new tank

[NYPDFrogman]

OK I need to build a new tank for a couple of reasons...
1. I want to move my 180 from one location to another, it's opposite my TV and reflects into the TV
2. I want to go bigger and esecially want a wider tank front to back
3. I love my livestock need some " newness" tank is on cruise control now
I need to build or tinker

here's the catch I need to do something to lower my electric bill
going bigger (450) means more light bigger pump higher electric$$

we use electric for everything cooking, clothes dryer, I have an outdoor spa, and an inground pool, central A/C we are dying electric bill is stupid high


considering a 60X36X30 tank I think I could cut down to 2 MH lights and 2 48" actinics

considering going with a shallower tank and going from 250W to 175W

would like some input

 

[crox99]

Well with a 30" deep I would go with 400's and not 250's.....If the $$$ for electricity is a problem you should go smaller.

 

[NYPDFrogman]

if I go with 30" deep I'll be using lumen arcs I dont nessecarily agree with using 400's too much heat.
my 180 has a full glass canopy and it's never clean always some salt spray and I have excellent coral growth

 

[herman]

You can definitely go with a bigger tank. The maximum width to get away with 2 lumenarcs is 60". I have seen people go bigger (up to 80") and still use 2 lumenarcs by creating two islands for the corals and hanging the lights over that. The rest of the space is just open for fish and other stuff that does not require so much light.

I would go with a depth of 25" max. That enables you to use 250 watters.

Do a slower flow sump so the return pump does not need to be this crazy powerful pump or you can choose to go with one pump such as the sequence snapper or larger but have it power all your filters including the skimmer feed. You can always opt to gravity feed the skimmer.

For the flow within the tank yo can either choose an OM 4way in conjunction with penductors for a nice clean look or go with Tunze Streams on a multicontroller.

HTH,
Herman

 

[NYPDFrogman]

I have a tunze system now
my big energy pigs are the Iwaki and then MH

60L X 36W X30T = 280gals
considering using a dart pump that should be better than the iwaki

 

[herman]

Which Iwaki are you using now? The sequence snapper averages 99watts or less.

 

[NYPDFrogman]

40rlxt

 

[herman]

Yeah, that sucker is a hog. 218 watts
Definitely go with the sequence snapper - more flow less watts

 

[PalmTree]

I don't know if going bigger is going to help you lower your electrical usage. You'll always have the urge to add on a new toy that has to get plugged in!

 

[NYPDFrogman]

I don't know if going bigger is going to help you lower your electrical usage. You'll always have the urge to add on a new toy that has to get plugged in!

nah been doing this too long

I have some pretty nice and healthy livestock
I have a beautiful regal angel thats about 4-5" I refuse to get rid of, a 4" mystery wrasse and a couple of monster size sps
not much more I can plug in I run a calcium reactor, up until a weekago an ozone reactor, and a g4 skimmer

I'll proablygo for an ati skimmer when I do this

 

[spykes]

go for it man. My new tank supposely needs 1 400 watter to cover the entire tank. im only using 1 250 10K to cover 36x36"

 

[NYPDFrogman]

I've been playing with numbrs and I think I'm going to do 72L X 36W X24T
which should give me 269Gals
I'll be able to reach the bottom light shouldnt be an issue
top will ne euro braced and completely open
I'll do it in 1" acrylic
was considering outside overflows but I think I'll go with corner boxes instead
quieter and I want to walk behind tank for maintenance

 

[jackson6745]

Hey frank,
If you plan on using a blue bulb go with the 400w
If you are going to use a 10k the 250w is fine.
Keep in mind the blue 250w bulbs are really dim on a large tank.
Not sure what skimmer you're using but you may want to consider an ATI BM250. It will skim your tank @ only 45 watts. With this skimmer, a few tunze streams, and your return pump, even with 400's, you're still running pretty efficiently.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I've been playing with numbrs and I think I'm going to do 72L X 36W X24T
which should give me 269Gals
I'll be able to reach the bottom light shouldnt be an issue
top will ne euro braced and completely open
I'll do it in 1" acrylic
was considering outside overflows but I think I'll go with corner boxes instead
quieter and I want to walk behind tank for maintenance

This dimension seems better in terms of lighting issue.

Build the corner box outside the tank and it should give you same noise as inside the tank. And since you decided on acrylics, you should be able to cut the tank the way you want easily if you are a handyman.

 

[NYPDFrogman]

Hey frank,
If you plan on using a blue bulb go with the 400w
If you are going to use a 10k the 250w is fine.
Keep in mind the blue 250w bulbs are really dim on a large tank.
Not sure what skimmer you're using but you may want to consider an ATI BM250. It will skim your tank @ only 45 watts. With this skimmer, a few tunze streams, and your return pump, even with 400's, you're still running pretty efficiently.

Thats my plan skimmer wise
I like the 250W XM 10K's I have good coral color and growth
should be better now ith an open top tank
like I said before Th 180 has a full glass canopy and I cant keep it clean for anything

 

[bad coffee]

Frank, glad to see you back around!

Have you looked into DE bulbs? You get more light for the same wattage. If you can find bulbs you like. . .

Post pics when you start!

B

 

[NYPDFrogman]

I already have Luminarcs for mogul type bulbs and fairly new ballasts.
I've had good sucess with the lighting I have now on my present tank.