I need a how to guide on a 155 bowfront

[Royalty]

I just recently came accross a 155 bowfront a.k.a "My Dream Tank" from a guy out in NJ I'm having my mother bring it down for me monday seeing how she's still live's in NYC. I found this tank off of Reefcentral by luck, I had just bought a canopy for a 175 bowfront a week before and I wanted to see if anybody had on for sale the I found John K. out in NJ selling he's I kinda tried to playing the just looking game cause I really could afford spending money on any toy's right now. I gave in tho cause it is "My Dream Tank" and After a week of talking to John K. and getting him to give me the tank over the other buyers. I had my mother's friend go and pick it up. So now I wanted to get some inshight from my fellow members with 155 or 175 bowfront's I have my list of goodie's I want to get but if you had a chance to do it over what would you have done differently or added to the tank i.e lighting, powerheads, return pumps livestock,heaters,filtration?

 

[JohnK]

He's an imposter, I'm the real John K



-Is this a RR tank? If not, will you be converting it? Either way, if it's going to be RR, consider a bean or herbie drain insted of the usual duroso. Make sure you understand these options before you decide.
-Lighting, think it through and go with the lights you really want. MH, T5, or LED all could work. If it were me, I would hold out until I could put away some extra cash and then do a DIY LED fixture.
-Think vision. Where do you really want to go with this system? What are your goals? Do you want to create a high energy (light and water movement) SPS tank, or a super efficient system, or a super diverse system, a certain biotope, exct.... Take your time and plan for a goal. Don't rush to get water in there.
-Have a plan for how you want to manage nutrients. DSB, RDSB, Refugim (and what type of ref if you go that route), carbon dosing? Decide this in advance as a part of the "vision" thing.
-Skimmer, I assume you will run one. What skimmer fits your vision? Monster, ultra efficient, coolest new thing, old school but at a great deal, counter current airstone(s) because it's underrated and works well, downdraft for the turnover and oxygenation....

-check to be sure the floor is strong enough where you are going to put the tank.


Input can go on forever here. Do you have any particular questions in mind at the moment?

 

[Royalty]

I'll be sure to let the other guy know how he's twin feels ! lol I was going to list what my Goals where going to be with this tank project but I ran out of typing space on my cheapo Metro phone, Time for an upgrade! Anyways here's the plan I want to restore the the stand reinforce it sand it down and repaint it. Cause it was in use for some time before I got it the other John K. bought it new 4-5 yrs ago it is RR and he gave me the dorso thing that he had with the tank. I'm in no rush to start or finish this tank projuct due to the fact that I'm still apt hunting and will be for the next couple months and even if I did find a place. I would just hold off, I want to buy everything for this tank little buy little and not rush into it like my 72 bow.

 

[Royalty]

I was going to save up for LED's and a Vortech MP40w ES and a MP60 w ES with a battery backup along with a Reef keeper Elite with all the goodies . As far as the skimmer I was thinking a Bubble King or Octopus some rated 300 Gallons and I aslo wanted to run 2x Two little fishies reactors with GFO & Carbon and the new two little fishies Kalk Reactor and a titinum hearter with controler. And I want to make a an acrylic sump refuguim about 40 -60 Gallons and I wanted to use my Mag 18 for the return. I was think of having a mix Reef with LPS SPS softies zoa's etc. so I might want to add a Calcium reactor but I'm sure I'll figure something out

 

[reeferpj]

