Lbacha’s 310g GlassCages SPS build
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- Thread starter lbacha
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SD_Reefing
Community Member
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- Feb 22, 2017
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Very cool rock work. I like the side view and how it has different pathways.Playing around with some rockscapes while I wait for the tank to arrive
OP
OP
Something that sometimes gets overlooked is external climate control. With a 300g tank I wanted to make sure I kept the moisture in check so I will be enclosing the tank and lights in a canopy and using a grow tent climate control system from AC infinity (my go to company for fans and now controllers). This duct fan will vent air from the cabinet up through my attic and outside based on humidity and temp levels in the canopy. The cabinet will be set up in such a way that it pulls air from the sump area up past the overflow and out of the enclosure. I have been running the same controller on my Rainforest room for about 6 months and it is a great WiFi co troller that can control 4 different devices. I will use it for cooling down the lights as well with a normal fan set to run when the lights are on.
OP
OP
Lots of build photos on instagram
Size: 12’ x 6’ x 8’ tall
How was it built: it has 2x6 frame with a pond liner to hold water at the bottom. The sides and top are corrugated pvc like you make awning roofs out of. It is completely sealed so no moisture can get out and I used a storm door for the entrance. It has a 4’x6’ deck in it made out of trex so you can stand above the water in the bottom and one side has a 4’ x 6’ pond full of tropical fish and plants.
OP
OP
I added a ventilation fan and moved the outlet closer to the front of the tank so it is easier to reset if the AFCI trips. I also added 2x4’s between the trusses in my attic so I can mount the cabinet doors to the ceiling. Close to having all the dirty attic work complete.
Gumbies R Us
Certified Noob
That is amazing, tang!
Newest member of my tang gang just went into QT
OP
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Thank you, he is definitely going to be a unique addition to the tang gang as I rarely ever see them.
OP
OP
A lot of stuff all coming together, looks like I will be planning for the tank to arrive the week of the 19th of August based on the availability of the team that will be moving it. I did get my custom sump and it is amazing. It is huge and makes my equipment look small which is what the plan was. Having a 8’ x 30” stand means you can oversize and still have room. I designed it to hold 2 roller mats, 2 skimmers, 2 returns and still have room for live rock and a refugium if I decide to go that route.
@lbacha Ok, you've got my attention. I enjoy reading other people's preferences on size, shape, and particularly height. I keep thinking about the Golden Mean, stepping back and saying to myself "What looks right and proportionate for a viewer that is a) mostly sitting down at a desk looking on (and drooling) at his tank, and b) standing height is 5'5". Hmmm, what is my ideal viewing range. Spouse thinks I'm kinda crazy, with a tape measure in my hand all the time! I landed on 26" height sitting on a 27" high stand.Looks like I may go a different route with the tank. I have been chatting g with Joe at glasscages and they have a nice option with low iron eurobracing and white trim that will looks really nice with the stand I’m planning and the low iron eurobracing will ensure maximum light transfer to the tank.
Dimentions: 96x30x24
Glass: low iron from and 1 side
Overflow: synergy ghost on short end
Water flow: two closed loops pulling from the short side and returning through the bottom on each end.
Stand: I’m going to design and built it out of 80/20
I mocked up the tank and stand.
OP
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Lots of thought went into this and still is. I went with a 44” high stand for a couple reason. 1. I want to be able to stand in front of the tank and looks straight into it without stooping 2. I wanted lots of room uunder the stand as the sump has to be under the tank due to its location. 3. We have a bar height table with chairs that will sit next to the tank. The higher stand height will be perfect for that. 25” tank is my max especially with the tank being 30” deep as I want to be able to reach in without getting my head wet lol.
OP
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The sump fits and actually looks small in the stand. I’m going love all this space to work with under the stand. Added some lights to make it easy to see what is going on as well .
OP
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I was originally going to go with a 7’ tank but when I started pricing custom tanks a 8’ tank was the same price due to the size of the sheets of glass (I guess there is a lot of waste with a 7’ tank). I highly recommend building a mockup of the tank to see what it looks like in your space. I’m still using the mockup I built while I wait for the actual tank. I’m starting the rock scape as a wait the final couple weeks for the tank to show up.
This is a great idea, thank you
OP
OP
Tested the sump today it can handle the Vectra L2 at 100% with no issue so around 3000 gph. I don’t plan on running that much through it so I’m pretty happy with my design.
I know it is overkill for the light rack but I decided to add a 5/16” eye bolt drilled through a support beam with a washer and nut on the other side in the attic and then added a heavy turnbuckle.
I know it is overkill for the light rack but I decided to add a 5/16” eye bolt drilled through a support beam with a washer and nut on the other side in the attic and then added a heavy turnbuckle.
areefer01
2500 Club Member
Tested the sump today it can handle the Vectra L2 at 100% with no issue so around 3000 gph. I don’t plan on running that much through it so I’m pretty happy with my design.
I know it is overkill for the light rack but I decided to add a 5/16” eye bolt drilled through a support beam with a washer and nut on the other side in the attic and then added a heavy turnbuckle.
That looks like some pretty flexible pipe. What size was that and what brand out of curiosity? I have mostly seen, or used, the spa flex which is difficult to work with on anything over 1". I've been toying with finding something that would fit 1 1/2.
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