Fishy Business

Gimmito's 450 gal L-shaped tank

rygh said:
gimmito said:
rygh said:
Definitely a nice looking setup.
Serious envy --- until I get my new big tank of course --- which is going frustratingly slow.
A couple of quick questions on that track:

1) Do you like the full 1" thick front?
Any real noticeable loss in visibility?
I am having a terrible time deciding on acrylic thickness.

2) Did you deal directly with Kritter, or through a LFS?
And if LFS, who?


Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hey Mark,

1) I initially went with the 1" acrylic on the front b/c of the possibility of "bowing." Ultimately, the 2" tubular steel took care of that problem. I haven't noticed a difference between 3/4" and 1".

2) I dealt directly with Gen at Krittertanks and would recommend him.

http://www.krittertanks.com/

You're doing a 250 right ? What dimensions are you thinking ?

JIm
Click to expand...

Yes.
Planning 88" long, 28" wide, 24" tall.
Since it is only 24" tall, I am really deciding between 1/2", 5/8" (if anyone uses that), and 3/4".
I really dislike the bowing as well. Partly aesthetics, partly fear.
I figured if 1" is good, then 3/4" will be an non-issue.

I rather your tubular steel top though. Having huge openings is such a win.
More to think about.
Glad I am not in a big hurry.
Click to expand...

Any particular reason for the 88" long ? I would recommend going with a deeper tank personally (example 72" long x 36" or deeper x 24"). It will give you more options rockscaping wise. Another factor with a short tank is if you keep sps you might be pruning alot once the corals mature. Although, you can get away with only using 250 watt mh or even led's. Also, you will need a taller stand (possibly 42") this will give you 28" from the top of the tank to the ceiling (in a standard 8' ceiling). I love the openess of the tank with the steel frame and highly recommend it. It hasn't seen salt water yet (as you can see from some posts), but is powder coated to help prevent that. I take it you are doing a free standing tank ? or a in-wall ?

I'm in millbrae if you ever want to check out my tank and Gen's work.

Jim
 
rygh said:
Speaking of tubular steel : Any sign of corrosion problems yet?
I guess it has been almost a year.
Click to expand...


But the tank hasn't even seen water yet?
 
gimmito said:
rygh said:
gimmito said:
rygh said:
Definitely a nice looking setup.
Serious envy --- until I get my new big tank of course --- which is going frustratingly slow.
A couple of quick questions on that track:

1) Do you like the full 1" thick front?
Any real noticeable loss in visibility?
I am having a terrible time deciding on acrylic thickness.

2) Did you deal directly with Kritter, or through a LFS?
And if LFS, who?


Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hey Mark,

1) I initially went with the 1" acrylic on the front b/c of the possibility of "bowing." Ultimately, the 2" tubular steel took care of that problem. I haven't noticed a difference between 3/4" and 1".

2) I dealt directly with Gen at Krittertanks and would recommend him.

http://www.krittertanks.com/

You're doing a 250 right ? What dimensions are you thinking ?

JIm
Click to expand...

Yes.
Planning 88" long, 28" wide, 24" tall.
Since it is only 24" tall, I am really deciding between 1/2", 5/8" (if anyone uses that), and 3/4".
I really dislike the bowing as well. Partly aesthetics, partly fear.
I figured if 1" is good, then 3/4" will be an non-issue.

I rather your tubular steel top though. Having huge openings is such a win.
More to think about.
Glad I am not in a big hurry.
Click to expand...

Any particular reason for the 88" long ? I would recommend going with a deeper tank personally (example 72" long x 36" or deeper x 24"). It will give you more options rockscaping wise. Another factor with a short tank is if you keep sps you might be pruning alot once the corals mature. Although, you can get away with only using 250 watt mh or even led's. Also, you will need a taller stand (possibly 42") this will give you 28" from the top of the tank to the ceiling (in a standard 8' ceiling). I love the openess of the tank with the steel frame and highly recommend it. It hasn't seen salt water yet (as you can see from some posts), but is powder coated to help prevent that. I take it you are doing a free standing tank ? or a in-wall ?

I'm in millbrae if you ever want to check out my tank and Gen's work.

Jim
Click to expand...

I am fairly limited in size/shape since it is going in an alcove. The alcove is 90" x 30". Need a bit of space around it.

