am picturing lifting and moving a tank that has holes (bulkheads) on the bottom and what a potential nightmare that can be - in addition to the obvious residual water leaking all over a moving truck. ;Lurking Plan B?
With the new build, I will not have access from the back of the tank. It is going up against a wall in a family room and it will be visible from the front and the sides. Drain lines from the ACO will go through the wall to the vanity drain on the other side of the wall. RO water will fill the holding tank and top off tanks, which will be under the stand. The RO will come from under the vanity on the other side of the wall. I think I can overcome this by building a deeper stand with clearance behind for the pipes to come down. I'll post pictures soon of our woodshop - we've got that part down.
Option #1 would be to install some sort of external overflow. High Chief did a beautiful tank with an external from AA. Spectacular tank... I do wonder about those weir holes clogging and being accessible with eurobracing. I'm leaning towards this option, unless someone has an alternate suggestion. We'd basically have the same tank, but mine would be the regular meal and his was supersized.
Option #2 order some sort of ghost overflow... although most of these seem pretty small overall. Breaking surface tension is a big deal from my POV.
So begins my build ... and my build thread. The journey begins.
There are a few controls that will not change:
Tank by American Aquariums - Acrylic 72" wide x 19" tall x 24" deep (1/2" sides, 3/4" bottom)
Aqueon Modular Flex Sump Model 4 - see attached photo - Currently set up with a center refugium and the Reef Octo in the return chamber.
Reef Octopus Skimmer with PSK600 pump (replacing with new due to an intermittent electrical current running through the tank - ZAP!)
AI Hydra light fixtures x 2 - older models which I am completely inept at programming correctly
Also have a 36" Current light fixture
Currently have 1 Hydor wave maker and several Current Loop Wavemakers - which frustrate me to no end
All of this gear is currently in use on a 90 gallon tank that I will break down upon set up of this new build.
My initial thought was to run the new tank with two internal overflows and two return pumps. One area that I want to improve on in the new build is improved gas exchange and balanced flow. IMHO, one overflow, as I have left justified in the existing tank, does not provide enough surface area to skim the water. It may be my imagination but I feel like one side of the tank is just cleaner than the other. The water just looks like it has a sheen to it that isn't as well circulated as I'd like. ;Happy
So, I was exchanging emails with Adam at AA in regards to where the two internal overflows would be and started to research plumbing plans by those who have gone before me. I had never heard of a ghost, coast to coast, a "herbie" or a "bean". (Mind blown) I also came across a thread regarding a reefer in the process of moving his tank to a new home. All of these things have me thinking that I have not been thinking enough! ;Wacky
I hope to move to a smaller home in 5 years. (Hubby thinks we will be here forever.) We have discussed designing the stand so it can be raised to place dollies underneath and rolled to a moving truck later. With that in mind, maybe plumbing from the bottom of the tank is a big, long term mistake (HUGE)? I am picturing lifting and moving a tank that has holes (bulkheads) on the bottom and what a potential nightmare that can be - in addition to the obvious residual water leaking all over a moving truck. ;Lurking Plan B?
With the new build, I will not have access from the back of the tank. It is going up against a wall in a family room and it will be visible from the front and the sides. Drain lines from the ACO will go through the wall to the vanity drain on the other side of the wall. RO water will fill the holding tank and top off tanks, which will be under the stand. The RO will come from under the vanity on the other side of the wall. I think I can overcome this by building a deeper stand with clearance behind for the pipes to come down. I'll post pictures soon of our woodshop - we've got that part down.
Option #1 would be to install some sort of external overflow. High Chief did a beautiful tank with an external from AA. Spectacular tank... I do wonder about those weir holes clogging and being accessible with eurobracing. I'm leaning towards this option, unless someone has an alternate suggestion. We'd basically have the same tank, but mine would be the regular meal and his was supersized.
Option #2 order some sort of ghost overflow... although most of these seem pretty small overall. Breaking surface tension is a big deal from my POV.
So begins my build ... and my build thread. The journey begins.