Need some help with new custom tank"pics"

joedirt54 · 03/27/2006, 07:21 PM

Here's what I've done so far:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...8/DSCF3228.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...8/DSCF3232.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...8/DSCF3236.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...8/DSCF3238.jpg

The front and sides are starfire 1/4" it's 18WX21LX16H, about 26gal. The first pic shows reg 1/4" plate glass on top of the 1/4" starfire. I will be installing a black plexi overflow the entire back 3". I will have 3- 1" bulkheads, two to drain and one for return. I have a squid that will be intalled behind the overflow and 2- 1/2" bulkheads to install in the overflow.

This will all be plumbed into a 10gal sump and 5.5 gal fuge. I tossed around the idea of a custom Acrylic sump but since the glass drilling went so well I thought I'd save some time and money and just buy those 2 AGA tanks for $10 each. I went with two tanks because of the small-cube footprint of my display.

My big question right now is:

How much heat would I save if I plumbed my Mag 9.5 inline. Would it be worth it. I'm going to drill the 5.5 and raise it above the sump enough so it can just overflow into it(50GPH). I really like the idea of drilling the sump too...it'll allow a much bigger return area where I can install bubble traps/extra LR.

Thanks,
Dirt

joedirt54 · 03/27/2006, 09:40 PM

up

Julio · 03/27/2006, 09:50 PM

Well, heat is a big determining factor that is hard to figure out because alot of it has to do with Room temp believe it or not. How cool is the room kept at where your tank is?
Are you putting any bracing on the tank?

joedirt54 · 03/27/2006, 10:52 PM

I'd say room temp tops out at 85...I run a window AC but not when I'm away.

I shouldn't need bracing...If I see any deflection when I do my fresh water test I'll add a 1" strip across and right in front of the overflow and small triangles on the front corners.

I might get triangles cut when I order my sump baffels.

I guess I just need a guess on how much a 9.5 would heat up my system...I'm thinking 37 gallons of volume, with the sump and fuge.

I know I'm going to have heat issues...I just have no room for a chiller. What ever I do, it will have to be done with sump fans or a couple iceprobes.

Blown 346 · 03/27/2006, 11:41 PM

The mags arent external pumps to begin with and arent reccomended for it since they build heat and can be loud. I had a Mag9.5 in my sump and the thing was loud and built up quiet a bit of heat.

joedirt54 · 03/28/2006, 12:08 AM

I've read a few things about mags leaking when run externally, but this pump ran for a year in-line on my 75gal without a drop. I really didn't think it was that loud either.

I'm not saying that they're the best pumps... but this pump has done a good job in the past...

dattack · 03/28/2006, 12:28 AM

How much was the starrphire glass anyways?

joedirt54 · 03/28/2006, 12:38 AM

I paid $52 for 2 -18x21 and one 18x16...With all the edges done.

$81 for all the glass...BTW, to go any bigger I would have had to go with 3/8". 18x18x3/8" starfire was like$38.

I'll probably go with a 24x24x24 down the road...I have to build the stand that big anyway to fit sump/fuge in.

03/27/2006, 07:21 PM	#1
joedirt54 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western PA Posts: 248	Need some help with new custom tank"pics" Here's what I've done so far: http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...8/DSCF3228.jpg http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...8/DSCF3232.jpg http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...8/DSCF3236.jpg http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...8/DSCF3238.jpg The front and sides are starfire 1/4" it's 18WX21LX16H, about 26gal. The first pic shows reg 1/4" plate glass on top of the 1/4" starfire. I will be installing a black plexi overflow the entire back 3". I will have 3- 1" bulkheads, two to drain and one for return. I have a squid that will be intalled behind the overflow and 2- 1/2" bulkheads to install in the overflow. This will all be plumbed into a 10gal sump and 5.5 gal fuge. I tossed around the idea of a custom Acrylic sump but since the glass drilling went so well I thought I'd save some time and money and just buy those 2 AGA tanks for $10 each. I went with two tanks because of the small-cube footprint of my display. My big question right now is: How much heat would I save if I plumbed my Mag 9.5 inline. Would it be worth it. I'm going to drill the 5.5 and raise it above the sump enough so it can just overflow into it(50GPH). I really like the idea of drilling the sump too...it'll allow a much bigger return area where I can install bubble traps/extra LR. Thanks, Dirt

03/27/2006, 09:50 PM	#3
Julio Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New york Posts: 7,978	Well, heat is a big determining factor that is hard to figure out because alot of it has to do with Room temp believe it or not. How cool is the room kept at where your tank is? Are you putting any bracing on the tank? __________________ Thanks, Have a nice day. Julio Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef w/ 250 watt SE XM10Ks and AP1003, 12 gallon reef, 40 gallon reef

03/27/2006, 10:52 PM	#4
joedirt54 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western PA Posts: 248	I'd say room temp tops out at 85...I run a window AC but not when I'm away. I shouldn't need bracing...If I see any deflection when I do my fresh water test I'll add a 1" strip across and right in front of the overflow and small triangles on the front corners. I might get triangles cut when I order my sump baffels. I guess I just need a guess on how much a 9.5 would heat up my system...I'm thinking 37 gallons of volume, with the sump and fuge. I know I'm going to have heat issues...I just have no room for a chiller. What ever I do, it will have to be done with sump fans or a couple iceprobes. Last edited by joedirt54; 03/27/2006 at 11:06 PM.

03/27/2006, 09:40 PM	#2
joedirt54 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western PA Posts: 248	up

03/27/2006, 11:41 PM	#5
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	The mags arent external pumps to begin with and arent reccomended for it since they build heat and can be loud. I had a Mag9.5 in my sump and the thing was loud and built up quiet a bit of heat.

03/28/2006, 12:08 AM	#6
joedirt54 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western PA Posts: 248	I've read a few things about mags leaking when run externally, but this pump ran for a year in-line on my 75gal without a drop. I really didn't think it was that loud either. I'm not saying that they're the best pumps... but this pump has done a good job in the past...

03/28/2006, 12:28 AM	#7
dattack Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 4,992	How much was the starrphire glass anyways?

03/28/2006, 12:38 AM	#8
joedirt54 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Western PA Posts: 248	I paid $52 for 2 -18x21 and one 18x16...With all the edges done. $81 for all the glass...BTW, to go any bigger I would have had to go with 3/8". 18x18x3/8" starfire was like$38. I'll probably go with a 24x24x24 down the road...I have to build the stand that big anyway to fit sump/fuge in.