I need some help planning my next reef build.

[STiTCH87]

Planning to build next spring my big-boy setup. This will be planned as my final and long-term tank. Possibly lifetime unless I move to a different house some day.

I have room for a 4 foot tank. I could squeeze 24" of depth but would feel better at 18". So that puts us at either 75g or 90g.
I want a rimless tank, and all I have seen for production rimless in that criteria is the Deep Blue 75g Edge.
Anyone know of anyone making a 90g rimless other than Red Sea and Glass Cages? Trying to keep tank price under $500-$600.

Also wanted to know what companies are out there for a quality 48" stand. I love the sleek look of the Red Sea stands, how they're flat panel, but cannot find anyone making similar nor do I know any carpenters who could make one for me, so i'd need help with that if anyone could.

Suggestions on lighting? I have a 27" Maxspect Razor R420R and plan to either add another 27", or sell mine and go with a full 48" fixture. I really love that light.

Planning an Eshopps Refugium series sump (I forget the model, but RS-100 rings a bell to me). But open to suggestions for sumps. I want something clean and sleek. Not necessarily large. I love how the eshopps is compact so I can have almost half my stand available for storage.

So if anyone can give ideas and suggestions for my build, i'd love to hear them!

I'd like to keep tank under $600, stand under $400, sump under $300, and light under $600 if possible. Skimmer and return pump I am already all set with.

I have to plan now so I can save up because it's a large whack of cash. Then hopefully by tax return time 2016 I can have the funds to make the build a reality.

 

[ReeferSutherland]

Could also do a 120gal or 110 high.

 

[STiTCH87]

Those would both be at 24" depth though, correct? I am trying to avoid that if I can just so I have more room to enter my hallway. I know 6" isn't a huge difference, but this tank will be at the beginning of my hallway so visually I want everything to flow nicely aesthetically. Also, being that I would like to go rimless, tanks that large rimless are kinda scary as well as insanely heavy and very expensive.

For the stand, I want to find someone who can build me this stand in black:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/diy-aquarium-projects/40809-building-ada.html

 

[this is me]

Measure your hall way again. And try hard to get the 24" in there. Aquascape and coral placements is much better with a deep tank.
You are burning the same about of energy to light up a 18" and a 24" tank IMO.

 

[Intheflesh]

what about a Red Sea Reefer 350?

Its right in your price range. I got a quote for $1250 for a black, and it comes with tank, stand, and sump. It uses an overflow similar to a bean animal using 2 drains - one fill syphon and a secondary drain.

efit: I missed your first post where you said "except red sea or glass cages"

 

[STiTCH87]

what about a Red Sea Reefer 350?

Its right in your price range. I got a quote for $1250 for a black, and it comes with tank, stand, and sump. It uses an overflow similar to a bean animal using 2 drains - one fill syphon and a secondary drain.

efit: I missed your first post where you said "except red sea or glass cages"

It's that cheap??? The one I saw was $2,250... I'm confused. I saw the one at Greg's (90g) and hard core fell in love with it. But I thought it said $2,250.

 

[STiTCH87]

Measure your hall way again. And try hard to get the 24" in there. Aquascape and coral placements is much better with a deep tank.
You are burning the same about of energy to light up a 18" and a 24" tank IMO.

Very fair to say. That's why I was leaning for the 90 over the 75 so I could get that height. 120 would be awesome, but the extra sand, larger powerheads, and larger return pump (also larger skimmer) add so much money onto the build that IDK if I want to go that route. Tough because with rimless tanks they are so thick that you have to find a powerhead that can work with that glass thickness and most that can are very pricey. Not that i'm looking to go cheapo on the build, but I also don't want to go all out top of the line either. =\

 

[Intheflesh]

It's that cheap??? The one I saw was $2,250... I'm confused. I saw the one at Greg's (90g) and hard core fell in love with it. But I thought it said $2,250.

From Reeferbuilders.com:

The Reefer 350 is a 47″/120cm long display tank with 328 liters, or 87 gallons and it will be priced at $1475 for the black stand, and $1575 for the white. Finally, the largest kit in the Red Sea Reefer line is the 450 which is 59″/150cm long with a total system volume of 410 liters, 108 gallons and it will round out the top end with a price of $2049 for the black stand and $2149 for the white stand option.

Read more: http://reefbuilders.com/2014/11/19/...icing-early-2015-delivery-date/#ixzz3el052aE0


If you pre-ordered it, there was a discounted price in the 1200ish range.

This was also a few months ago. Maybe prices have gone up since?

 

[STiTCH87]

Well, I saw the 90 in person, which I thought was $2,200+ but I may have misread? I'll call Greg when I leave work and see what current prices are.

In a perfect world prices will drop by the time I can pony up $1.5k+

 

[this is me]

Very fair to say. That's why I was leaning for the 90 over the 75 so I could get that height. 120 would be awesome, but the extra sand, larger powerheads, and larger return pump (also larger skimmer) add so much money onto the build that IDK if I want to go that route. Tough because with rimless tanks they are so thick that you have to find a powerhead that can work with that glass thickness and most that can are very pricey. Not that i'm looking to go cheapo on the build, but I also don't want to go all out top of the line either. =\

Your powerheads would go in the 48" side.
I don't see a point to place powerheads front to back in a 24" tank. Two good size Tunze or Vortech should cover the 48x24 easily.

