Help me design my new tank

[WoodRight]

Ok Ace you know I don't know much about this stuff but do you want to put your returns that close to your over flows? wont you get some of the water that come in to the tank going back into the overflows? or are you going to have those ajustable hoses on your returns? If that is the case " It looks good to me" but take that for what it is. :O)

 

[Ace25]

Thanks. Ya, I am going to split the arms with loc-line arms on the returns like on my 60G tank. Here is a pic of my 60G that I still have no idea what to do with.. LOL. You can see the split/dual arms for the return on the left side of the picture. The arms will be lower than the overflows.

 

[Almondsaz]

Alright, so I am a bit dense....you will have the overflow box, not a screen for the overflow. I was worried that if you were using the screen, then you lost a bit of tank becuase your water level would be reduced.

Only suggestion might be to lower the returns to mid tank.

 

[Ace25]

No, I AM using a screen like Salty420's tank. The box in the picture is what came with my 60G but I wont be using a box for my new tank, just a PVC 90 degree elbo with a strainer on top. Unfortunately, I think you have to place the returns at the top of the tank or else you will get a reverse syphon effect if you have a power outtage. You can use a check valve to prevent that but I have heard a lot of horror stories about those failing when you need them the most.

Here is her tanks overflow.

 

[Almondsaz]

That looks good.

While surfing the net I found this info on flow. Might help, if not at least it is really good information. Flow vs light for corals, etc.


These are all from Advanced Aquarist in a 5 part series on Flow

Part I: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/6/aafeature2
Part II: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/aafeature
Part III: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/9/aafeature2
Part IV: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/11/aafeature
Part V: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature

 

[Almondsaz]

Ace: should have mentioned that Part V is the best...specifically addresses turnover, randomness, etc.

 

[Ace25]

Well, tank is ordered and guess what... most of my drawing went out the window. LOL.

So get this.. I got a 68G tank ordered. 30x22x24. I am getting a "Coast to Coast" overflow installed. I had never heard of this before. It is pretty much a 1" slot cut into almost the entire length of the back of the tank. You glue a piece of plastic screen over the back of the slot. Then there is an overflow box on the back side. Also got my closed loop with it. Here is a pic from the most recent "tank of the month" on reefcentral.com. See the overflow box on the back, but only a long slot cut into the glass on the inside. Pretty crazy huh? I am also getting Starphire front glass, as well as getting a quote for a rimless "euro" style tank. If it is only $100 more I will go for it.

I also picked up a Seachem Pinnacle+ RO/DI unit (100GPD).. goes for about $350 online.. for FREE!! Well, not free, I am building the website for the LFS in return, but what an awesome deal.

 

[salty420]

sweet can't wait to see it! and it looks like i need to post a new pic of my overflow, it looks much better now covered in gsp

 

[Ace25]

Well, I like the "bare" picture because it really shows the overflow well. With your GSP it is hard to explain to people.

Ah crap, just click the link on the "Tank of the month" to see the picture. I hate that they don't allow linking. Here is the picture I was trying to show below..

I was wrong on the RO/DI, it wasn't $350, it was $400! Here is a link.

 

[Ace25]

A different example of a "Coast to Coast" overflow. This time, not a slot cut, but the top routed down and the returns come up through the overflow. Mine will be on the sides.

Actually, thinking about it, I bet the top one is routed as well but the glass lid on it makes is seem like a slot. I like that idea better than the open top overflow. I will get the glass top on mine as well like the first example.

I am also thinking about getting this light for the tank now.