Boudster's Dual Tank In-Wall Shallow Reef Project (1 Viewer)

[boudster]

Contstruction started yesterday on my new dual tank in-wall setup. The"main" tank is going to be a shallow reef tank (18" high, 4' long, 3' deep). I had this tank custom built by one of our sponsors, Global Fish 'N Pets. Those of you who have met me know that I am very short, so with my short arms I wanted to go with a very short tank, but I still wanted the water volume. This tank provides 135 Gallons spread over a very wide area.

The second tank, which will be undeneath the shallow reef, will be a 120G agressive tank, as I love agressive fish.

Scott from MARSH came over yesterday to start constructing the stand in my fish room. Here are some pics:

I will hopefully be picking up the tank tomorrow. More details on plumbing, etc to come (once I figure out what I want to do )

Suggestions are always welcome!

 

[texasmckanes]

That's going to be awesome! You've just opened up a whole new idea for me in terms of my dream tank (now tanks!).
-B

 

[Scott]

Who's the "tough" guy with the pretty pink paper?

(I know it's me, I just figured I'd point it out before someone else did)

 

[ShaneV]

Looking good!

 

[lilred1995vette]

Awesome! happy to see it coming along!

 

[FireEater]

I see you are reading the Building Permit.

 

[slyfox]

sweeet!!

 

[deepsea43]

you have to have a building permit to build something inside your house? whats up with that?

 

[boudster]

you have to have a building permit to build something inside your house? whats up with that?

The permit comment was just a joke....in that pic he's looking at the blueprints that he drew up. He specifically requested that I print them out on pink paper...right Scott?

 

[deepsea43]

oh im pretty sure he digs the pink.

 

[Scott]

That way they would match the underwear I picked out specially for construction that day.

 

[deepsea43]

does your wife know about this scott? she might be interested more than we.

 

[boudster]

Ok, I need some advice. The tank is ready now. The overflow is a Calfo style and has 2 1" holes drilled for drainage. My goal is to get all of the flow from a closed loop system so I don't have to have any powerheads in the tank.

How big of a hole should I have drilled for the intake of the closed loop system? How many GPH should the external pump be able to handle, and how many holes should I have drilled for the return of the closed loop...and where should I have them drilled? I would like all holes to be on the back of the tank.

Ideas? Diagrams would be helpful. The dimensions of the back of the tank are 48" X 18", The overflow is centered at the top and I beleive it is about 8" X 6". I was thinking the intake for the closed loop could be drilled right below the overflow.....but I'm not sure what would be best for everything else.

Also, as far as the return from the sump to the tank, should I have holes drilled for that, or should I just run it up and over the back of the tank?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tas5tas]

Drill 2-1" drains for the closed loop...have 4-1" returns for the closed loop. I would use a Dart for the pump. It will give you around 3200-3600gph. I have a 125g(6 foot long) that I'm in the process of setting up and that's how I did mine, except I have 6 returns( 4 in the back wall and 1 in each side wall at the top). Either use strainers on your drains or you can make your own as I did by connecting the 2 drains together inside the tank with a piece of PVC thats been cut with slots in it.

 

[tedu]

Here's the back panel of my tank, might give you some ideas.

 

[landfish]

looks like you off to a good start

 

[ebayes11]

Jim, good to see you're getting started - let me know if you need any help.

 

[GAW]

This is going to be sweet! Are you going to drill the holes yourself for the closed loop?

 

[boudster]

No, John at Global Fish 'N Pets is drilling them...I ordered the custom tank from him. I haven't picked it up yet, but hopefully I will find time one of these days.

 

[boudster]

Ok, I'm going to go with your design Ted (it's actually pretty much identical to what Scott suggested, so I figure 2 experienced reefers' opinions can't be wrong )