60-100g newbuild (1 Viewer)

[BeltwayBandit]

So my son is heading off to college and I’m getting back into the reef aquarium game. I ran an AGA 120 reef ready setup 15 years ago. I broke it down and sold it when we left DC and life got busy. I’ll try to dig around and see if I have some old pics. It was a mixed reef with SPS, LPS, softies, an awesome carpet anemone, and several clams. My goal is to set up a custom tank in the 60-100g range focusing on SPS and clams with some fish and maybe some LPS. Ive got a 5 foot wall in my living room that I have permission from SWMBO to use. My first thought was a 24 inch cube, but I’ve gone around and around and am leaning towards a 30x27X27 ~100g setup. I’m looking to go rimless with an Orphek Atlantik light bar, reef octopus 150 skimmer, 2 Maxspec gyre 350 wavemakers. After that I’m open to suggestions. I’m looking at Glass Cages for the tank and sump build starphire on three sides. I’m intrigued by the reef rollers and the controllers are so much more advanced than the old x-10 controllers I used before. I will likely get a controller sooner rather than later but I’ve got some time on that decision. Im also looking at ATO options. Kalk and calcium are on the long range plan so I need to plan space for them (or figure out what folks do now instead of Kalk stirrers and calcium reactors).

So that is the plan. Im beginning to accumulate some of the peripherals. Looking to order the tank for late summer early fall delivery (if possible). Any suggestions or additional things to consider would be appreciated. Especially ATO options.

 

[RR-MAN]

You can’t go wrong with either Waterbox or Red Sea tanks. Both have great ATO options.

Customs tanks are nice but it’s a lot of hassle to get one and you have to wait months.

 

[R-BallJunkie]

fill/max the space up or look at a tank swap in a year after you get itchy. spend the $$$, don't be in denial. look at planet tanks too. Tx made.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

I know custom tanks are a hassle, but I have some time and I don’t like the standard tank sizes in the 80-100g range. I’m taking my time and getting it right the first time, hopefully. As far as going bigger later, I don’t have the space that’s why I’m looking at a custom to maximize what I do have.

 

[air_run]

I am not sure if you have ever done maintenance on that tall of an aquarium before as it can become cumbersome. Just a suggestion as your 30x27x27 dimensions is practically a cube anyway but, if you are going to go custom, I would suggest maybe thinking about just going with a 30x30x24. It's the same size gallon wise and would be a tad easier to reach the bottom/maintain and actually would be more aesthetically pleasing (IMHO anyway) especially for a rimless. Just a thought.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

I had a standard 120 so I’ve had a 24 inch high. I like the look of taller tanks but I can see where cleaning could be an issue. I am not set on the dimensions but 27 inch width is about as wide as I can go for the space I have. I’m on a 5 foot section of wall. I’d like to leave space on either side to frame the tank. I don’t like the wall to wall completely full look. Whatever I decide, I will build cardboard mock ups to get a better idea of the shape. I’m looking to get the largest volume in an aesthetically pleasing form for the space I have.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

Just a quick update. I have placed an order with Glasscages for my tank build. It will be ~114 gallon 36x28x26 glass aquarium with low iron front and sides and a custom stand. I will pick it up mid August when I am driving through the Nashville area on my way back from dropping my son off at college. Can't wait to get this started.

Specs (so far):
Tank: Glasscages custom 36x28x24 (drilled with corner overflow) standard braced top.
Lights: Atlantik Orphek v4
Skimmer: Reef Octopus Classic 150sss 6"
Filtration: Red Sea ReefMat 500
Controller: GHL ProfiLux 4
Kalk Stirrer: Avast K1 Kalk Stirrer

 

[BeltwayBandit]

I got the sketch from glasscages today. Only change will be to move the overflow to the other corner

 

[BeltwayBandit]

The tank is here!!! It ended up being about 113 gallons. The stand and canopy are unfinished, so my next step is to either stain them myself or get it done professionally. Any recommendations on reasonable painting/staining services would be appreciated. I can bring the pieces to the shop.

 

[Nickm3]

The tank is here!!! It ended up being about 113 gallons. The stand and canopy are unfinished, so my next step is to either stain them myself or get it done professionally. Any recommendations on reasonable painting/staining services would be appreciated. I can bring the pieces to the shop.

Its not that hard to stain it yourself. just take a little time and elbow grease.

 

[Erin]

The tank is here!!! It ended up being about 113 gallons. The stand and canopy are unfinished, so my next step is to either stain them myself or get it done professionally. Any recommendations on reasonable painting/staining services would be appreciated. I can bring the pieces to the shop.

There is a guy in Spring that builds custom stands... he might be willing to do the stain; overall his prices are very reasonable. PM me if you want his info

 

[BeltwayBandit]

There is a guy in Spring that builds custom stands... he might be willing to do the stain; overall his prices are very reasonable. PM me if you want his info

Thanks. I was able to find a commercial furniture repair shop to do the work.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

Its not that hard to stain it yourself. just take a little time and elbow grease.

I know it isn't hard, I don't have the space nor the talent to make it look as nice as I want it to. Me and painting don't do too well together.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

Holding tank/QT/FRAG system is up and running. KP aquatics live rock arriving tomorrow to begin cycle/pest removal.

 

[soymilk]

Very cool. Take pics of all the critters you get on the liverock

 

[BeltwayBandit]

So far I’ve found several brittle stars and a pistol shrimp. The rock looks really nice. This is the premium rock from KP. The shrimp got tossed into the sump. If he lives I’ll figure out something to do with him.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

Not sure what this is. But it seems to have opened up some since being placed in the tank.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

Let there be light!

 

[BeltwayBandit]

Sandstorm time. I also need to level out the sand a bit. I built the rockwork on the tank bottom, then added sand. Not the easiest to get it evenly distributed. But I won’t have to worry about the rock getting undermined. I’ve also got the 30 lbs of kp aquatics rock to add in a week or so once I have this dialed in. Still need to add my gyre wavrmakers, GHL profilux, start up the skimmer and reef roller. The last 2 are installed in the sump just not on yet.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

Some hitchhikers and my first corals for the new tank. These are still in my holding system for now. The fireworm was evicted with tongs.

The corals were ordered from www.pacificeastaquaculture.com This was one of my go to vendors when I had my original tank when I lived in DC. They were great supporters of WAMAS (the DC reef club).