Browncj7 TBD size build

[Anonymous]

Hi all.

Just got off the phone w/ LFS and acrylic shop.

Custom tank - 60X24X24 - Blue back acrylic, 2 corner overflows. Tank will only be viewable from the front.

Sound good so far? The down payment has not been dropped off yet so I have time to change things. Suggestions? Should I just go with glass and use a standard 120 XH? I do not get the tank dimension I am looking for though.

 

[Anonymous]

Dude, welcome back!

Acrylic sucks. I'd get it made of glass. Or acrylic sides and back with glass front since that will be the only visible side.

I'd also do external overflows (weir boxes) since you're getting it made custom anyway!

 

[Anonymous]

Also, TruVu makes a standard 60 x 24 x 24 150 gallon tank with corner overflows:

http://www.aquaquest.biz/150garereaq.html

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with the glass or glass front and external overflows too.

Good luck with the build and tank. Looking forward to some pics!

 

[Anonymous]

I don't get why you guys are suggesting external overflows. I always much prefer internal overflows.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't get why you guys are suggesting external overflows. I always much prefer internal overflows.

Matt wasnt talking about Hang On Back style overflows(those can lose siphon) but the Weir style- provides siphon-less overflow, without taking any space from the display like an intank overflow does.
[rimg]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLO1LzyiEApa2Ed5mb27NwxLHeokPFnvuwz0VE9oGMDfO7mNOHK-moqXDM[/rimg]
[rimg]http://www.glassreef.com/images/Overflow/Overflow-11.jpg[/rimg]

and welcome back, this sounds like a cool sized tank, kinda wish I went a little bigger, but I was limited to my usable space...

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a fun project.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't get why you guys are suggesting external overflows. I always much prefer internal overflows.

Matt wasnt talking about Hang On Back style overflows(those can lose siphon) but the Weir style- provides siphon-less overflow, without taking any space from the display like an intank overflow does.
[rimg]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLO1LzyiEApa2Ed5mb27NwxLHeokPFnvuwz0VE9oGMDfO7mNOHK-moqXDM[/rimg]
[rimg]http://www.glassreef.com/images/Overflow/Overflow-11.jpg[/rimg]

and welcome back, this sounds like a cool sized tank, kinda wish I went a little bigger, but I was limited to my usable space...

Wow. I never even heard of those. That is nice. As long as you have ample space behind the tank, I guess these would be ideal.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah- look up "herbie" overflow- and there's another name too for a similar configuration.

My last tank was the same dimensions- really nice size. Next one I'm thinking 60x30x30, but the 150 is cool too.

I never had acrylic, but so many people who have hated them...

 

[Anonymous]

As far as I can tell the one pictured above has the top edge of the glass cut down- people also drill the glass into those overflows.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks budha! Those are exactly what I meant. You can easily have acrylic or fiberglass tanks built like that (glass ones too I bet), or with a bit of DIY and a Dremel tool you can make them yourself. I did one myself on a standard 30g glass tank and couldn't have been happier with it. Cutting out the slot of glass took me a good hour or so and a couple $10 Dremel tools, the extra glass pieces can be cut for you at a glass or hardware shop and cost me $15 I think, a tube of silicone, and that was about it. Much more info here:
topic100850.html

And it doesn't take up much space behind the tank, only 6" or so. You can also place it (them) on the front or back sides if that's more convenient.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Anonymous]

If I were to do an inwall I would go in 30x30x24 blocks so either 60x30 or 90x30. I like the external overflow. That would be a feature I would like to have in an in-wall tank.

 

[Anonymous]

The site Budha posted the pic from has a nice rundown on the subject:

http://www.glassreef.com/basics_overflow.php

 

[Anonymous]

The site Budha posted the pic from has a nice rundown on the subject:

http://www.glassreef.com/basics_overflow.php

That is a pretty great rundown. The only things I would change are 1) use a gate valve like he said, 2) put a strainer basket on the ends of those things to prevent snails and such getting in them, and 3) brace those damn pipes! All that weight is just hanging on the weir box...ugh.

Here's another explanation albiet a bit briefer and maybe more useful for a smaller overflow box.
topic106697-20.html?hilit=cube

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Brown! :welcome:


Looking forward to some pics!!

 

[Anonymous]

Progress is slow.

Hopefully acrylic does not suck that much. That's what I am getting!

The stand is built and in place. Waiting on the tank and pricing on cabinet fronts/finish options.

 

[Anonymous]

And the 150 size seem so ideal - I have no idea why this isn't a standard size for glass tanks! What really sealed it for me is that you can cover a 60" X 24" tank with two pendants.

I'm sold on the ecotech radion lights. Getting 2 vs 3 of these is good for my wallet.

 

[Anonymous]

And the 150 size seem so ideal - I have no idea why this isn't a standard size for glass tanks! What really sealed it for me is that you can cover a 60" X 24" tank with two pendants.

I'm sold on the ecotech radion lights. Getting 2 vs 3 of these is good for my wallet.

while I love my Vortech MP-40, I just couldnt get past the prices for their lights - I started off with a DIY 48 LED set from RapidLed.com and a ReefAngel controller -great growth from my corals(half royal blue half cool white) but I've had a few leds burn out(my fault) so I'm going to go with RapidLed's Onyx fixtures - specs wise, they pretty damned close to the Radions, and half the price - even with buying a controller, its still less money...Rapid also has a new LED set that uses the same lense set the Radions do
Onyx:
http://www.rapidled.com/dimmable-onyx-by-rapid-led/

and the Aurora and Borealis sets:
http://www.rapidled.com/multichip-puck-leds/

 

[Anonymous]

Any progress?

 

[Anonymous]

Just ordered the lights.

Will be plumbing on Thursday afternoon.

Hopefully, I can post some pictures at that time!