I was going to save up for LED's and a Vortech MP40w ES and a MP60 w ES with a battery backup along with a Reef keeper Elite with all the goodies . As far as the skimmer I was thinking a Bubble King or Octopus some rated 300 Gallons and I aslo wanted to run 2x Two little fishies reactors with GFO & Carbon and the new two little fishies Kalk Reactor and a titinum hearter with controler. And I want to make a an acrylic sump refuguim about 40 -60 Gallons and I wanted to use my Mag 18 for the return. I was think of having a mix Reef with LPS SPS softies zoa's etc. so I might want to add a Calcium reactor but I'm sure I'll figure something out

this almost sounds like my tank lol. ok if your going sump under mag 18 to big IMA i run a mag 9 it runs the return Kalk Reactor and a Carbon reactor. i think to much water through your sump wont give the water time to get clean. i run the RKE and love it. and it does the heat to. im runing 2 mp40w es and that good i dont think you need the mp60 that thing effen nuts id like to see one run but im good with my 2 40s and i think you would be to i have a costom 40b acrylic sump with fug built in on one side and skimmer and bio pellets on the other with retun in the middle and still have room under the tank for the KR and the c02 tank

any time you want to head down and check it out lmk might be nice for you to see a 155 set up and running sound like the way you want it and i just set it up for the 2end time so i plumbed it twice lol and like the way i did it this time so feel free to come on over

 

[JayM]

I'll be sure to let the other guy know how he's twin feels ! lol I was going to list what my Goals where going to be with this tank project but I ran out of typing space on my cheapo Metro phone, Time for an upgrade! Anyways here's the plan I want to restore the the stand reinforce it sand it down and repaint it. Cause it was in use for some time before I got it the other John K. bought it new 4-5 yrs ago it is RR and he gave me the dorso thing that he had with the tank. I'm in no rush to start or finish this tank projuct due to the fact that I'm still apt hunting and will be for the next couple months and even if I did find a place. I would just hold off, I want to buy everything for this tank little buy little and not rush into it like my 72 bow.

If you're apartment hunting, look for a basement level unit to deal with the weight of the 2,000 pounds from that setup. The 155 was a planned tank size for me as well, but a 6 foot tank just wasn't going to work out in this house.

 

[Royalty]

well do PJ Maybe some next week if we can arrange something. And yeah I had an apt lined up last month very big basement apt 1br but I was a day two late on the depost I was waiting for my pay check . I'm sure I'll find a place to call home soon roommated isn't for me . but yeah I guess I'll keep doing some house searching and some more research on setting up my tank

 

[FOXYB]

Also find somewhere you plan to stay for a long time! I've had to move my tank every year when I move and it's hard enough, I wouldn't want to go thru that with a 6' 155 bow

 

[reeferpj]

Also find somewhere you plan to stay for a long time! I've had to move my tank every year when I move and it's hard enough, I wouldn't want to go thru that with a 6' 155 bow

ya not to easy lol but i just said f it and started all over but i wanted to

 

[Royalty]

I could use your help!

I just got offer'd a 6ft T5 light I was thinking about adding it to my 155 bow but the bulbs are 39watt there's 12 bulbs 36in each total with 6 lunar lights a total of 468 watts not counting the lunar light that's 3 watts per gallon is that enough for a tank that size? I plan to keep clams and sps lps softies zoa's acan's and chalice's, I think the brand name is aquatic life is it worth getting or just save up for my LED's ?

 

[Royalty]

what I really want to know is can the ballast be upgraded to a 54 watt or 80watt and do they make bulbs that would fit a 72in fixture?

 

[Aquaman_68]

sure you don't want to build something like I have? Just think of the electric bill you could have!!!

 

[Royalty]

sure you don't want to build something like I have? Just think of the electric bill you could have!!!

I would love to but I'm clueless on making my own D.I.Y LED fixture I want to go with a dem type with Royal blue Whites a few Red's and a few Greens but figuring out the right heat sinks for the job and ballast and optic's for the LED's and which type x creed or creed 3watt or 2 watt has me super confused I kinda need a price tag in my head so I could figure out which way works best? And so I can start getting my goodies a heat sink here and there helps me control my spending habbits instead of just buying a fixture now just so I can replace it later I guess I kinda answer'd my own question but I still want to know if that light fixture would work on my tank?

