My New Tank - What do you think?

[vatso]

Hi All

Firstly let me say hi - I am very new to this & use to have a tank many years back but only for a short time.

I am a diver & love all sea life & as such would like some of that at home!

I stay in Midrand JHB, seems most of you guys are from the coast?

The tank I would like to build will be 2.5ML X 1.5MH X 800W

I want both fish & coral & all coral life in my tank, sort of a small part of the ocean in my house!

I am not sure about the rest of the equipment I will need - I am happy with the different lights I will need & having them on at different times.

What I lake is understanding what I will need to make sure the water will be okay for all to live - also I would like A wave type device! & where should I do all the cleaning? in the sump tank under the main tank & do I use a skinner or not? I am away for a week some times & want to try have the tank be okay that the period of time!

My last tank was a pain as I had to fill it everyday with water I hope I can overcome this now? with a good float system

I will be doing this very slowly & want to take my time in making sure I get the right equipment & not rushing into it & having to rebuy stuff.

Thanks all

 

[viper357]

Welcome vatso, your idea's sound like you're on the right track. You will get plenty of help here.

Only one thing, with your tank being 1,5 metres high, it is going to be incredibly difficult to work in, my tank is 75cm high and unless I am literally laying on top of the tank then I cannot reach the bottom in order to do maintenance or clean up etc. etc.

 

[Mike]

Hi Vatso,
I would be inclined to go wider than high, it gives you more floor space and can create a lagoon type view and a tank 2.5m long and say 1m wide would look fantastic.

 

[vatso]

Thanks for the reply

Very True - how much cleaning is needed on the glass and at the bottom of the tank?

Are marine tanks not less "cleaning?" then fresh water?

I think you could be right - Maybe I need to make is 800 H as well?

 

[Hill]

800 deep would be more practical. Lighting would also be quite a lot cheaper as well.

 

[Mike]

Thanks for the reply

Very True - how much cleaning is needed on the glass and at the bottom of the tank?

Are marine tanks not less "cleaning?" then fresh water?

I think you could be right - Maybe I need to make is 800 H as well?

You will always get some algae on the glass - it's normal, but there are magnetic cleaners for that - the main problem with a very deep tank would be placement of rock/coral and any serious problems which could occur, you would have to don your tank again and as above you would need very powerful lamps (= very expensive to run) my tank was 920mm (2feet 6inches in my language) and that was tough enough.

Good luck though, just remember to question everything and research as much as you can.

 

[Alan]

Hey Vetso welcome to MASA, again i would agree with above and not go too high, width is what you will be looking for, check out this tank that is 1.8 long and 2.3 wide.
http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_aquascaping.htm

 

[Tridan]

Welcome to MASA

 

[Shaun]

::

 

[Mekaeel]

if i were you,i would love to go 1.5m wide(if space isnt an issue) and 600mm high.easier to reach inside

 

[vatso]

Thanks all

I agree - I have the space to do a 2.5M by 2.5M - I think I am going to rather do a 2ML X 1.5ML X 600H

I will have lots to ask

 

[Mekaeel]

i think you meant 1.5M width? and those specs sounds wicked!!!

 

[SIMS]

Yip 2500x1500x600 LWH will be awesome

 

[seank]

800 deep would be more practical. Lighting would also be quite a lot cheaper as well.

As well as the glass

 

[SIMS]

As well as the glass

this man speaks from experience......and an empty wallet

 

[Kanga]

Welcome Vatso, yes extra width is better. Ask all you need to ask we love to answer questions, and dont forget we really love photos too


An aoto top will solve your daily top up issue, I too travel for a week or more at a time and my wife (new)Looks after so I make sure the minimum needs to be done, lights on timers, auto top up, kalk stirrer etc

Here is a picture of a basic set up to get your head around a few things, then start asking from there about what changes you could make

 

[DragonReef]

Welcome Vatso, good to have you here.

What is your budget for this tank - ballpark ?

 

[sunburst]

Welcome Vatso. Agree with Dragon, a tank this size would need a flexible budget...very flexible.

 

[vatso]

Thanks Guys great to be on a forum where eveyone helps out!

I do not have a budget! I think my tank may end up costing R30K or so - I will do it over a few months & want to make some stuff myself, that will be in the sump, Skimmer & so on!

Do my sums sound right?

Again thanks guys

I want to draw the tank & have a list of equipment I will need & see if I can get them here from people selling stuff as well as understanding what size sump I will need & what I should put in it.

 

[calvin]

hi and welcome vasto!