60" X 30" X 30" Glass SPS Build

[SAO]

Old member new account. Cant remember old account as it has been a decade since I sold my 400g SPS tank and visited RC. Since then much has changed and I am ready to start another SPS dominate system. This tank will be glass unlike the Envisions Acrylics tank I had before. The 400g was a beautiful system but I never really enjoyed the acrylic so I am choosing to go low iron glass this time. I am only in the very first stages of this build and still have a few projects to finish before I can set the tank up but I am now looking to order the tank and equipment and get the stand all built. So this is where you guys can help me. I need any and all advice I can get that will hopefully save me a little headache in the future. Since I have not kept a reef tank in quite some time I am out of the loop on the latest and greatest equipment. I have a good idea of how I want this system to run but look forward to your opinions and advice.

With that being said lets start with the tank itself. I have an opening from one room to another that is 5' wide X 5'5" tall. I am wanting to have a 60x30x30 low iron glass rimless tank if possible and have been looking at glasscages since I can get the tank delivered to a city a couple hours from me for $120. I want this tank to be viewable from 3 sides with overflow on one short side. I have never had a rimless tank and like anyone have some concerns over strength and leakage/breakage. This concern became a little more heightened after I read glasscages warranty of only 90 days. So I am looking for advice from others that have rimless tanks or know about them. Is this something I should stay away with this size tank? Would I be better off with a braced glass tank? Who is making the best glass tanks these days?

Thanks guys!!

[SAO]

After speaking with Reef Savvy 30" tall rimless is out of the question. So what to do? I have two choices.....I can go with a 60" x 36" x 24" Rimless or 60" x 36" x 30" with 4" eurobracing and about a 6" center brace. Rimless or Eurobraced? This will give me 2 lighting options to think about also. With the 24" tall rimless I would go with 6 A160WE's and the 30" tall eurobraced I would use 4 A360WE's. Both tanks will be completely open above the tank with just the Kessils hanging from the ceiling. What would you choice?

I am still working on finishing the room the tank will sit in but shouldnt be to much longer. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

Until then here is a little video of the old 400g SPS tank.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfig3WodToA Bluegrass music and all!!

[Nrupaw]

Originally Posted by SAO

Old member new account. Cant remember old account as it has been a decade since I sold my 400g SPS tank and visited RC. Since then much has changed and I am ready to start another SPS dominate system. This tank will be glass unlike the Envisions Acrylics tank I had before. The 400g was a beautiful system but I never really enjoyed the acrylic so I am choosing to go low iron glass this time. I am only in the very first stages of this build and still have a few projects to finish before I can set the tank up but I am now looking to order the tank and equipment and get the stand all built. So this is where you guys can help me. I need any and all advice I can get that will hopefully save me a little headache in the future. Since I have not kept a reef tank in quite some time I am out of the loop on the latest and greatest equipment. I have a good idea of how I want this system to run but look forward to your opinions and advice.

With that being said lets start with the tank itself. I have an opening from one room to another that is 5' wide X 5'5" tall. I am wanting to have a 60x30x30 low iron glass rimless tank if possible and have been looking at glasscages since I can get the tank delivered to a city a couple hours from me for $120. I want this tank to be viewable from 3 sides with overflow on one short side. I have never had a rimless tank and like anyone have some concerns over strength and leakage/breakage. This concern became a little more heightened after I read glasscages warranty of only 90 days. So I am looking for advice from others that have rimless tanks or know about them. Is this something I should stay away with this size tank? Would I be better off with a braced glass tank? Who is making the best glass tanks these days?

Thanks guys!!

Lots changed in 10 years i am sure. With so many more choices in equipment now-a-days, everyone will have different recommendations.

Here's a few i have...
glasscages - I'd avoid. although their prices are affordable, i keep hearing many issues with their tank build. AGE, Crystal Dynamic Aquarium, Reef Savvy, Planet Aquariums, SC aquariums, are some of the better glass manufacturers. But they all charge arm and a leg, so be ready for sticker shock. Also lead times go into months these day.

Rimless - for anything larger than a 75 gallon tank, i wouldn't trust rimless. Too much water volume in a large tank for me to be able to trust silicone. Eurobracing would be a better option.

Lighting - Ton of LEDs out these days. Some folks have luck. I didn't. Wasted $2000+ on Aqua Illuminiation Hydra 52s, only to go back to an 8-bulb ATI T5 fixture. Added a Reef Brite Tech Led strip to it for some dusk dawn effect. If you can swing it, the ATI T5 LED Hybrids are showing great results for people. Reef brite's metal halide with LED hybrids are pretty decent too

Controller - Having a controller's awesome. Apex's Neptune is the most reliable. They have a new version out, mine's the old classic one and haven't seen any need to spend $'s on a new one. You could buy a classic apex controller for dirt cheap

Flow - Ecotech Vortech are very good. People seem to really like them. I however am a fan of Tunze because of their customer service and availiblity of spare parts. I use 6105's and wavemaker.

