To build or buy

[srt8]

Ok,I know I'm getting ahead of myself,but browsing the lfs today I spotted an awesome tank and stand(new) I believe it was 200 gallons and I liked the deep look for reef,I think it was 48x36. It had two corner overflows. Just curious why people build their own,pros and cons and I'm sure cost is a factor.also pros and cons on the squarer versuses rectangular,I am just preparing for one of these days. Lol

 

[acrylic51]

Hey SRT8........You asked some good questions IMO and you'll get answers all over the board I'm sure.....
Your right there's always pros and cons to everything in this hobby.....For me tons of reasons why I opted the way I went.....I've had all the traditional tanks through the years.....I've bought standard tanks, predrilled tanks, drilled my own tanks, and then got adventurous and built a plywood tank (minus) the glass, and then went on to build my big acrylic tank, but bottom line it came down to a couple things......
I wanted something different, something your not going to go buy off the showroom floor.....You won't find to many tanks with 48" depth.....It had to fit "my space" which can be a limiting factor in most peoples cases....Everyone would like a bigger tank, but it comes down to floor space in the end for most.....Another big factor for me was weight.....A glass tank of that size and nature is extremely heavy....So I chose acrylic for my tank material.....Acrylic can be altered IMO easier than a glass tank.....Also shipping costs....I wasn't going to let anyone, but the best build my tank, and he's clean across the country from me so shipping made it rather tough......
I think part of the hobby that's most enjoyable to me is actually building.....I have the skill to do it; patience is a little slim at times, but by custom building my own tank, I was able to get everything I exactly wanted without having to compromise....Granted I may have spent a tad more on material building the way I did, but I sat down and thought out what the tank had to have.....1 no cross bracing......2. external overflow 3. CL system that I could tailor to my needs....4. Just allowed me to be creative and have fun!!!!!!!
You ask about shapes of tanks.....I think that's more a personal taste than anything.....Some will say certain fish require a certain length of tank, but I'm not in that mind set......Personally I refer a more "cubed" look vs long.....I've come from a 240 long, and looks neat, but the depth of a cube tank is quite nice to aquascape and allows you IMO to be more creative or not limited with what you can do......
IMO the biggest question is to sit down and plan....Think out what you want and what you don't want.....Can you get all your desires in a standard built tank or are you looking for something a little different.......What's the space you have to work with.....Are you handy.....Do you have fun building things.....All these things I think play into the equation if your DIY or buy......

 

[srt8]

All very good points,Thank You again for the input.I appreciate the feedback. I can see myself one day working towards bigger things, and more automation to make it more enjoyable,so as to cut down on the more un fun parts that come with responsible animal husbandry.IMO partial water changes seem to keep my critters happier,I mean it's like a clean car just feels like it runs BETTER.Im not sure they certainly need the partial change every week but it is keeping everything looking good,I guess I could test out more just to see how long I should or could go and I'm quite certain it will become more of a chore so I am all about making the chore part more enjoyable, I was getting tired of daily topoffs really fast so I am now waiting on a Tunze auto topoff.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SRT8 http:///t/393819/to-build-or-buy#post_3504817
All very good points,Thank You again for the input.I appreciate the feedback. I can see myself one day working towards bigger things, and more automation to make it more enjoyable,so as to cut down on the more un fun parts that come with responsible animal husbandry.IMO partial water changes seem to keep my critters happier,I mean it's like a clean car just feels like it runs BETTER.Im not sure they certainly need the partial change every week but it is keeping everything looking good,I guess I could test out more just to see how long I should or could go and I'm quite certain it will become more of a chore so I am all about making the chore part more enjoyable, I was getting tired of daily topoffs really fast so I am now waiting on a Tunze auto topoff.
I don't know how many times I wanted something only to find the cost was way over my range...If I can make it myself, that's the best thing ever...you are always sure to get what you want that way. So if you can build it...go for it!

 

[acrylic51]

I love the idea of automated water changes.....Actually something I'm dreaming of myself.....I've been considering small continuous daily water changes though......

