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Tank Idea (1 Viewer)

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Guest

I have an idea for a tank, which I am sure it has been done before, but just wanted some advice from those in the know!!!

It would be a cube tank for the display, either glass or acrylic. With a "Volcano of rocks" 360 degrees viawable and a spray bar of sorts for the return...

Here is a weak paint image I worked up...Any problems with this idea???

I was thinking of using a 10gal standard tank for the sump, and about a 25-30 gal cube for the display...

Any thoughts/improvements would be great!
 
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ShaneV

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The water will only go as high as the drain line goes into the tank, youll have to raise that to the top of where you want your waterline.
 
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G

Guest

IC...If thats the case, then there will be a problem with noise and/or it would cause a serious vortex...right?

Would a Stockman stand pipe fix that?
 
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shane is correct, but another concern, even if you were able to overwhelm the drain and maintain water level...

if electricity were to ever go out for a minute or so, you will have massive floods, cause water level will drop to the drain levels.
 
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G

Guest

Humm...hadn't thought about the Flooding issue...Would there be any way to put some sort of "check" valve? or shut-off valve in the lines to prevent this?

This is starting to sound like there are more problems then it would be worth...But I think if could get them figured out, then it would be a really Nice Clean looking tank with great flow, and room for a ton of coral
 
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Guest

if the drain line was high enough i dont see why it would flood as long as there is room in your sump for a little to drain in to it with the pump off.

or also you could build a over flow box a complete square an then you could have your drain line down there and that would help with the sound.
 
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BayAreaAquarium

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hey twilson if you make the pipe that the water will flow into as high as the top (actually just a little bit shorter than the top) then everything is fine. the flooding issue isn't really an issue...the picture that you have gives the impression that the water is going to be toward the top of the tank and the pipe is only middle of the tank. that really isn't going to happen unless your pipe is small and the return pump over powers the drain.

i think that toefu is talking about that. that if you "did" have a pipe that low that if the power were to go out that the sump you have would overflow. so again just make sure the pipe is high up and you will not have a problem.
 
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If you wanted to have it where no pipes are showing you could use a canister filter. Since its a sealed system, its like a closed loop and wouldnt matter if the electricity went off. Just make sure to put valves on it so you can clean the canister.
 
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MarkieB

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ShaneV said:
If you wanted to have it where no pipes are showing you could use a canister filter.
Click to expand...
or just build your volcano above sea level as most of them are! :wink:
then you could bring the pipe to the water level you want to maintain!
 
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G

Guest

Yeah, i had thought about the Canister filter idea, but was not sure how well those really work with a reef system...

Also as inthe diagram, I would like to have ALL the piping hidden, BUT Who is to say the rock work can't go all the way to the top of the tank...err...just below it actually would be just fine...With a little extra room in the sump, and I could be in business...

Another though I had was to possibly intergrate the two pipes into one...Have the return into the tank flow outside, around the drain pipe...Does that make sense??? But I think that is just more of a PITA then its worth, although you would only need one bulkhead...
 
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Guest

Thanks for all the input...As this is an idea that I have been kicking around to build a tank for my office, and am glad I asked first!!! As there are a few flaws in my original design...

Any other thoughts...As far as Canister filters, any one have any luck with them an lightly loaded reefs??? Because that would make this a BREEZE to set up...Would a skimmer be needed then???
 
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Guest

Thanks for the links...That is a GREAT looking tank for sure!!!
 
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MCR

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twilson2003 said:
As far as Canister filters, any one have any luck with them an lightly loaded reefs???
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Im one of the few who runs a canister on a reef (I have an Eheim on my 30 gal cube). Actually, Ive run canisters on nearly every tank Ive owned over the last few years (fw and sw). Never had a problem. Theyre quiet, compact, and efficient. No complex plumbing required, no risk of overflow. Gotta love em!!
 
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Guest

Yeah, I think that is the way to go with a setup like this...Convert half of it into a Fuge, and VOILA!!! You are set...

That being said, what media do you run in you canister??? And do you supplement your tank with powerheads for any extra circulation???
 
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MCR

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twilson2003 said:
That being said, what media do you run in you canister??? And do you supplement your tank with powerheads for any extra circulation???
Click to expand...

Yes on the powerheads. Ive had two Seios 620s until recently, when I aquired a Maxijet and wavemaker setup. I like alot of flow and I run my tank barebottom (starboard). As for the canister, I run Ehfisubstrat Pro (sintered glass biomedia) in two baskets, and a bagged phosphate remover in another. On occasion Ill also run a carbon filter pad in addition to the standard pads. Levels have been very consistent with only regular weekly water changes.
 
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Guest

Great info MCR...Thank you VERY much!!!

What I am thinking is doing the Cube as planned, probably an acrylic one from GlassCages (Any other tank builder suggestion in the area are welcome, because I would prefer Glass)...

And then using an Eheim Canister (waiting for good deal on Ebay or something)...And I would love to use the BLACK Tahitian Moon sand, although as found in my research, it shows debris really bad...But with a small tank it will be easy to maintain...besides I try to work as little as possible while im at work, so this will be a GREAT excuse to do that!!!!

Any trouble with that set up from what yall can see???
 
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