Reef Tank Project

H

hhh

Guest
So I'm going to build my reef tank already. All I will have to build is the main tank. I have a 10 and a 5 gallon tank that I would like to use in this project. The only thing that I have right now is a 24" 2x65 watt power compact lights. so I would like to work my way so that I would use the lights.
My light fixture is 24.5 in long so that means that I will like to build a 25" tank.
I'll ask some simple questions like my first question is
HOW LONG SHOULD THE HEIGHT AND WIDTH BE.
 
mag395

mag395

Member
At that size, wouldn't it be easier to just buy 25 gallon tank? All-glass sells a 25 gallon that is 24x12x20 (LxWxH). Does your light fixture have legs or is it mounted in a canopy?
 
H

hhh

Guest
This is how I plan on making it.

the red box at the back is where the water would overflow to and then drain to the sump/fuge.
This is how i'm going to plan on making the back part of the glass or acrylic.

The red is acrylic and the yellow is where the water would overflow from.
*the red bars inside of the yellow are pieces of acrylic or glass that I would glue on to the back part and onto the top part.
Would this size be alright
L 25 W 13 H 15
either glass or acrylic.
 
H

hhh

Guest
so instead of building it myself I'll rather buy it.
These are the dimensions. 24 1/8l 12.5w 16 3/4h.
they sell it for 20.99 plus tax.
 
emmitt2

emmitt2

Member
Unless you really want to build one, definitely buy it. For 21 bucks, it cant be worth the time or effort to build it. But like i said, if you really wanna try building one, that size would be a good starter.
 
H

hhh

Guest
I've decided on buying it instead. But should I get that size tank. Would my light be able to support a variety of corals.
 
H

hhh

Guest
instead of making the sump and fuge out of a 10 and 5 gallon, should I get 2 20 gallon tanks. 1 for display and the other for the fuge.
 
symon

symon

Member
I have a real issue with this, Realizing that money is always a factor! Why would you spend so much energy on a little tank, I would think that for faily cheap you could buy a 55 gal tank and use you 24 " light on 1 side of it
Again to me it just seems a waster of time to put so my into something that you will not be happy with!
Also that light will not support alot of corals , it would be ok for some zoos and a few other low light types
Let me Clarify , I am the master of useing whatever i have to work with, But sometimes you just have to go get what you really want ! Atleast that's what i tell the wife!
 
H

hhh

Guest
I have a 55 gallon with stand and canopy. the only reason that I want to make it small is because it's expensive.
I would spend 22 dollars in sand for the 20 gallon when I would spend 75 on the 55 gallon
I would need 3 times more live rock.
another bigger light.
overflowbox
etc.
 
H

hhh

Guest
After trying to get a qt tank for my sick hogfish. I found it dead. So instead of buying two 20 gallons. I bought a 26 gallon tank. Would I be better off using the 26 gallon for more water volume and so that the 20 gallon have more wattage. or should it be the other other way. the only thing is, that my light is 24 inches and the 26 gallon tank is 30.
I can turn the 26 gallon into a sump/refugium.
Or am I completly wrong.
another question. are hard corals hard to keep or are they hard as in strong.
are soft corals easy to keep or are they hard to keep. which one is harder to keep.
 
H

hhh

Guest
How do I know if the new tank has copper in it. Is that the only thing I should check for.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Yes you can set it up that way and it's a very good design.....If you go to melevsreef dot com and check out his site on sumps and stuff you'll get tons of information that is overlooked at time....
 
H

hhh

Guest
What should be the minimum thickness of the glass. At the Home Depot they sell glass at 1/32 in thickness.
 
H

hhh

Guest
What kind of pump should I use? I'm still thinking how am I going to build the stand. If the display is going to be 24" and the sump/fuge is going to be 29" does anyone have an idea that I could use. Would 1/32 " glass work? On the sump/fuge, would 2 inches be to much width between the glass.(are they called baffles)
 
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