Need help deciding on a tank.

[KLR]

I want to do a cube no bigger than 20-20-20, 75% SPS corals

I think it will be powered by a 12, Blue Sol led fixture

My 1st question is, should i go rimless? how fast would water evaporate under leds on a rimless tank?

I want the tank to have an elos look but not an elos price

Which of these make the closest to elos tanks?
Quality Custom Aquarium Manufacturer
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Should I do starphire? or is it not really worth it for the extra $$

Do I have to have a sump? or can i just run a canister filter?

What are you thoughts on this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^?

 

[Breakin Newz]

ReefSavvy does some good work, but have you though about going cast acrylic?

 

[KLR]

Not really but doesnt acrylic scratch really easy? im extremly paranoid about scratches on my fishtanks,hahah

 

[phi delt reefer]

go glass - doesnt scratch as easily
starphire is a waste of money unless you are using glass more than an 1/2 inch thick - yours will be built with 3/8s thick.
for an elos look ask for beveled edges, ground and polished (preferably machined, not by hand - much more consistant). you'll want a double glass base to get that rimless/braceless look, black silicone
sump for sure, canister filters are very limiting and the clean looks of an elos setup means all your equipment needs to go under the tank and into the sump.
I havent dealt with ReefSavy but everyone here swears by them - just make sure you are tell your builder what your expecations are and provide detailed drawings. More thorough you are the more risk you mitigate.

 

[Breakin Newz]

Not really but doesnt acrylic scratch really easy? im extremly paranoid about scratches on my fishtanks,hahah

Yes, but are you going Barebottom or sand? If barebottom there is not much to worry about scratch wise on acrylic IMO... Just becareful and you will be fine!

 

[clowns101]

Acrylic is much cheaper,locally,a 24x24x24 tank build out of 1/4 inch,with top braces,would cost me barley $100+tax.

 

[ScottyMcReefer]

i dont have rimless, i do have topless BC29 and honestly i have less water evaporate without the top on it. My only hypotheses would be the fact that there is now less heat buildup to make the water evaporate? Rimless looks more slick and up-to-date too ; )

 

[KLR]

Im going to have sand, i want a really clean looking tank, im going to spend alot of time making the scape, hopefully resulting in a really nice looking one..

I think im going to get a reef scavey tank

Any ideas on a good sump setup for it?

Ill sketch something up shortly

 

[m and m]

Lol non of those company's will come close to elos, IMO Reefsavy is the best out of the three but expect to pay at-least 1200-1500 shipped. glass cages will be the cheapest by fare but they are a slop job.

 

[KLR]

I would go classcages but i read that their silicone work isnt the best, and silicone is something to slack off on when making a tank imo

 

[NaClCrocodile]

/thread

 

[KLR]

NaCr. That is almost exactly what i want!

Do they do custom work? so i could drill an intake for the sump?

 

[NaClCrocodile]

NaCr. That is almost exactly what i want!

Do they do custom work? so i could drill an intake for the sump?

They don't do custom work IIRC. I have one of theirs though and making an overflow is really simple. Only their longest tank is tempered, so you have nothing to worry about. I wanted my overflow to be as small as possible as well as silent and the Herbie out of the back wall is perfect. If you'd like more info I can get into detail or just help you brainstorm.

 

[phi delt reefer]

Lol non of those company's will come close to elos, IMO Reefsavy is the best out of the three but expect to pay at-least 1200-1500 shipped. glass cages will be the cheapest by fare but they are a slop job.

really? a Brand new Elos Midi system (display tank, sump, skimmer, return pump, cabinet, etc.) is $1800 delivered. Carries full ELOS warranty and is approx 20x20x20 too.

Elos-tanks EO-MIDI Premium Aquatics - Elos-tanksEO-MIDI

i cant see that tank costing more than $300-$400. even with beveled edges. Call your local glass supplier and ask how much 5 panes of 20"x20" 3/8's glass costs with 4 pieces that have a beveled edge. Those are just rough measurements, you will need to accomadate for silicone thickness but just call to see what the cost is. If you take your time and tape everything have a good look look at how elos tanks look there is no doubt in my mind anyone can come with a comparable option on their own. its not like your building a 300 gallon tank!

have a look at this tank - this guy built it on his own with beveled glass he got from his local supplier. He did a great job!

Elos-tanks EO-MIDI Premium Aquatics - Elos-tanksEO-MIDI

 

[phi delt reefer]

sorry i meant look at this link for the diy tank build - マングローブラグーン - Nano-Reef.com Forums

 

[KLR]

I would build my own in a heart beat, but i dont trust myself enough, I dont think i have steady enough hands to do good silicone work either

 

[NaClCrocodile]

Dang, man it's easy as can be. What about a glass-holes kit? That tank, plus a glass holes kit shouldn't cost you nearly as much as a fully custom one.

Also, with the low-iron glass they use, you can see how far through the glass you are, so you can ease up as you're about to push through to the other side. That eliminates the only tough part, you can do it!

 

[KLR]

Ive never, not once built a tank, so i dont want my 1st to be a tank that i want to look very very clean and nice..........

 

[NaClCrocodile]

Yeah, I understand that. I had a friend of mine help me plan and drill the holes so it wasn't so bad. The tank I was talking about does come already built, so the only thing you'd do is drill the holes, tape off where the overflow silicone would stop, and then put a bead of silicone down. If you've got the money though, a custom built tank would be pretty nice I assume.

 

[KLR]

Yea, ill have to raise up some $$, but i guess i can just think about the tank until i have the $ to afford it,lol