New 75 gallon Aqueon build

[SFish]

If u can fit a 40 breeder then I would do that but unless you want to put a bigger skimmer in I don't see the point. Why would you want to spend a few hundred dollars on a glorified tank. Petco $1/gal sale is what I would do if you do upgrade. 10 more gallons isn't going to do that much for you anyway.
A 20 long is 30 1/4 x 12 1/2 x 12 3/4 vs a 30 which is 36 1/4 x 12 5/8 x 16 3/4 so you only gain a little length and some height. Where as a 40 breeder is 36 3/16 x 18 1/4 x 16 15/16.

[Vadafallon]

I would love a 40 breeder but it won't fit in the stand. I only have about 16 1/4 width to work with. So that is why I am looking at other options.

[Vadafallon]

Although pricey the precision marine r30 or r30 pro look nice.

[Ou8me2]

Yeah, that is the downside of a 75-gallon stand and unless you custom make it a 40 breeder will not fit. I personally just don't like the shallowness of a 20 long tank.

If you have Facebook. I would look for some groups on there for used equipment. You can get some real killer deals. I found an acrylic sump that was for a much larger tank, it would probably do an 180 at least. I paid a whole 40.00 for it.

Also, I considered some Eshopps sumps at one point. I'm not sure what you are looking for in a sump but I was considering these.

http://www.aquacave.com/eshopps-adv-...eneration.html

http://www.aquacave.com/eshopps-rs-2...5-gallons.html

http://www.aquacave.com/eshopps-refu...eneration.html

I'm in a much different situation as I don't have my 75 setup yet and I still have some things to buy and I wasn't in a rush. I had even thought of buying old tanks and breaking them down and using the glass to make my own sump and baffles.

The Petco $1.00 per gallon ended August 6th so it will be a few months before they have another one again.

[SFish]

Yeah I made my stand. I could put a 40 breeder in but I have a 20 long and a 10 tall that I made. I also have no center brace so I can get under the stand to things easily. For the skimmer I went with an external. My stand is a little bit bigger then my 75 but not by much. With the sump already made I don't see the point in buying a 30. A 20 long is more then deep enough for what you need. I know things are tight for me in the stand because I have so much under there I would imagine even more so for you. Why do you want to spend $400 to gain 4" of height and 2" of width? Your not really gaining much space wise or volume. I think that is a complete waste of money that could be spent on fish or coral but to each his own. I spent $55 to make my sump there is no way I could justify $400 on a glorified tank.

[Vadafallon]

All valid points SFish. Maybe i am just talking myself out of it because of how shiny and nice looking the other sumps are. Have you ever made an acrylic sump? I just want to maximize the room i have.

[Vadafallon]

I also worry about the acrylic baffles on glass. I have heard stories of stuff breaking and baffles not holding. I really want something that i won't have to worry with later. Another reason i am rethinking the 20 gallon.

[SFish]

Originally Posted by Vadafallon

Have you ever made an acrylic sump? I just want to maximize the room i have.

Yes. It's easier then you think. I made my second sump and my ato tank out of acrylic.

[SFish]

Originally Posted by Vadafallon

I also worry about the acrylic baffles on glass. I have heard stories of stuff breaking and baffles not holding. I really want something that i won't have to worry with later. Another reason i am rethinking the 20 gallon.

Cheapest option would be to get glass baffles cut. U could sell the ones you have or try to return them.

[Vadafallon]

I will have to call around cheapest i have found is 80 bucks

[Vadafallon]

Another thing that is on my mind is having enough room for drainage. I dont want no overflows. =)

[Ou8me2]

Sadly it looks like glass is rising a lot in price. I had priced a place online 2-3 weeks ago and it was 42.00 plus shipping. Went back today and now it says for those same 4 pieces it's 230.00 The current price of glass in my area, it would almost be cheaper to make an acrylic sump.

My local glass shop wanted $9.50 per square foot for plate glass

Like I said you could always buy a used tank and break it down and cut baffles out of it. I guess to me a used sump is a great value. I don't buy stuff from the sale forum here as it's over priced most always. I seek out stuff on craigslist or Facebook groups. Even most time if nothing is posted. I can make a post of what I'm looking for and people will respond with items they may not even post on the group.

It's no secret glass bonds to glass better than glass to acrylic.

[SFish]

Originally Posted by Vadafallon

I will have to call around cheapest i have found is 80 bucks

Even at $80 that's better then $400 and acrylic will cost you more then $80. If you are going to make a sump out of acrylic then I would post your questions here.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hlight=acrylic

This will give you the general idea of how to put a tank or sump together.

http://youtu.be/FYhfV7SvoRs

Old pic



I got rid of the skimmer and went with a bigger external skimmer. I think I spent $150 to make both tanks. $75 each is not that great but could be worse. Could have saves some money if I would have cut the acrylic my self but I didn't have the tools to do it. Also it depends on how thick the acrylic is that you buy. I went over kill with 1/2". My guess is the cheapest would probably be in the $200 range to make a sump but I'm just guessing. Saw cut is cheaper then cnc so I would look for that. If you can go thiner then 1/2" that would save you money as well. Post in the link and see what they think for thickness. If you have a router then you can cut the acrylic your self which will also save you money. There are cheaper options that I could have went with but I wanted to learn how to make a tank out of acrylic.