turbo2oh

Is it a terrible idea to design a stand where the sump can't be removed? I seem to have engineered myself into a corner unfortunately. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm looking into building my own stand for a 24'' cube. I've been scouring the internet looking for designs I like. This is my first tank with a sump and it looks like most people seem to mount their electronics in their stand along with the sump. I would think the humidity and saltwater would eventually cause issues, is that not the case? Seems risky to me. I'm going to have some electronics to deal with (eb8,apex lite, vdm, etc). Here's the options I've come up with: option A : build a stand that's 24x24 and mount everything in the stand above the sump option B: build a stand that's more like 36/40x24 to make room for an extra compartment on the side to mount electronics and feed the cables through to the sump. Examples: http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff433/mentalnote2/IMG_3772_opt.jpg http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff433/mentalnote2/IMG_3778_opt-1.jpg option C: build an oversized cube stand. Examples: http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i228/mr9iron205/Cube%20Build/20131230_064033.jpg http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i228/mr9iron205/Cube%20Build/20140227_162420.jpg http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i228/mr9iron205/Cube%20Build/20140227_162146.jpg option D (current top option): built some extra height into the stand to mount the electronics in a separate compartment above the sump and feed the cables down to the sump. The problem with this is its limited display room. I was even Examples: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/hawkdl2/90stand.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/hawkdl2/90standelectronicsbaycloseup.jpg http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii13/AJO_010/DSCF2624.jpg

Thanks for all the feedback, lots of great tips and options!! if I had the eheim universal pump couldn't I throttle the flow using the eb8 and apex lite? Would the 1260 be considered under/over powered with my overflow/tank size? I'll take a look at the waveline dc6000 as well. The rest seems a little easier to select!

Thanks! What size pumps from DC/Eheim would be a good match for my setup? I was considering the Eheim 1260.

So I'm finally starting up a reef tank again after a hiatus of probably 5 or 6 years. Even back then I only had a small 29g with HOB equipment. I've been lurking around and thinking about getting a tank for awhile and finally decided to purchase one from a fellow WAMAS member (Thanks Bob!) Here's the setup I bought: http://wamas.org/forums/topic/64991-fs-reef-savvy-60-gal-rimless24x24x24-cube/ I didn't get any of the rock/sand/livestock since I wasn't able to set it up immediately. Now that the room is painted and everything is cleaned up I think I'm good to go. I'm starting completely from scratch so I'm trying to build a list of what else I need to get going and was hoping for a little assistance. What I have: - 60g cube with 1500gph glass holes overflow with two 1.5" spears gate valve and return plumbing with check valve - acrylic sump (20x20x13) - apex lite and eb8 - AI SOL blues and VDM - Bubble Magnus NAC 3.5 - Vertex Zeo Reactor (I don't think I'll use this at least for now) - deep blue stand (might end up building my own that is slightly wider) Things I know I need/ Planning to get: - return pump (Bob said he ran a mag 9.5 I believe, I've hear the eheim ones are quieter but a little priceir is that the consensus?) - heater (2 150w?) - RO/DI unit - refractometer - test kits - addtl powerhead? - tanks to hold fresh and salt water - sand/salt/rocks Any comments/suggestions would be great! Thanks, Phil

Thanks for the info! I'll keep an eye out for a group buy but I 'd like to get the tank setup sooner than later. Based on your advice I'll mostl likely be getting the 5-stage non-chloromine model.

Looking to buy an RO/DI and looking at the options on BRS I see there is a price jump for the chloromines models. Is this necessary? Also is there a big difference between the 4 and 5 stage models? Thanks! Phil

Thanks guys, I'm starting to think the cube would be the best. I think ideally I'd want a rimless 36x36 with a depth of somewhere between 17 and 24 which I think should be somewhere between 100 and 135g. I'll look around in the vendor section but if anyone is aware of an offering like this I'd appreciate it otherwise I'll be digging around the internet. @zygote2k: Where did you get your tank? @john: your tank looks great! What is the depth? @dbartco : Haha you convinced me to actually measure it out, I hadn't considered taking a rectangular tank and having both sides visible but unfortunately it would just be too long.

I've been going back and forth over the past few weeks trying to decide exactly what size tank I want. I think I've decided to keep it in the basement instead of the 2nd floor so I don't have to stress over weight issues.The issue is in the basement the area I'd like to put the tank is almost exactly 48'' wide. Instead of having it look very cramped with a 48'' tank I'd like to stick with a 36''. I'm trying to decide on a size and have been reviewing the options at glasscages.com. Any suggestions? http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=46 I'm leaning towards the 65-wide or the 95 3-wide. Is the additional height a good idea? I'm planning to do a mixed-reef. Thanks! Phil

Thanks Dave, I'm still torn on if I want the tank downstairs or upstairs. Downstairs I don't have to worry bout weight since its on a concrete slab, but I only have exactly 4ft to work with where I could put it (between a gas fireplace and the non-opening end of a sliding glass door). Upstairs I have more room but I'm a little concerned about having a huge tank on the 2nd story. Decisions decisions.. I definitely have some reading to do on here and reef-central.

Thanks guys, I'll be trying to catch back up!

Hi everyone, I'm planning to return to the hobby after a mulit-year hiatus. Previously I had a 29g reef tank but at the time I was moving quite often and moving the tank became quite a hassle. Now I should be stationary for awhile and would like to get a larger tank. I'm thinking 150 high would be perfect, but also considering 90g and a few in between. It will be on the 2nd floor but will be against a load bearing wall running perpendicular to the floor joists so hopefully it should be good. I'm also planning for a sump tank so I don't have any equipment hanging off of the display tank. I wanted to know if anyone has any advice for someone who's been very out of the loop for the last 5 years or so (I see LEDs are more common now?). Also, if anyone is selling or parting out an existing system that'd be perfect. I've been checking craigslist but haven't seen anything that fits what I'm looking for. Thanks! Phil