time to build a new tank, suggestions welcome

[Sasquatch]

I have a slab of 1/2'' tempered 24.5 x 36, free from my glass supplier this will be the foot print/bottom, I will cut all the rest and build the tank. I would like an all in one so a cube display with garage on one end or 36 long with hallway at the back.
Housing 1 saebae, 1 rbta, 1 flower anem, 2 clowns, 1 royal gramma, plus crawley stuff.
Id like to go shallow 10 to 12'', not opposed to an externally mounted closed loop, no powerheads and minimal clutter.
Now the problem, minimal rock, like 1 or 2 pieces, what can I do for bio filtration in the sump???
Thanks!!

 

[mojoreef]

Woohoo Sas is getting his feet wet, lol Ok lots of things you can do, although 12 inches is a little shallow?? let me think for a bit.

Mojo

 

[Peppie]

Sas,
I thought you dropped of the face of the earth.
IMO you should make one of the chambers fit a small skimmer. ( Slim Skim) It has a footprint Less than 4" x 4". I have found in the past that you need at least 5'' to get your hand in a chamber to get to a pump. It sounds as though you have enough room in the filter section to mount a couple of Maxijets for your (closed loop) flow. You cold put
rock in the chambers, But it is a pain to pull the rock out to clean the chamber. I used a bunch of smaller rocks and put them in a nylon bag for easy removal.
Do you want to have a section to grow Macro? I found it challenging to light the fuge section, but keep the light out of the DT on the reverse cycle.
Will the filter section be made with glass or acrylic?

PS dont forget the ATO

 

[Peppie]

Just an other thought. If you want to keep the rocks to a min footprint in the tank you could build a couple of rock walls. They dont take up the floor space. They also dont need to run all the way from top to bottom or side to side. It could be a partial wall....

 

[Frankie]

Do the cube. The other way is to narrow Sas.
As for hight, i agree 12" may be a bit to shallow. Think 15-18? One of my biggest challenges with my current build is the 12" depth. 2" more is what i wish i had. But when i built the tank i had no idea i would one day go mad scientist on it.
With a minimal rock scape your going to want a sand bed for surface area for the nitrifying bacteria. Shallow 1-2" should be more then enough.
Look forward.to seeing what you come up with buddy

Sent from my GSG4 communicator using Forum Runner

 

[Sasquatch]

Sas,
I thought you dropped of the face of the earth.
IMO you should make one of the chambers fit a small skimmer. ( Slim Skim) It has a footprint Less than 4" x 4". I have found in the past that you need at least 5'' to get your hand in a chamber to get to a pump. It sounds as though you have enough room in the filter section to mount a couple of Maxijets for your (closed loop) flow. You cold put
rock in the chambers, But it is a pain to pull the rock out to clean the chamber. I used a bunch of smaller rocks and put them in a nylon bag for easy removal.
Do you want to have a section to grow Macro? I found it challenging to light the fuge section, but keep the light out of the DT on the reverse cycle.
Will the filter section be made with glass or acrylic?

PS dont forget the ATO

Hi Peppie! I been busy clearing out the garage and making room, my 250 is now the humongeous chiclid tank, that got rid of one batch, setting up another tank where they cam from , shuffle here and there lol.
Skimmer Im thinking will be a built in unit, with the success of the "bored so lets design a skimmer" mods it makes sense to me.
No fuge! its a crap maker for me, I can easily plumb an external pump behind the tank for a closed loop.
Awesome idea on the bagged rock!

 

[Sasquatch]

Just an other thought. If you want to keep the rocks to a min footprint in the tank you could build a couple of rock walls. They dont take up the floor space. They also dont need to run all the way from top to bottom or side to side. It could be a partial wall....

Minimal like zen/bonsai/wabi style

 

[Sasquatch]

Do the cube. The other way is to narrow Sas.
As for hight, i agree 12" may be a bit to shallow. Think 15-18? One of my biggest challenges with my current build is the 12" depth. 2" more is what i wish i had. But when i built the tank i had no idea i would one day go mad scientist on it.
With a minimal rock scape your going to want a sand bed for surface area for the nitrifying bacteria. Shallow 1-2" should be more then enough.
Look forward.to seeing what you come up with buddy

Sent from my GSG4 communicator using Forum Runner

interesting, most small tanks are quite narrow 16/18 '' if I took 6'' off the 24 Id still have 18'' and could run the gyre circulation ?
Frankie? you think a sand bed works for biofiltration? Ive really never thought about that, what would be better sugar sand or something bigger?
Biggest surprise is the nay's on 12''? 12'' tall @ 45g...14'' @ 52
I like the mad scientist theme lol

 

[Sasquatch]

Woohoo Sas is getting his feet wet, lol Ok lots of things you can do, although 12 inches is a little shallow?? let me think for a bit.

Mojo

LOL! trying to dry my feet, got WAY too much water happening, no rush Mr Mo your ideas are always interesting

 

[Sasquatch]

Woohoo Sas is getting his feet wet, lol Ok lots of things you can do, although 12 inches is a little shallow?? let me think for a bit.<br>
<br>
Mojo

<br><br>LOL! trying to dry my feet, got WAY too much water happening, no rush Mr Mo your ideas are always interesting

 

[Sasquatch]

opps, found another pile of 1/2'' glass 34x30 base and 26'' tall sides, table saw has a new blade and Im ready to rip... 13'' deep enough?

 

[mojoreef]

You know what would be really cool is a rimless tank but make it a zero edge?????

 

[Peppie]

opps, found another pile of 1/2'' glass 34x30 base and 26'' tall sides, table saw has a new blade and Im ready to rip... 13'' deep enough?

And how many teeth are on that new blade that is going to rip your glass to 13'' ???

I gotta get me one.. LOL

 

[Sasquatch]

You know what would be really cool is a rimless tank but make it a zero edge?????

zero edge is and rimless are the two tanks I really have no love for,. sorry lol

 

[Sasquatch]

And how many teeth are on that new blade that is going to rip your glass to 13'' ???

I gotta get me one.. LOL

a gabillion baby diamond toothseses?

 

[Darthv247]

not a huge rimless fan either. some look decent but only the really shallow and wide ones.

 

[mojoreef]

But you could bob for shrimp????


ok back to the drawing board


Mojo

 

[Sasquatch]

never saw the point of rimless as there is no where to hide the scum line, err water line lol

not a huge rimless fan either. some look decent but only the really shallow and wide ones.

Ive given up boxing so salt water facials no longer needed.

But you could bob for shrimp????


ok back to the drawing board


Mojo

 

[Peppie]

Skimmer Im thinking will be a built in unit, with the success of the "bored so lets design a skimmer" mods it makes sense to me.

So I have been thinking of doing another AIO on a 29gal tank. Can you share a little insight on how you plan to build the " In Place Skimmer" ?
I am bouncing back and forth on the air stone method or building a Slim Skim knock off. Only having 18'' of height I am not sure there will be enough dwell time.

What is your idea? Hope it is not top secret.

 

[Sasquatch]

only my hair dresser knows for sure lol. inbuilt skimmer... no expense on acrylic tubing, airstone or needlewheel, direct overflow feed and outflow into a baffle box for the baby bubbles.dwell time is increased by lack of forced flow
Right now Im hung up on shape, rectangular,cube just so bleck! was looking for pics today on the old tipped front tanks but couldn't find any, maybe inspiration will come in dreamland tonight, speaking of which!!!!!!!!!! gnite Jonboy