To Build or Not to Build? That is the question!

[HPfunk]

Hello, I’m a reefoholic who has been in remission for about 6 years or so. I’m planning on making a full blown return to my reefing ways and I want to make sure I do it right this time.
One of the main reason for my absence from the hobby was my wife was unhappy with the home that I was maintaining a 300 gallon system in, and requested we move. So between the process the actual finding a house/property that was acceptable (1.5years), the design and permitting phases (1.5 years), and construction (2years) we are good and settled in and have been in our current house for 1 year this New Years.
Before we even found the property I had a tank catastrophe when my MP40 splattered an inhabitant that proceeded to poison the entire tank. It was heavy and hart breaking. I knew we were moving so rebuilding immediately wasn’t an option, prompting me to sell everything. I buried the pain deep inside, and slowly forgot about the joy reefing brought me.
Flash forward to present.
Some equipment I didn’t sell because it was brand new never set up stuff.
Like this brand new (8year old) 60’x18’x21’ acrylic tank by Zero Edge.
Or this new old Trigger Sump
Or this new old Bubble King Skimmer

 

[HPfunk]

I also have some leftovers dry side Mp 40s and a 20

 

[HPfunk]

I probably have 300+ Lbs of live rock and who knows what else in my storage unit. I’m planning a investigatory trip for sometime this week.
I think I’ll start cooking rock as soon as possible.

 

[HPfunk]

My problem is this. This tank was supposed to be for my office way back a half decade ago and not my only tank. Knowing what I know now this tank isn’t the greatest for a reef. Also some fabrication issues that I wasn’t thinking of when the tank was built.
1. The two overflows each with one 1”drain and one 3/4” return.
2. Dry box only allows for one VorTech in the middle.
3. Acrylic is too thick for even MP 60
4. The tank is too tall for how wide it is
5. The overflow box takes up half the tank.

 

[HPfunk]

The whole point of this tank was the tank without wires running silently. Flow is going to be an issue.
The only way to use my EcoTech MP40s would be to place them on the bottom of the tank.
Are you allowed to do that?
What kind of flow patterns would happen if I placed on the bottom?
Would corals like it is the most important question?

 

[HPfunk]

If I can’t effectively place the MPs on the bottom then this tank is a bust. I’ll have to order something new and use this as a FOWLR or sell it. …and maybe sell the sump too because I want a fleece roller for sure. Actually I already ordered it for BRS and a whole bunch of other things too. Should be fun unboxing.

 

[tdyrkacz]

Sounds like you may want a new tank. BRS is selling a beautiful glass tank from Reef Savvy

180 Gallon Reef Savvy Rimless Aquarium and Maple Cabinet Stand

Need Help? Reefing experts are ready to help. Email: [email protected]: (763) 432-9691 180 Gallon Rimless Glass Aquarium with Ghost Overflow - The aquarium we've all been dreaming of! This luxury 180 gallon aquarium by Reef Savvy is sure to be the tank of any reefer's dreams...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I know it's pricey but you get what you pay for.

 

[HPfunk]

Sounds like you may want a new tank. BRS is selling a beautiful glass tank from Reef Savvy

180 Gallon Reef Savvy Rimless Aquarium and Maple Cabinet Stand

Need Help? Reefing experts are ready to help. Email: [email protected]: (763) 432-9691 180 Gallon Rimless Glass Aquarium with Ghost Overflow - The aquarium we've all been dreaming of! This luxury 180 gallon aquarium by Reef Savvy is sure to be the tank of any reefer's dreams...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I know it's pricey but you get what you pay for.

I’ve been eying that one. I’m a huge fan of reef savvy. Problem is that tank is a little too big for my space. I’m thinking of getting a quote for one with a steel frame because I want to DIY an epoxy slab like this one and use it for the cabinets doors.

 

[HPfunk]

Today I went on the storage container recon mission. The items are old leftovers from 300 gallon system I haven’t had running in years.

 

[HPfunk]

The rock is a mix a variety types of live rock (now dead) some huge pieces and some rubble. I think I’m going to go for the Tongo rock. I probably am saying that wrong but I can’t remember the names of the types of rock.

