In the past I worked my way through 60 gallon, 90 gallon and 300 gallon tanks. After the 300 gallon seam failed, several years ago, and I was travelling frequently, I sold virtually everything. I am now retired, at least partially, and decided to plan a new tank and familiarize myself with the latest approaches, methods and technology.
The tank will be in a developed basement and connect to the utility room which was used for the prior tanks. The utility room has less available space than previously, but it has a water supply, floor drain and 3 dedicated 15 amp circuits.
Design Basis: Peninsula, shallow lagoon aquarium. I am planning a low fish bioload with a focus on inverts and corals but reality may be different.
Tank: I considered Red Sea, Waterbox and IM peninsula tanks but none matched my exact space requirements. I have ordered a 54” x 30” x 18” acrylic tank from Glass Cages with a Synergy V3 overflow, two return lines and 3” Eurobrace. The 54/30 lengths were based on available space. The tank will be viewable from three sides and if possible, no cables or equipment visible on the three viewing sides.
Sump: Again, I looked at various options including custom designs. The final decision was between a custom design and the Bashsea. The sump can fit under the tank or the 48” length is the maximum possible in the utility room.
Stand: I will build the base stand at a height of 30” which allows a short person (me) to look down into the tank and to be able to reach all areas in the tank without steps. I will probably hire my son to finish (skin) the stand.
Equipment: I have been watching for lightly used or sale or open box equipment and perhaps Labour Day sales will fill further gaps.
The tank will be in a developed basement and connect to the utility room which was used for the prior tanks. The utility room has less available space than previously, but it has a water supply, floor drain and 3 dedicated 15 amp circuits.
Design Basis: Peninsula, shallow lagoon aquarium. I am planning a low fish bioload with a focus on inverts and corals but reality may be different.
Tank: I considered Red Sea, Waterbox and IM peninsula tanks but none matched my exact space requirements. I have ordered a 54” x 30” x 18” acrylic tank from Glass Cages with a Synergy V3 overflow, two return lines and 3” Eurobrace. The 54/30 lengths were based on available space. The tank will be viewable from three sides and if possible, no cables or equipment visible on the three viewing sides.
Sump: Again, I looked at various options including custom designs. The final decision was between a custom design and the Bashsea. The sump can fit under the tank or the 48” length is the maximum possible in the utility room.
Stand: I will build the base stand at a height of 30” which allows a short person (me) to look down into the tank and to be able to reach all areas in the tank without steps. I will probably hire my son to finish (skin) the stand.
Equipment: I have been watching for lightly used or sale or open box equipment and perhaps Labour Day sales will fill further gaps.
- Controller: Neptune Apex (purchased open box unused). I have used Apex on previous tanks so I will stay with the familiar. My initial plan was to avoid multiple equipment control systems and different BT or wifi apps but “avoid” quickly became “minimize” and “minimize” quickly became “whatever”!
- AWC: Neptune DOS (purchased open box unused). Salt water container will initially be the largest Brute container that fits in the available space, probably 44g. Preliminary plan is 10% water change per week at 1.5%/day. The 44 gallon SWT would allow a 30% change.
- Lighting: Initial lighting sufficient for LPS and maybe a small zone for SPS in the future. A lighting system that can be expanded or augmented within the same family. My preliminary preference is Kessil AP9X (another app) but can be integrated into Apex. The lighting will be suspended from the ceiling or from a rail attached to the rear wall. No purchase yet.
- Circulation: Perfect implementation of “no cables and clear three sides” appears to require two MP40QD (Apex compatible through Mobius) on the back wall as the starting point. No purchase yet.
- RODI/ATO: 100 gpd, booster pump, no chloramine, about 300 inlet TDS, automated flow to ATO tank (probably 20 gallon aquarium in sump area). ATO will be Apex or RS compatible. Past experience was Spectrapure.
- Manifold: I do not intend to run a manifold off the return line. The utility room has ample space for any ancillary facilities such as reactors, UV and ATS. I will probably contruct soem sort of manifold in the sump area with a seperate pump to feed any ancillairy treatment systems.
- Rock: 40lb of dead rock which has been used as garden decoration for 10 years will be cleaned plus about 40lbs of new live rock from LFS.
- Skimmer, Roller Mat, Return Pump: Still evaluating options. Prio expereince with Deltec skimmers.
