Perfect size SPS tank?

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I'm thinking 2x2x6 or a standard 125g. Wouldn't be easy to light with t5s. But could with LEDs. Benefits? Detriments?
Any other suggestions? I'm planning a much larger tank in the near future and I want to get a tank that can be big enough for my addiction for quite awhile.
I think any bigger and it would be a hassle. Any smaller and it would be more difficult to find calcium reactors and less stable water parameters. Thoughts?
What about a display refugium for a tank such as this? thoughts?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I'd suggest more a cube size (design) tank.....The width of 2' is limiting IMHO, but that my personal opinion.....Even on a 6' tank wouldn't be hard to light it....Heck there have been way bigger SPS dominated tanks done with T5's.....Your awful gun shy of LEDs......

Size of the tank doesn't really dictate calcium reactor.....Consumption or usage validates the need for the equipment. Honestly not sure why you'd want a display refugium.......Even as a hobbyist paying another hobbyist a visit, I wouldn't pay or be drawn to the fuge one bit. Most non hobbyist care less about the real inner workings of a tank other than it looks pretty. Just my .02!!!
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Im thinking a standard 125 would be easy to build out of three sheets of acrylic with a beananimal overflow on the back. It's also not too deep and would get light to everything easily.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
A display fuge is purely for my enjoyment. I have sleeping problems and watching my tank at night helps me go to sleep. By having a display fuge on an opposite timer than the main display, I can watch it and calm my thoughts. I don't have many house guests at all. My hobby is my hobby. Lol.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Set and did some rough measurements of yields, and you'd be more efficient building a cube 48"x48"x24". You have less wasted material, and still yield a bigger DT than a 125.....The 125 dimensions are limiting with 18" front to back.....As far as lighting, what would be so complicated or hard to light a 24" deep tank.........
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Ahh. You know what? I thought a 125 was 2x2x6 but I'm thinking of a 180. I want a longer tank for tangs. I am also thinking that I want a wave of or some serious vortech action making waves.
Hopefully I can fix my netbook soon so I can do a google sketchup of the design I'm thinking of.
Your right. There's nothing difficult about lighting it. For the time being in this plan, I'll light it with t5s and that's the reason for not going higher than 24". But eventually I want to make it a sun lit tank on a greenhouse style patio. (and frag grow out system to save some money on the aquaculture)
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Tangs would be perfectly fine in a 4' x 4' cube as well......Still more swimming room then a 180......MP60's on a 180 would produce mad waves.......You seen what I could do with the small Tunzes I have on my tank.......
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Yeah. I had two 4x4 cubes at one time. Never really liked the look of em.
I'm thinking that I MIGHT increase the height by 4" for the waves and put a beananimal overflow on the back o the tank. I really enjoy watching the wave action. After watching some documentaries on coral reefs and seeing the surges, I jus don't think we are provinding enough flow in any of our tanks. At least not the right flow.
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
I regret doing a 125 and not a 180 because of the 18" depth. Hindsight is always 20/20 and at least it gives me another reason for an upgrade!
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I loved my 240, but it's too expensive to keep it going. I sold it off. A 180 I think is about as big as I would want to keep in the future.
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/390589/perfect-size-sps-tank#post_3459877
A display fuge is purely for my enjoyment. I have sleeping problems and watching my tank at night helps me go to sleep. That why they invented alcohol. By having a display fuge on an opposite timer than the main display, I can watch it and calm my thoughts. Just wake up the wife for that, nug nug. I don't have many house guests at all. My hobby is my hobby. Lol.
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Snake, I've heard that sentiment from a number of people I trust....that a 180 is the tank they "would go back to" of they could. Perfect combination of length, depth, and height. Makes me re-think my "dream tank" of 265 gallons.
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/390589/perfect-size-sps-tank#post_3460058
I'm thinking that I MIGHT increase the height by 4" for the waves and put a beananimal overflow on the back o the tank. I really enjoy watching the wave action. After watching some documentaries on coral reefs and seeing the surges, I jus don't think we are provinding enough flow in any of our tanks. At least not the right flow.
The problem with this in a closed system is that it has the potential of weakening the seams in our tanks. This is why I won't run my VorTechs on short pulse mode. I checked it out and it did look cool but I didn't want to risk 125 gallons of water on my rented hardwood floors. Also, I think that there are other flows that keep detritus suspended in the water column better than a wave mode would.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Wave is just one action. Surges, undercurrents, whirlpools, waves, breaks, tides, etc. are all currents that should be replicated and maintained. Of course, doing this would require a thick walled acrylic tank.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/390589/perfect-size-sps-tank#post_3461198
Hard to reach everything. Difficult to fill. Cost prohibitive
Don't get me wrong, it's a good sized tank.
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/390589/perfect-size-sps-tank#post_3461202
Snake, I've heard that sentiment from a number of people I trust....that a 180 is the tank they "would go back to" of they could. Perfect combination of length, depth, and height. Makes me re-think my "dream tank" of 265 gallons.
What......It's 24" depth......how is that hard to reach.......
 
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