Plans for Custom 50G 24x24x20 Starphire "Cube"

[Joshbd]

There are currently a number of build thread for tanks approx. this size, but I've been toying with the idea of having a custom 50G tank built for some time now. And, given that it's probably been occupying far too much of my thoughts, I'm glad to finally have the plans down on paper (i.e., google Sketchup).

Basically, the plan is for a 24x24x20 rimless, clear silicone, 3-sided starphire tank with a false wall 4 inches off the back.



As you hopefully see from the pictures, the water level in the right chamber will be the same as the tank. With the addition of a pump, it will essentially serve as a "closed loop", plus a place to put a heater, etc. The water enters the middle chamber via the overflow and will house a bunch of rubble which can be easily removed as a unit for rinsing, likely with some kind of replaceable filter pad on top. The left chamber will house two 1" drains and a 1" return. I plan to run a basic herbie method where I will have a gate valve on one drain and leave the second completely open as a backup.


Sump will consist of a 15H tank with acrylic baffles in the shape of a "T" allowing for three section: drain / skimmer, refugium and return.



So, I think that's about it. I'm moving in September and want to have everything in place to avoid transitioning things twice, but we shall see...
Now for the questions - Anyone see something I've done horribly wrong or that doesn't make sense?

Also, who's the best company or person for custom tanks. I'd prefer not to go Glasscages based on some of the quality issues I've read about. I've seen the name C.S. / Randoma around these forums a bunch, and from what I've read the work quality appears great, so I may see if he is accepting orders.

Thanks, and I get wait to get this show on the road!

 

[SteveDola]

looks like a nice size. my question is what are the dimensions on a solana? they make a tank similar to this is think.

 

[Kevin McG]

looks like a nice size. my question is what are the dimensions on a solana? they make a tank similar to this is think.

20"x20"x20"

 

[SteveDola]

oooooh ok my bad


i thought that a company came out with a 2ft cube starfire all enclusive tank. it was on RC a while back. I was looking at it but the delivery date was some time in july

 

[Joshbd]

The dimensions on a Solana are 20x20x20, so a little smaller than what I'm going for, and finding the Starphire version is difficult. Plus, my setup in back is a little bit different I think (but certainly a very similar concept). However, the bigger issue is that I want to run a sump, and don't know what I think about drilling three holes in the bottom of that thing.


And, if I bought an off the shelf tank I'd have less to obsess over, and what's the fun of that!



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Wow, I need to speed up my typing... you guys have a fast response!

 

[Doherty]

Cube tanks are the best! I have a 20g cube...... Would love to upgrade to a larger cube in the near future.

 

[Kevin McG]

The dimensions on a Solana are 20x20x20, so a little smaller than what I'm going for, and finding the Starphire version is difficult. Plus, my setup in back is a little bit different I think (but certainly a very similar concept). However, the bigger issue is that I want to run a sump, and don't know what I think about drilling three holes in the bottom of that thing.


And, if I bought an off the shelf tank I'd have less to obsess over, and what's the fun of that!



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Wow, I need to speed up my typing... you guys have a fast response!

My Solana came with a front panel that is Starphire but they were a limited production so they are kinda hard to find I think.

 

[Joshbd]

Steve,

I think this is what you were referring to:

http://www.current-usa.com/solanaxl.html

Certainly an interesting option given that it has an overflow and starphire...
although I still like the idea of going the custom route. If I am going to spend the kind of money I am guessing that thing will cost, I feel like I might as well spend a bit more and get exactly what I want.

 

[Miller]

Should be nice. A couple weeks ago I ordered a custom 24x24x20!!!!!! No false wall in my tank though....she will be plumbed into the basement sump

 

[SteveDola]

I really like the black silicone that CS used on mine. I would suggest the black but its all personal pref.

 

[SteveDola]

my overflow is super quiet and it hasnt even broken in yet. just an idea rather than drilling the bottom glass and having a full length overflow. If I had it to do over again Id have the return come directly through the coast to coast overflow rather than below but that idea came to my attention a few months too late(thanks Johnny ).

 

[stingythingy45]

"As you hopefully see from the pictures, the water level in the right chamber will be the same as the tank. With the addition of a pump, it will essentially serve as a "closed loop", plus a place to put a heater, etc."

Why not just do a closed loop out of the tank and chamber?
I'm just thinking this is wasted space.Also,why not put the heater in the sump or overflow chamber?


" The water enters the middle chamber via the overflow and will house a bunch of rubble which can be easily removed as a unit for rinsing, likely with some kind of replaceable filter pad on top."

Easily removed?
It will be hard to stick your hand down 20 inches and get rocks out of a 4" x 7" area.
Again,this stuff could be put in the refugium and not take up room in the display.

"The left chamber will house two 1" drains and a 1" return. I plan to run a basic herbie method where I will have a gate valve on one drain and leave the second completely open as a backup."

I would go with one 1 " drain pretty muck like a Mega-flo system.I have this on my system and it's very quiet and reliable.Also,I'd probably go with a 3/4 inch return.This would really depend on the pump.I'd look into the Ehiem hobby pumps.I've heard nothing but good about them from many reefer's.
Just one internal chamber for this would be best.Or even better if it's custom made put it external.
I don't care for the herbie emergency overflow thing and slowing overflows down.I'd be nervous about all the holes that close either.


