I just recently bought a house with the perfect wall for a nice big built in tank. What I'd had in mind was one long tank, 8' or so, but according to plans I've been researching online, I'd be limited in how tall I could make the tank (using acrylic) because of the length.
I had my dad over this weekend who used to be a carpenter (now designs bridges for freeways) who thankfully is excited about helping me with this project. He suggested I break the one massive tank up into two smaller (shorter in length) tanks, which would allow me to go taller, and add volume that way.
This would take care of the "should I go freshwater, or saltwater?" questions, as now I'll be able to do both. Muwahaha. I've had fresh and brackish tanks for many years, however, now I need to really start learning about saltwater.
The tanks are going to be approx 54"Lx30"Wx48"T, I want a reef tank. Yes, I realize this is going to cost me thousands of dollars.
What I'm trying to understand is, with live sand and live rock, do I not need excess filtration? Just powerheads to move the water around? For the freshwater tank (breeding colony of african frontosa cichlids) I'm considering a pool or pond filter of some sort.
I realize for corals and such im going to need massive amounts of lighting, and obviously more than usual since this is going to be a tall tank rather than long. I'm thinking (still brainstorming here guys) that I'll build the initial "reef" out of non-live rock, and then seed with live. Is it possible to keep my corals and such to the top portion of the tank where the light is the best and have other critters lower down, or do I absolutely need lighting that will penetrate as well all the way down?
I think what I'm asking, is (corals and anenomes come on live rock in a lot of cases, dont they?) Will they move themselves where the best light is, or am i likely to lose some when I seed the dead rock with live? Maybe I could place the live rock closest to the top and let the little non-light-needing critters colonize the dead stuff toward the bottom to their heart's content?
Straighten me out here guys. I've got a while to plan this yet. Money really isn't too much of an issue, but obviously, if you've got a "you could spend lots of money doing this, but if you're handy you could do it this way" ideas, send them my way!
What all am I going to need for this setup?
I have every intention of setting this up properly, so any advice if appreciated.
Thanks.
Zek
I had my dad over this weekend who used to be a carpenter (now designs bridges for freeways) who thankfully is excited about helping me with this project. He suggested I break the one massive tank up into two smaller (shorter in length) tanks, which would allow me to go taller, and add volume that way.
This would take care of the "should I go freshwater, or saltwater?" questions, as now I'll be able to do both. Muwahaha. I've had fresh and brackish tanks for many years, however, now I need to really start learning about saltwater.
The tanks are going to be approx 54"Lx30"Wx48"T, I want a reef tank. Yes, I realize this is going to cost me thousands of dollars.
What I'm trying to understand is, with live sand and live rock, do I not need excess filtration? Just powerheads to move the water around? For the freshwater tank (breeding colony of african frontosa cichlids) I'm considering a pool or pond filter of some sort.
I realize for corals and such im going to need massive amounts of lighting, and obviously more than usual since this is going to be a tall tank rather than long. I'm thinking (still brainstorming here guys) that I'll build the initial "reef" out of non-live rock, and then seed with live. Is it possible to keep my corals and such to the top portion of the tank where the light is the best and have other critters lower down, or do I absolutely need lighting that will penetrate as well all the way down?
I think what I'm asking, is (corals and anenomes come on live rock in a lot of cases, dont they?) Will they move themselves where the best light is, or am i likely to lose some when I seed the dead rock with live? Maybe I could place the live rock closest to the top and let the little non-light-needing critters colonize the dead stuff toward the bottom to their heart's content?
Straighten me out here guys. I've got a while to plan this yet. Money really isn't too much of an issue, but obviously, if you've got a "you could spend lots of money doing this, but if you're handy you could do it this way" ideas, send them my way!

I have every intention of setting this up properly, so any advice if appreciated.
Thanks.
Zek