Skimmer - Vertex Alpha's and Royal Exclusiv Bubble King are gold standard if you can swing the $'s. Reef Ocotpus come in a close second

Sump - You can make your own, or you can buy a designer one - Elite Aquatics, Trigger Systems etc

Return Pump - Many to choose from, i still rely on Tunze

Reactors - Phosban reactor to run Bulk Reef Supply's GFO

Dosing - 2 BRS 1.1ml dosers to dose 2 part (alk, and cal). can be hooked to the Apex or on timers

Worth looking into - Marinepure Bricks in sump.


Newer Fads you can research on - Algae Turf Scubber, Carbon Dosing, ULNS, Red Sea dosing program, biopellets etc etc

[SAO]

Originally Posted by Nrupaw

Lots changed in 10 years i am sure. With so many more choices in equipment now-a-days, everyone will have different recommendations.

Here's a few i have...
glasscages - I'd avoid. although their prices are affordable, i keep hearing many issues with their tank build. AGE, Crystal Dynamic Aquarium, Reef Savvy, Planet Aquariums, SC aquariums, are some of the better glass manufacturers. But they all charge arm and a leg, so be ready for sticker shock. Also lead times go into months these day.

Rimless - for anything larger than a 75 gallon tank, i wouldn't trust rimless. Too much water volume in a large tank for me to be able to trust silicone. Eurobracing would be a better option.

Lighting - Ton of LEDs out these days. Some folks have luck. I didn't. Wasted $2000+ on Aqua Illuminiation Hydra 52s, only to go back to an 8-bulb ATI T5 fixture. Added a Reef Brite Tech Led strip to it for some dusk dawn effect. If you can swing it, the ATI T5 LED Hybrids are showing great results for people. Reef brite's metal halide with LED hybrids are pretty decent too

Controller - Having a controller's awesome. Apex's Neptune is the most reliable. They have a new version out, mine's the old classic one and haven't seen any need to spend $'s on a new one. You could buy a classic apex controller for dirt cheap

Flow - Ecotech Vortech are very good. People seem to really like them. I however am a fan of Tunze because of their customer service and availiblity of spare parts. I use 6105's and wavemaker.

Skimmer - Vertex Alpha's and Royal Exclusiv Bubble King are gold standard if you can swing the $'s. Reef Ocotpus come in a close second

Sump - You can make your own, or you can buy a designer one - Elite Aquatics, Trigger Systems etc

Return Pump - Many to choose from, i still rely on Tunze

Reactors - Phosban reactor to run Bulk Reef Supply's GFO

Dosing - 2 BRS 1.1ml dosers to dose 2 part (alk, and cal). can be hooked to the Apex or on timers

Worth looking into - Marinepure Bricks in sump.


Newer Fads you can research on - Algae Turf Scubber, Carbon Dosing, ULNS, Red Sea dosing program, biopellets etc etc

Thanks for the tank builders!! I will be calling some of them tomorrow. And I am like you, starting to lean away from the rimless tank although I do love the look. As far as equipment goes I still putting a list together but it will look something like this with some changes here and there I am sure. I want to make this system as energy efficient as possible.



4 - EcoTech Marine VorTech QuietDrive Propeller Pump MP40w QD

1 - Finnex TH Series Titanium Heating Tubes 800W Heater w/Guard

1 - Neptune Systems Next Generation Apex WiFi Aquarium Controller System

4 - Kessil Aquarium Tuna Blue LED Aquarium Lights A360WE

1 - EcoTech Marine Vectra L1 Centrifugal Pump 3,100 gph

1 - Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 200 Gen 3 VS12 Protein Skimmer


Thats enough to put a serious hurting on my savings and I havent even got a quote on the tank yet.

[Nrupaw]

Originally Posted by SAO

Thanks for the tank builders!! I will be calling some of them tomorrow. And I am like you, starting to lean away from the rimless tank although I do love the look. As far as equipment goes I still putting a list together but it will look something like this with some changes here and there I am sure. I want to make this system as energy efficient as possible.



4 - EcoTech Marine VorTech QuietDrive Propeller Pump MP40w QD

1 - Finnex TH Series Titanium Heating Tubes 800W Heater w/Guard

1 - Neptune Systems Next Generation Apex WiFi Aquarium Controller System

4 - Kessil Aquarium Tuna Blue LED Aquarium Lights A360WE

1 - EcoTech Marine Vectra L1 Centrifugal Pump 3,100 gph

1 - Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 200 Gen 3 VS12 Protein Skimmer


Thats enough to put a serious hurting on my savings and I havent even got a quote on the tank yet.