Besides, would you really want to look straight at your powerheads?

 

[bvs12]

If you end up not going with red sea and need a stand. I can build you what ever you want. Just keep me in mind and pm me when you are ready.

 

[reef87]

Try hard to go for the 24" wide if you can. The 24" makes a big different as a reef tank.
I would rather have 36x24 tank than 48x18 tank but that is just me.

Also, i think DSA also have rimless and some local lfs carry them.

On the deep blue 74g reef ready rimless tank. Their tanks are okay but you wont be happy with the overflow box in their rimless tank. It is so big and right in the middle. The deep blue 80g has corner overflow.
Well.....

Good luck on the new tank setup






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[JohnK]

I would definitely want wide over deep. Deep needs stronger light, is harder to reach into for aqua scraping and cleaning, and (relatively) has less surface area/gas exchange. Wide (front to back) IMO displays better and just plain wins in every way.

For me the real question is; how hard would it be to widen that hallway by about 6"?

 

[STiTCH87]

Try hard to go for the 24" wide if you can. The 24" makes a big different as a reef tank.
I would rather have 36x24 tank than 48x18 tank but that is just me.

Also, i think DSA also have rimless and some local lfs carry them.

On the deep blue 74g reef ready rimless tank. Their tanks are okay but you wont be happy with the overflow box in their rimless tank. It is so big and right in the middle. The deep blue 80g has corner overflow.
Well.....

Good luck on the new tank setup






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Agreed in the center overflow of the deep blue. Was just looking at one and it's definitely large. Also wasn't crazy about how they use clear silicone and how there's still plastic framing on the bottom. Leaning very heavily toward the Red Sea Reefer now. I personally prefer longer tanks over more depth. Love the dimensions of a 90. I know a 120 is a better use of space, but again, thicker glass, pricier equipment, additional sand and rock. I don't plan on keeping any large fish so the added gallons isn't worth the large additional costs for me. Tinkering with the thought of a 75, but that 90 that Greg has just screams reefporn

 

[STiTCH87]

I would definitely want wide over deep. Deep needs stronger light, is harder to reach into for aqua scraping and cleaning, and (relatively) has less surface area/gas exchange. Wide (front to back) IMO displays better and just plain wins in every way.

For me the real question is; how hard would it be to widen that hallway by about 6"?

With the right hammer? As easy as typing this message.

 

[STiTCH87]

Your powerheads would go in the 48" side.
I don't see a point to place powerheads front to back in a 24" tank. Two good size Tunze or Vortech should cover the 48x24 easily.

Besides, would you really want to look straight at your powerheads?

I think I may have worded this wrong or it was interpreted wrong. I meant that with rimless, the glass all around is thicker. So powerheads on the left and right side panels are thicker and thus magnetic ones will need to be the largest models to accommodate for magnetic connection through such thick glass. Probably Jebao RW-10 I'd think. Maybe 8s? Would have to look into specs. Eyeballing the Maxspect Grye though too. But damn is it pricey in comparison. Yes, I'm a jebao fan. Sue me. Lol.

 

[STiTCH87]

If you end up not going with red sea and need a stand. I can build you what ever you want. Just keep me in mind and pm me when you are ready.

Will do! Thanks!

 

[Docstach]

Because of location I have always had to go with longer and narrower (18") tanks as well. Maybe because I have never tried to aquascape a wider tank, but 18" has never seemed to be a problem for me. When I had my 55g (12" wide), it took a little to get the scape right, but once done I thought it was fine. You just have to be aware of the dimensions and plan accordingly. I guess it does limit using the sandbed to place a lot of corals in.

I must be weird because I also prefer my wavemakers on the back of the tank. Much easier to hide IMO. This assumes though that you are using pumps that can be attached on the back but turned so they face the long way.

 

[STiTCH87]

Because of location I have always had to go with longer and narrower (18") tanks as well. Maybe because I have never tried to aquascape a wider tank, but 18" has never seemed to be a problem for me. When I had my 55g (12" wide), it took a little to get the scape right, but once done I thought it was fine. You just have to be aware of the dimensions and plan accordingly. I guess it does limit using the sandbed to place a lot of corals in.

I must be weird because I also prefer my wavemakers on the back of the tank. Much easier to hide IMO. This assumes though that you are using pumps that can be attached on the back but turned so they face the long way.

I actually found out yesterday that the red sea reefer 90 is a long at 5 feet rather than a standard 90 which is a taller 75. Go figure. Stinks, but the 75 dimension fits so perfectly where I want to put it and after seeing it in person, damn is it purdy. I'm not too keen of really deep tanks as I'm short and lanky so these t-rex arms would do me no favors working on a tall tank anyways. 75g it is. Now comes the saving up part. Trouble is, I still need a 70" HDTV, a WiFi thermostat, a sectional sofa, and a hot water heater first. Lol. Ugghhh... Tax season 2016 cannot arrive soon enough.

 

[reef87]

So are you going to get the 75g that is pre-drilled with overflow or are you going to drill it yourself for glass-hole box like you did with your previous glasscages 40g
The glass-hole box is nice but awful loud.


Anyways, the 75g is great size tank. You have the length for some tangs and you have some dept.

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