New ?150

[sleasia]

I picked up the practically free tank...its not a 240 as the wife said but appears to be a 150 gallon...6ftx24"deepx20" high.....on a metal stand, which I will likely dump. I plan on building a stand. Now here are a few questions I need some votes on... Obviously I will have to go reef on one tank... here are my questions.
1) can I put a 150 reef on the second floor? I don't think I can get it in the basement, so it goes either upstairs in the master bedroom or in the family room on a slab floor.
2) I know I have to do sand substrate....but do I go deep 4", or shallow sand? given that the tank is not very high, only 20", or no sand and only live rock.
3) If the tank goes in the family room, can it sit under skylights (I realize I will probably have to get another chiller) is this good or bad. and what type of mh lighting will I need for a 20" high tank and how many for a 6ft long tank.
4) I will probably just dupe the same equipment I have already running on my other tank, panworld pump, pacific coast chiller, turbo twist uv, home made wet dry filter, and asm skimmer. but will likely add a fuge.
5)I want to do some diy live rock. where do you get the oyster shells you mix into the portland cement? and how long do you need to cure the diy rock before placing it in the tank. just until ammonia and nitrite is 0? I will likely use it as base and add some real lr on top.

 

[kalied20]

Second Floor?????
weight of the tank? XXX lbs.
weight of 150 gallons of saltwater 1275 lbs.
Sand +/- 120 lbs.
Live Rock +/- 200-300 lbs.
equipment =/- ??????
EQUALS ALOT OF WEIGHT FOR the 2nd floor
If you have any friends that are builders or carpenters I would ask them to take a look before putting a 150 gallon on the 2nd floor.

 

[crzyfshygy]

I know a guy that has a 180 gl in his living room with 250lb of LR. He also has a basement underneath. You need to check the floor structure

 

[sleasia]

Well...the only reason I was thinking of putting it upstairs is so that it doesn't crowd the family room. However, it probably needs to go in the family room since the floor is slab, and of course it will be much easier to move and set up there. I may even be able to hide the sump behind the wall in the laundry room.
What about the substrate. What are the thoughts on that. most people seem to go with deep sand bed, but I have seen many also say to stay shallow?

 

[seannmelly]

Originally Posted by sleasia
I picked up the practically free tank...its not a 240 as the wife said but appears to be a 150 gallon...6ftx24"deepx20" high.....on a metal stand, which I will likely dump. I plan on building a stand. Now here are a few questions I need some votes on... Obviously I will have to go reef on one tank... here are my questions.
1) can I put a 150 reef on the second floor? I don't think I can get it in the basement, so it goes either upstairs in the master bedroom or in the family room on a slab floor.
2) I know I have to do sand substrate....but do I go deep 4", or shallow sand? given that the tank is not very high, only 20", or no sand and only live rock.
3) If the tank goes in the family room, can it sit under skylights (I realize I will probably have to get another chiller) is this good or bad. and what type of mh lighting will I need for a 20" high tank and how many for a 6ft long tank.
4) I will probably just dupe the same equipment I have already running on my other tank, panworld pump, pacific coast chiller, turbo twist uv, home made wet dry filter, and asm skimmer. but will likely add a fuge.
5)I want to do some diy live rock. where do you get the oyster shells you mix into the portland cement? and how long do you need to cure the diy rock before placing it in the tank. just until ammonia and nitrite is 0? I will likely use it as base and add some real lr on top.
If it is 72x24x20, it sounds closer to a 180...
in my 125(72x18x20) my sand bed is between 2 and 3", theres about 125lbs of sand give or take. and as far as mh's go, you will be fine w/ 3x150

 

[sleasia]

thanks seanmelly...I'm thinking i may go 2-3" because it is a short tank only 20".

 

[lionfish1]

I had a tank that size on my main floor with a basement beneath which is pretty much like a second floor and didn't have a problem. I did have it against an outside wall however. Hope this helps.

 

[seannmelly]

Originally Posted by sleasia
thanks seanmelly...I'm thinking i may go 2-3" because it is a short tank only 20".
I personally am not a fan of tall tanks. I prefer the 20" height, that way I do not have to worry about the mh's penetrating. I think my sand bed is 2-3"...but between my diamond goby and yellow watchman, theres mountains and valleys everywhere lol. I try to smooth it out and make it flat but, I can only do so much lol.

 

[sleasia]

well, I have always thought that length is more important than height. so my tanks are mostly long...and everything else is whatever I can get. this new tank was practically free, so I can't complain too much about it....its just a lucky gift. and I'm thinking the 24"width will be nice for reef since i can get alot of rockwork in there.

 

[tosiek]

how olds the house? and pretty much as long as u lay it across 2-3 beams u should be more than fine with the weight and as long as its along the outside wall of the building. I deal with contracting btw. All depending on how old the house is. if its built in the 1930's and is in alot of humid/wet weather i would opt for a ground level place to set it up.

 

[seannmelly]

Originally Posted by sleasia
well, I have always thought that length is more important than height. so my tanks are mostly long...and everything else is whatever I can get. this new tank was practically free, so I can't complain too much about it....its just a lucky gift. and I'm thinking the 24"width will be nice for reef since i can get alot of rockwork in there.
Deffinately!!

free stuff is always the best stuff lol. Can't wait to see pix after you get it all set up!

 

[reefstar22]

I have my 125 on my main level. The floor has no problem holding it...i'd figure it weighs around 2700lbs.
You should check out my thread I put up a few days ago...about plumbing on my tank upstairs..and what all i have...i think you might find it interesting reading.
good luck,
~Chris

 

[lubeck]

I would go with 2" of sand if you are putting a sump/fuge in your laundry room. I wish i would have know i was going to move all my filtration to the basement and I would of put 2", instead I have 5" and takes alot of room from the fish and view area.

 

[tiluhill]

The tank is 150 gallons. The formula used to convert volume in inches to gallons is LxWxH/231. 72"x24"x20"/231=149.61038961038961038961038961039 (150 gal)!!!!

 

[reefstar22]

Remember that a deep sand bed is an extremely good thing if used CORRECTLY if not it can be an extremely BAD thing.
Deep sand beds are amazing if you have the correct water flow and nothing bothering it. including animals.
I myself run a 1 inch sand bed in my display for looks alone. In my basement in my ecosystem I run a 7 inch sandbed that is 3 feet long and 2 feet wide....this is UN TOUCHED by everything but water.... water can go in with a positive .4 nitrate..and leave at a .0 nitrate

...now my tank doesn't have that problem...just saying... but make sure you dont have 2 deep of a sandbed in your display... you or your animals may disturb it...and it will release horrible amounts of waste into your tank...and that will be no good :scared:
Good luck...and remember...put your live rock in first ..and THEN your sand...you dont want rock sitting on sand....thats a waste dump!