Yeah I wanted a glass tank too but needed some specific customizations. the moment you bring up the word 'custom' prices were shooting upto $4000+ just for the tank. Ended up going Acrylic again. But went barebottom, so not dealing with scratches from sand and such.

My LFS really recommends Crystal Dynamic Aquarium. SC Aquariums has some premade ones that are very affordable. 30 inches tall is very tall. I opted for a shorter 20 inch tank. that way i can put my sps on the bottom of the tank and there is enough par to grow.

EcoTech Marine VorTech QD are really good from what i hear. plus you can put all 4 in-sync. They have the Reef Crest mode (radom flow) in there which brings very good results from SPS

Finnex TH Series Titanium Heating Tubes instead of doing 1 large heater, i'd suggest going 2 smaller ones like a 500 watt plus 300 watt. That way if 1 gets stuck in ON mode, it won't cook your tank because its under sized. The same way, if won't doesn't turn ON, then the other one can step in. Also, many folks use the Apex temp probe to control the heater. thats good but just from personal experience, i wouldn't trust it a 100%. I have a $3 thermometer from Petco that i keep in my sump and keep checking periodically if the temp is right or not. those are alcohol based and usually never clunk out

Neptune Systems Next Generation Apex WiFi Aquarium Controller System -- One of the better controllers out there. But I would still recommend, picking up a cheaper used classic version, vs. going brand news. Esp. since its super expensive for china made equipment

Kessil Aquarium Tuna Blue LED Aquarium -- personally haven't used Kessil, but if you are looking at actual SPS i.e. acros, these won't grow them. These are good from LPS and some basis SPS like monti etc. But on an acro tank, regardless of what everyone says, i look at them as a supplement light while T5 or Halides do actual growth. Also the Kessill wouldn't put out enough par towards the bottom of the tank. if you are absolutely looking at LEDs, Ecotech Radions will get the job done. Learning curve to them since they are so powerful, they can easily bleach colars. Stay away from Aqua Illumination. I had them, very horrible customer service.

EcoTech Marine Vectra L1 -- Good pump with DC control. however they just came out recently and are generation 1. They are still buggy. Had a couple of friends who's pumps seized up and had to be sent in for repairs. I would wait till the next generation comes out. But they have high potential

Royal Exclusiv Bubble King -- really good


Overall, equipment's very expensive these days. Best recommendation i have is to drop the Kessill, and pick up an 8 bulb ATI Sunpower fixture from BRS during black friday sale. They are pretty affordable them.

[SAO]

Still working on the equipment list with a few changes so far. Will be adding a few other items but this is the main components. What would you change if anything?



Neptune Systems DOS Dosing Pump + DDR Dual Reservoir Combo
CT-NS-DOSDDR
5934
$449.95

Neptune Systems Apex Aquarium Controller - EB832, Temp Probe, Salinity Probe, Double Junction Lab pH & Lab
CT-NS-APEXSYSNG
5925
$799.95

4-EcoTech Radion XR30W PRO GEN 4 LED Aquarium Light Fixture
LT-ET-XR30WG4PRO
6020
$799.00ea

EcoTech Marine Vortech MP40w-QD QuietDrive Propeller Pump
WM-ETM-MP40wQD-US
5389
$349.00

Ecotech Marine VECTRA M1- 2,000 GPH DC Return Water Pump
WP-ET-M1
5572
$349.00

Vertex PuraTek DELUXE 100 GPD RO/DI Unit
RO-VT-100DX
1567
$329.95

Vertex Alpha 200 Protein Skimmer
PS-BK-A200
1596
$929.99

[Nrupaw]

Looks good.

I just opted for some items that cost lest.

E.g. i went with the 2x BRS 1.1 ml dosers vs the Neptune DOS because it was much cheaper

The Vectra i am still no totally convinced because like i mentioned ealier, its Gen1, and still buggy IMP

For the RODI system, i would recommend the Bulk Reef Spply kit. they have a 150 gallon per day one. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-6-...em-150gpd.html

cheaper than the vertex but more production and good quality product.

Vertex Alpha's are solid. you can't go wrong with that. if you can swing it, i would recommend the Vertex Alpha 250. I always try to pick up skimmers that 1.5 times the water volume i am working with. An oversized skimmer gives you some maneuverability down the road.

[Nrupaw]

p.s. Great video of the old tank

[Orr2003]

Ok so I have managed to regain access to my old account. I started this thread under a new account I made bc I couldnt remember my old password and email. I have asked the mods to delete my new account and I will just start a new build thread once that happens. TBC