 

[HPfunk]

Most of the pumps look to be old and junkie. The cal reactor is missing tons of parts and otherwise most of my control and monitoring as well as the lights appear missing. One bright spot was a pair of MP40 pumps that I forgot existed. Even the wetsides appears ok.

 

[HPfunk]

The truth is my new little set up is in my man cave and I don’t have the luxury of the fish room I had on my last tank. So this time the gear is super important to me because I want it on display as much as the inhabitants.
Plumbing straight and beautiful and led backlit everything with hidden wires.
I feel like that means I need all new gear….

 

[sphinx15]

The tank is kinda the central part, hard to replace in the future... If you kinda don't like the tank now, you definitely won't like it in a year. I say get the perfect tank and go from there, it's easy to change out pumps and such later if you need/want too.

 

[HPfunk]

These were two R2R members tanks from a thread I found on Pinterest That apparently hasn’t had activity since 2019. I need to see if they are still here because I love the look and maybe they could offer pointers. Hopefully they don’t mind me reposting them.

 

[sphinx15]

That first one is Broadfield's tank

Build Thread - Broadfield's Red Sea Reefer 450 Build - OCD Inspired... Going Back To a Reef

Current state of tank: FTS by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr FTS + Stand by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr IMG_6030 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr I am absolutely no stranger to posting build threads on a forum, just not of a reef tank... it's always been of vehicles.:) So this is my first! I...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[HPfunk]

That first one is Broadfield's tank

Build Thread - Broadfield's Red Sea Reefer 450 Build - OCD Inspired... Going Back To a Reef

Current state of tank: FTS by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr FTS + Stand by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr IMG_6030 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr I am absolutely no stranger to posting build threads on a forum, just not of a reef tank... it's always been of vehicles.:) So this is my first! I...

www.reef2reef.com

The reason the other one was interesting to me was the bent pvc pipe using heat. Is this safe? Broadfield’s tank is definitely an inspiration to what I’m trying to do next.
Thanks for the link

 

[sphinx15]

The reason the other one was interesting to me was the bent pvc pipe using heat. Is this safe? Broadfield’s tank is definitely an inspiration to what I’m trying to do next.
Thanks for the link

Quick google search say yes, you can bend pvc, but I've never actually seen that before

 

[HPfunk]

One of the issues with my build is MP40 placement. The dry box allows me to place one or two at the center and run the cord through the bottom. Unfortunately all other panels are too thick except the bottom.
Plywood stand will need to be replaced or heavily modified. Also have a single new wet side ordered so I can test these 5 pumps I have.

 

[HPfunk]

The tank is kinda the central part, hard to replace in the future... If you kinda don't like the tank now, you definitely won't like it in a year. I say get the perfect tank and go from there, it's easy to change out pumps and such later if you need/want too.

I agree that the tank is hard to replace. My plan is this; set up my current setup to reintroduce myself to reefing, and add tanks to other places in the home. So instead of replacing this system when I upgrade, this system can remain as my quarantine tank. I really actually love the look of my aquarium. The size (80 gallon) was just right and the craftsmanship of the build is fantastic. The design does leave me wondering what I was thinking about at the time but it is totally workable.
When I build this tank I was planning on an NSA aqua scape LPS tank. I’ve never done anything except the overfilled rock wall design. With snow on the ground it was a little too cold to work outside, but as soon as I can I plan to soak the rock in acid then bleach then get it cycling in the brutt trash can that used to be my RO top off rig.
Need to figure out at what stage to actually assemble the aqua scape and fasten it into 3 or 4 pieces.

 

[HPfunk]

Stuck at home today because I tested positive for Covid. I figured might as well work on the tank stand.

I would much rather have a steel stand but I’ll make this new old sand work. In general I don’t trust these particle board stands to last the 10 years that I plan to have this set up.

Had to hack out a bunch of the crappy stuff and going back with real wood.
While working on this a small order from BRS showed up and I couldn’t resist taking a peek.

I splurged/ jumped the gun a little and purchased a ATI Straton to see if I like it before I get the remaining lights.
I still have a ton of stuff to purchase but this order was for measurements and planning purposes.