"Sump will consist of a 15H tank with acrylic baffles in the shape of a "T" allowing for three section: drain / skimmer, refugium and return."

This is the place for all the equipment,rocks ect.
Try to go as big as you can.

 

[Joshbd]

Ya, I definitely like the look of the black silicone, the way it kinda frames the tank. But, I also really like the Elos/ADA edges that just disappear, we shall see...

I went back and forth between coast-to-coast versus extending the overflow all the way down. While I definitely lose usable tanks space, I'm not going to have a ton of sump space and think it might make it a bit cleaner for me if I can hide some of the equipment up top.

Plus, I'm OCD and like the idea of a flat back to the viewable portion of the tank.

 

[stingythingy45]

Maybe this.
Just bored here at work right now.
BTW,that was a pretty nice drawing you did.

 

[Joshbd]

I definitely agree this design wastes a decent amount of viewable space (4x24x20). But, I am OK with that because I think it will offer some operational advantages.

Why not just do a closed loop out of the tank and chamber?
I'm just thinking this is wasted space.Also,why not put the heater in the sump or overflow chamber?

I like the closed loop inside the tank because I think the less holes I end up drilling in the glass (and less potential for leaks / failures) the better. Also, the heater would go in that section because water will be continuously flowing through it, and therefore keeping everything up to temp, regardless of if I have the sump off for feeding/maintenance.

Easily removed?
It will be hard to stick your hand down 20 inches and get rocks out of a 4" x 7" area.
Again,this stuff could be put in the refugium and not take up room in the display.

With the 15H sump, I'm not going to have much room for a large refugium. So, putting rubble in the middle chamber would be an easy way of expanding it. As for cleaning, all I need is to build a little box out of plastic egg crate (the stuff from Home Depot's lighting section) and I'll be able to lift all the rubble out as a single unit for a quick dunk in the leftover tank water after a water change.

I would go with one 1 " drain pretty muck like a Mega-flo system.I have this on my system and it's very quiet and reliable.Also,I'd probably go with a 3/4 inch return.This would really depend on the pump.I'd look into the Ehiem hobby pumps.I've heard nothing but good about them from many reefer's.
Just one internal chamber for this would be best.Or even better if it's custom made put it external.
I don't care for the herbie emergency overflow thing and slowing overflows down.I'd be nervous about all the holes that close either.

You are exactly right on the pump, already have an Eheim 1250 I plan to use. I've done a lot of reading and testing in this area, and I'm very confident in the herbie method, as long as a backup drain is in place. Also, since my tank is in the bedroom, noise is of the utmost importance to me. If I'd trust a single 1" drain in a megaflow system, why wouldn't I trust a completely open 1" drain, PLUS a slightly reduced 1" drain in a herbie method? 3/4" return is probably a good idea though, need to check the specs on the pump...

This is the place for all the equipment,rocks ect.
Try to go as big as you can.

Ya, a lot comes down to personal preference, and I like the 24x20x20 dimensions. I was actually originally planning on building the tank that size with corner overflow, but said, "hey, why don't I just make the tank a little deeper instead." I'm sure I'll lust after a bigger tank in the future (once I don't have to deal with apartments). But for, now 4 inches of depth is a fair trade for me. Thanks for the comments, definitely good to think things through!

 

[Joshbd]

Cool, I like the drawing! What did you use if not google sketchup?

That's funny, I originally designed a tank exactly like that, but 24x20x20 based off this design..

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=192316

But, my thought was that it would be more expensive to build and perhaps more likely to leak. All I did, was essentially take that designed with the external overflow and spread it out to the edges. On the other hand, I could have the tank be 24x28x20, keep my back section, and gain the four inches back

 

[stingythingy45]

I have one of these on my 90 gallon RR.
And it's pretty quiet.I was actually quite surprised.
I had to deal with an HOB for a year,and this is night and day.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ubref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0018699000000

 

[stingythingy45]

Cool, I like the drawing! What did you use if not google sketchup?

That's funny, I originally designed a tank exactly like that, but 24x20x20 based off this design..

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=192316

But, my thought was that it would be more expensive to build and perhaps more likely to leak. All I did, was essentially take that designed with the external overflow and spread it out to the edges. On the other hand, I could have the tank be 24x28x20, keep my back section, and gain the four inches back

I used a CAD system called Solid Works.It's our system we use here at work for creating solid models for engineering.It doesn't do very well getting transferred to a JPEG to post a picture.That's a picture rendered from a solid 3D model on my computer.Looks much better in Solid format.
I couldn't see the pictures on nano-reef,might be blocked here.

 

[Joshbd]

Nice, I've heard of solid works, but never used it personally. Supposed to be a great program, and really powerful. Honestly, SketchUp is great because it's free, but otherwise it's a bit of an exercise in frustration. Takes awhile to get everything the way you want.

Nano-reef must be blocked for you, I just checked and can see pics fine. Definitely worth checking out too, it's an absolutely amazing tank. Stole a few pics...

 

[stingythingy45]

Yeah,it's a very user friendly program.It actually only took me about 5-10 minutes to create that model.
I can see the photos here....nice looking tank.I used to poke around on nano-reef back when I first started and had a 20L.