 

[jenreef]

Also find somewhere you plan to stay for a long time! I've had to move my tank every year when I move and it's hard enough, I wouldn't want to go thru that with a 6' 155 bow

yea it is a pain in the but moveing my 120 to a second floor. you seen my house royalty and the small stairway. if i ever move (wich i am not) i am down gradeing to a way smaller tank so it is way easer to move

 

[jenreef]

I would love to but I'm clueless on making my own D.I.Y LED fixture I want to go with a dem type with Royal blue Whites a few Red's and a few Greens but figuring out the right heat sinks for the job and ballast and optic's for the LED's and which type x creed or creed 3watt or 2 watt has me super confused I kinda need a price tag in my head so I could figure out which way works best? And so I can start getting my goodies a heat sink here and there helps me control my spending habbits instead of just buying a fixture now just so I can replace it later I guess I kinda answer'd my own question but I still want to know if that light fixture would work on my tank?

i would not go with that light at all just becuase they are only 39 watts per bulb. i ahve the 8 bulb tek light and my bulbs run 54 watts each with individual reflectors so that basicly doubles my light out put. i would not trust that light with clams and sps.

 

[Bruno]

I would never rent my place out to someone with a 6' 2000lb tank..... good luck on your search and make sure you tell them up front

 

[Royalty]

I would never rent my place out to someone with a 6' 2000lb tank..... good luck on your search and make sure you tell them up front

I don't hind it I thought the tank was hard to get a place but it seems my dog is more of an issue go figure??? the minute I get the owners on the phone I tell em' what I have a dog and a 4 tank most of which like the idea of a tank but the dog is like pumping the breaks on me having a place of my own ? At these rate I might have to wait until I move to FL and buy my own house to set up my 155 but it's cool the tank could wait my 72 and 6.5 Fluval is enough for me. Until I get my own place or a nice basement apt.

 

[Royalty]

i would not go with that light at all just becuase they are only 39 watts per bulb. i ahve the 8 bulb tek light and my bulbs run 54 watts each with individual reflectors so that basicly doubles my light out put. i would not trust that light with clams and sps.

I see your point my Tekk 6 bulb on my 72 is great 54watts per bulb with individule reflectors I just needed someone to get me out of the trance lol my triger fingure's ichy to buy the light but I really want my LED's I guess I'll hold off and just buy my AquaC remora nano skimmer for nano tank instead.

 

[Cjtabares]

I don't think the watts per bulb effects par that much. The watts are related to the length of the bulb. I had a 6' t5 fixture with 12 3' bulbs (39 watts each), there were 2 rows of 6 bulbs. If you wanted a 52 watt bulb which are ~ 4' it would be more difficult to fit them over a 6' tank.

Find out how many LEDs you would need, I know there are people here who can help, then go to Rapidled.com or reefledlights.com and you can check out about what it's going to cost for that many LEDs. Then you will have to decide if you want dimmable or not and from there you can decide on the driver you want to use. You will also have to figure out a heat sink that will give you the best coverage for the tank, I am sure you could go with 2 or 3 diffrent sized heat and cover the whole tank well. I have also seen heat sinks that are shaped to fit over bow fronts but idk were to get them or what they cost.

 

[Royalty]

I don't think the watts per bulb effects par that much. The watts are related to the length of the bulb. I had a 6' t5 fixture with 12 3' bulbs (39 watts each), there were 2 rows of 6 bulbs. If you wanted a 52 watt bulb which are ~ 4' it would be more difficult to fit them over a 6' tank.

Find out how many LEDs you would need, I know there are people here who can help, then go to Rapidled.com or reefledlights.com and you can check out about what it's going to cost for that many LEDs. Then you will have to decide if you want dimmable or not and from there you can decide on the driver you want to use. You will also have to figure out a heat sink that will give you the best coverage for the tank, I am sure you could go with 2 or 3 diffrent sized heat and cover the whole tank well. I have also seen heat sinks that are shaped to fit over bow fronts but idk were to get them or what they cost.

really man I wish I had my Laptol right I would google the ish out of the heat sinks