Yes the depth was another flip-flop decision point.
One of the main considerations for me was that my arms are 24" long.
Basically, it makes the whole thing a lot simpler. So I just have to prune a bit...
Also, I only have fish and softies so far. Not sure how into hard corals I will get.
I do plan on LED lighting, although with optics, that can light a deep tank as well.

Pretty funny about the corrosion thing I guess.
If it makes you feel better, I have been planning/futzing for about 6 months as well. About done with the stand
and part of the filter.


For fun, here is where it will go.




From Aquarium_Release
 
gimmito said:
Sweet....looking forward to the build thread.

Jim
Click to expand...

Well, I had some spare time this evening.
I had been taking pics, but never getting around to posting. Finally did.
See new DIY thread on the stand build.
http://www.bareefers.org/home/node/10955

But I don't want to derail your thread here. Yeah ... seems like that never happens on this site....
 
rygh said:
gimmito said:
Sweet....looking forward to the build thread.

Jim
Click to expand...

Well, I had some spare time this evening.
I had been taking pics, but never getting around to posting. Finally did.
See new DIY thread on the stand build.
http://www.bareefers.org/home/node/10955

But I don't want to derail your thread here. Yeah ... seems like that never happens on this site....
Click to expand...
:D
 
photo-66.jpg


Got a chance to finally start installing the FRP in the fishroom aka the garage. :bigsmile:
 
FRP = ???

At any rate, I ended up ordering a topless tank with stainless steel rim from Kritter.
Inspired by your thread, many thanks.
Well, at least if it works out well. If not, it is all your fault, and I will sue.
Might even get it this weekend.

So a CHALLENGE: Lets see who puts a fish in their tank first.
A beer to the winner. :beer:
I am not that speedy either, so no worries. Might be faster, but my current target is around Xmas.
 
make sure to take plenty of pictures of that stainless steel rim, I'm curious how Gen will do that, if he'll epoxy coat/powdercoat the steel or what not.
 
I will let you know on the SS rim. Should be basically the same as steel. Not much different to weld.
It is only 403 stainless, so will stain with rust, just not rust out, so it is still painted.
I will be updating pics here.
Rygh journal link
I hope I get it this weekend.

But definitely a different plan. I am much more into the fish than the corals. And may not do many hard corals at all.
 
sfsuphysics said:
make sure to take plenty of pictures of that stainless steel rim, I'm curious how Gen will do that, if he'll epoxy coat/powdercoat the steel or what not.
Click to expand...


From what I've seen the steel gets powdercoated and bolted tot he tank with stainless bolts, the bolts are then sealed in with E6000 to be extra safe :)
 
sfsuphysics said:
make sure to take plenty of pictures of that stainless steel rim, I'm curious how Gen will do that, if he'll epoxy coat/powdercoat the steel or what not.
Click to expand...
The plan is just to use automotive paint. Sticks well to metal, meant for outdoors.
The stainless will not rust out, it just turns brown in spots on the surface, and stains.
Funny - stained stainless.
My other hobby is sailing, so some experience with rust there.

The paint is really just there to make it look nice.
No need for epoxy or fancy powder coating.
 
rygh said:
FRP = ???

At any rate, I ended up ordering a topless tank with stainless steel rim from Kritter.
Inspired by your thread, many thanks.
Well, at least if it works out well. If not, it is all your fault, and I will sue.
Might even get it this weekend.

So a CHALLENGE: Lets see who puts a fish in their tank first.
A beer to the winner. :beer:
I am not that speedy either, so no worries. Might be faster, but my current target is around Xmas.
Click to expand...
That's great news.. So your the tank Gen was mentioning he had to get done this week. Lol.
I'm interested to see how that ss rim turns out also. Gen's making a fuge for my qt that I will be able to keep online or offline if I need to medicate. He was selling these cube shape acrylic boxes that I'm going use to stack the rock on in the tank.
You'll definitely have fish in before me, I'm trying the European method and go fishless for 6 months. I'll have plenty of corals in it though. :D

FRP=Fiberglass Reinforced Panels. They are what you find in commercial bathrooms. I don't want to chance of mold or whatnot and be able to wipedown easily.
Jim
 
rygh said:
I am much more into the fish than the corals. And may not do many hard corals at all.
Click to expand...

Checkout this soft coral tank of the month...it's insane :exmark:

http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-month/45090-reef-month-july-2010-a.html


Jim
 
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