need some opinions on a future new setup.

[bostoneric]

I have two 33gallon long tanks (48 x 12½ x 13). one is a acrylic which is going to be the display tank and the other is old school thick glass which i'm going to use for the refugium.

I'm not exactly sure what method I should take when planning out the plumbing. I'd like to try and get/build a skimmer that covers as much surface area as possible but not take to much room inside the display tank.

I would also like to make the refugium somewhat display-ish
What I hoping for is to build a stand with the display tank at a height so it doesnt require bending over to look into. and just below it with enough room for lights and plumbing I'll mount the refug. I'll build the stand so that only a good center portion of the refug is displayed. I find the refug is very interesting to watch sometimes also.

so any opinions and idea will greatly be appreciated.
thanks everybody.

 

[JohnK]

Sounds like a nice set up.

The first thing that comes to mind for me is, if your already going to build a 2 tank stand, why not put the ref above, and add another tank just for sump/skimmer/other equipment below, with the display at the eye level you want. That would be an awsome set up, you'd get the natural food growing in the ref - flowing directly into the display and both could be totally viewable. If this sounds interesting at all, PM me your e-mail and I can send you a pic or two of my 20 over 20 rack (with room for a sump and skimmer below), not fancy, but functional.

jk

 

[bostoneric]

sure, I'd love to see some pics of different ideas.

 

[bostoneric]

 

[bostoneric]

anybody?