 

[srt8]

Yes,I have been thinking about that too,set up a pump to drain and a pump to fill. Have a programmed controller that would shut off your main pump and power heads and such then have it turn the drain pump on,when the water reached a determined level a sensor on the tank would tell the controller to shut the drain pump off,then have the controller turn the fill pump on,maybe with it coming on after a few seconds after drain pump goes off,maybe use a timer for that instruction.Then when the water filled back up to a full condition,use another sensor to instruct the controller to shut fill pump off.Then use a timer instruction again to turn all tank outputs on starting main pump and etc. Then after starting and running if the level drops you could have the fill pump kick on again with the full sensor. After complete program the controller to not use the program again until maybe a week or whatever you choose to do your water changes.A PLC with one input card and one output card could control a lot of things. Or maybe someone makes a controller for something like this? Allen Bradley PLC equipment is expensive. Although even the old stuff would work and might could pick up cheaper somewhere used. If you went this route it is conceivable EVERY function you needed to control would be handled by a processor program and input and output cards.Inputs being various sensors and outputs controlling real world devices like motors,lights,Pumps,ect.

 

[srt8]

Ok Acrylic,now you have me really thinking.If you really wanted to you could set up basically every function and control it from your PC,I mean basically even your reactors and whatever you needed. I cannot think of anything that we could not automate,well,cleaning the glass might be tough and changing filter pads and such.Allen Bradley and Rockwell Have been doing this stuff quite a while.RS logix 5000 being some of the latest software,all Ethernet communications. The older stuff is still in use too being maybe PLC5 with ICOM software and using more wiring but just as reliable and maybe a lot cheaper if you could find it used.

 

[lubeck]

I think it would be money well spent if you just bought something like a genesis automatic water changer instead of making your own.. I didn't think they were very expensive either... When I upgrade to a large tank I plan on doing small daily water changes. The biggest challenge that i need to figure out is creating a catch basin in the sump that detris will automatically slide into..( Think if the bottom of your sump was molded like a "smile" ) That way all the detris collects in the center of the smiley and that is where you could place your pump to remove it automatically. I think you could have someone create a custom sump something like this –u–

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lubeck http:///t/393819/to-build-or-buy#post_3505006
I think it would be money well spent if you just bought something like a genesis automatic water changer instead of making your own.. I didn't think they were very expensive either... When I upgrade to a large tank I plan on doing small daily water changes. The biggest challenge that i need to figure out is creating a catch basin in the sump that detris will automatically slide into..( Think if the bottom of your sump was molded like a "smile" ) That way all the detris collects in the center of the smiley and that is where you could place your pump to remove it automatically. I think you could have someone create a custom sump something like this –u–
That's half the fun with this hobby is building and designing your own.....The thing is he is more than technically versed to pull something off like this since he does these things on a daily basis, which makes it a lot easier than for someone like you or I......
You could easily incorporate the design in a sump to accumulate detritus to settle in a certain area....It's been done before, but isn't a common thing you see designed into sumps.......Sounds like the sump would need to be elevated a bit to allow for a drain in you "U"......
Quote:
Originally Posted by SRT8 http:///t/393819/to-build-or-buy#post_3504941
Ok Acrylic,now you have me really thinking.If you really wanted to you could set up basically every function and control it from your PC,I mean basically even your reactors and whatever you needed. I cannot think of anything that we could not automate,well,cleaning the glass might be tough and changing filter pads and such.Allen Bradley and Rockwell Have been doing this stuff quite a while.RS logix 5000 being some of the latest software,all Ethernet communications. The older stuff is still in use too being maybe PLC5 with ICOM software and using more wiring but just as reliable and maybe a lot cheaper if you could find it used.
I like your thinking......Sounds dangerous and I'll have to bounce some ideas off you and I'm more than confident you'd be able to point me in the right directions on parts.......

 

[srt8]

Yes,I'm quite sure an Allen Bradley/Rockwell setup could automate your whole house easily. No kidding