New Tank on the way - have a couple quesions

[VegasMike]

I just ordered a 375 gallon acrylic tank from Envision Acrylics. It is going to be a Corner Pentagon with back sides and main viewing panel 60" wide with front "wings" 18" wide. It will be 32" tall. The overflow will be in the back corner with a 2" main drain, 1.5" backup drain and 1.5" return split into two 1" flex returns from www.oceansmotions.com.

It will initially be a fish only tank. I plan on using five reef ceramic panels on the back walls and overflow, filling in the gaps between the back walls and the overflow with Liverock rubble and two Tunzes. I also plan on a mini reef in the center using a few peices of show Figi rock.

I will be using a Sequence Stingray (now called the Barracuda) as the return pump since I have one sittin around. I also have two ARO 440 watt ballasts that I plan on using for lighting. Each one has a four bulb harness. I plan on using one at first and adding the second if necessary.

I have not decided on substrate yet, but was leaning towards some type of faux sand bottom. Does anyone have ideas on this? I want the look of sand, especially for a fish only, but I don't want sand in an acrylic tank.

I will be using a 42"x21"x20" sump and a Deltec 1060S turbo skimmer.


Any comments or suggestions???

 

[Krish]

Not sure man about the faux sand...But it sounds like a pretty nice setup you will have! I look forward to some pictures

 

[VegasMike]

The stand, canopy and tank are all under construction.

The tank is beign made by James at Envision Acrylics and should be done late May, early June.

The stand and Canopy are being made by Chris Crow at CrowsRidge (a sponsor here) and should turn out awesome. I am really looking forward to seeing how the stand and canopy turn out. It's nice to have a someone build this that is not only a wood worker, but also a reef hobbiest. He has some great ideas.

The sump will be built by reefmania in May. I am planning on a very basic sump, 42"x21" with several baffles and a large open area for a Tunze 1060S Skimmer.

I will be ordering the reef ceramics as soon as James gets back to me on some specific measurements.

I am still trying to figure out how I want to do the Faux sand bed.

I already have the pump and the lighting.

Mike

 

[NaH2O]

Mike - can't wait to see your tank. I hear great things about James' work. Here is a similar thread on Fake Sandbeds. You might get some ideas from it. I tried the links in the thread, and I'm not sure if they take you to where they used to go because I didn't see anything on substrate. Here's another post on trying to get a faux sandbed: Single Post - BB or CC

Hope this helps a bit....maybe get the creative juices flowing on the faux sandbed...