im getting a 100 gallon! some advice plz

[fungia]

ok, so i decided that 60 is too small for tangs based on some of your advice here so i got a 100 gallon. i really want tangs because they are nice and because i cant keep them in my 29 right now. cant wait.

now to my question. before i set the tank up with water and other stuff, is there anything i should do to prepare the tank and stand and canopy. the stand is is pine and 36 inch tall and canopy is also pine and 12 inch tall (for mh that i want in the future). tank is glass euro-style 5 feet 100 gallon.

i want to set it up right from the start and i know some things cant be changed after you start. so help me get going on the right foot

tia

 

[Len]

Don't have much time right now, but first thing I'd do is go buy a sheet of styrofoam and cut it to the dimensions of your tank's footprint. Sit the tank on top of that. It helps level it out and prevents uneven pressure.

BBL with more ..... i'm sure others have good advice too

 

[mountainbiker619]

what is your filtration setup going to be? Have you already purchased the aquarium? If not, are you going to have it built with a built in overflow?
This is what I consider the most important stage of the aquarium design. I have a 100 and I only wish I did the filtration the same way I did my 60. Infact, I may be selling my 100 soon so I can buy another 100 and do it the same as my 60.

 

[ChrisRD]

Of course, carefully leveling the tank is a must. You're not going to be moving it later. :wink:

As Mountainbiker said, if the tank doesn't have a built-in overflow I'd have it drilled.

If you're planning on a very high flow tank, you might consider having it drilled for a closed loop as well. There are certainly plenty of ways to go for circulation, but if not having powerheads or wavemaking stuff in the tank is important to you, a closed loop is an option.

Do you have fans in your canopy? If you're going to have halide lighting, plan on putting fans in your canopy and stand (to blow across the sump).

Those are just a few things that popped into my head, but I'm sure others will chime in...

Good luck with your new setup!

 

[fungia]

oh, sorry. the tank has two overflows and is reef ready. i dont have a filter planned yet but i am planning on only a skimmer and maybe some kind of ca reactor. i dont have any equipment for it yet and am planning what to buy. i am looking for advice on what to do before i fill with water and the tank is there for good.

thanks people. i appreciate the help a lot.

 

[mountainbiker619]

are those overflows built in or hang over the side type? Are there any holes in the back glass for return bulkhead fittings? I would look into getting an acrylic 55gal, or something along that size that will fit under your stand and use it as your sump. Skimmer, on my 100 I will be using a Euro-reef CS8-2.

 

[Len]

I'm guessing by reef-ready they're built in and have holes drilled for the drain at least. But I'll let mr.plate coral speak for himself

Another idea I can think of is to prime the inside of your stand with marine water sealant. I didn't do it for my tank but wish I did. It'll help protect the wood against water/humidity damage.

 

[fungia]

it has holes for 1 inch bulkheads on the bottom. i am planning on a euroreef too because of the raves i see here. not the 8-2 though cuz its too big and expensive.
thanks again. keep them coming

 

[ChrisRD]

Another idea I can think of is to prime the inside of your stand with marine water sealant. I didn't do it for my tank but wish I did. It'll help protect the wood against water/humidity damage.

Another good point. I coated my stand (inside and out) with marine varnish. It's inevitable that you're going to get the stand wet (sometimes very wet! ) so it's not a bad idea...

 

[Kabob]

Where does one get this Marine Varnish you speak of? I used deck seal or something the last time.

Jason

 

[mountainbiker619]

it has holes for 1 inch bulkheads on the bottom. i am planning on a euroreef too because of the raves i see here. not the 8-2 though cuz its too big and expensive.
thanks again. keep them coming

any return bulkhead holes in the back? Here is a pic of the plumbing on my 60.

 

[ChrisRD]

Where does one get this Marine Varnish you speak of? I used deck seal or something the last time.

It's basically just a heavy-duty version of polyurethane (I think it's also called "spar varnish"). You can usually get it anywhere household paints/stains/varnishes are sold.

 

[fungia]

wow mountainbiker. that is very impressive. mine won't have holes so i think i need to go over the top. i guess i can get some drilled but simple is better for me. i am kind of a dummy with this stuff. im thinking about tunze streams so i think circulation is ok for me.