is this plauseable

sonic1634 · 07/05/2007, 03:37 PM

One day I was looking at my 40 gallon and I realized that I couldn't see everything that was going on in the back. I felt like I was missing out on a lot of action. So, the search began... we finally found a 30 gallon hexagon tank, that we purchased for $70 out of Houston. I was looking for something small so the living room wouldn't be overpowered by fish tanks, and will also provide me with a full 360* view of the tank, so this was perfect!

Before I made my design, I had to fulfull a few critera. 1
1) Needs to be an easy fix for when we move
2) Didn't take up too much space
3) AND I still had my 360* view.

So, this is what I have come up with...

First Off, the drain system... Will consist of 1/2 inch pvc on 2 oppostie ends of tank approx 2 inch from the top. It will then go thru the bar connecting to the bottom of a 4 chambered sump, which will be 3/4 inch of plywood lined and sealed with eproxy, so the water will have to flow upwards thru a filter so it will overflow into the second chamber which will be the protein skimmer. I will place a fine bed of airstones at the bottom of the sump so the bubbles will have maximum contact with the water. The protein skimmer will be a part of the sump since I am working with very little room. Collections cup will be made of 1/4 inch plywood so I can shape cup as needed, it will also be lined and sealed with eproxy. The third chamber will be a refridgium with micro growth, which will overflow into the fourth chamber that will be a 150 g/h return pump. The return pump will connect to 1/4 inch pvc which will be placed just beneath the lip of the tank. There will be 4 heads all of which will be facing to the right. So, in theory I have a pump pushing water thru small holes for maximum circulation. Also on the drain system there will be a low hole approx 1 1/2 inch above the sandbed this will allow me to place a T connection and have a separate line for water changes. This will elimiate having to drain the tank with a hose. i will also incorporate an open/close valve before the sump, just in case any repairs are needed on the sump or any of the other equipment.
The lighting will consits of a 10 k metal halide that will be hanging from the ceiling. The light will be on a timer, and there will also a bypass switch, so the light can be turned on and off manually as well.

Well, thats my design. I will greatly appreciate any advice, and even constructive critisim. Please let me know if I have overlooked or left anything out. If you have any eaiser or more practical ways of doing this that will be great too. I'm eager to hear all of the comments about the protein skimmer as well... will it work?

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MTB · 07/05/2007, 04:19 PM

First the lighting would be perfect if it is 250 watt or higher. Correct me if I'm wrong but those hex tanks are taller than there standard counter parts.

Next the sump. I would build it out of acrylic. You should be able to find a plastics warehouse that can pre-cut all sizes. It would last a life time. I wouldn't trust wood. It will get wet and rot. That is unavoidable.

Third the skimmer. Why not build it out of PVC. Can be done for next to nothing. You could even do acrylic here as well and permanently mount it to the sump.

Other than that it looks like a great plan and will be a great display. Just some thoughts to help give you trouble free operation.

Good luck either route you take!

sonic1634 · 07/05/2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MTB
First the lighting would be perfect if it is 250 watt or higher. Correct me if I'm wrong but those hex tanks are taller than there standard counter parts.

Next the sump. I would build it out of acrylic. You should be able to find a plastics warehouse that can pre-cut all sizes. It would last a life time. I wouldn't trust wood. It will get wet and rot. That is unavoidable.

Third the skimmer. Why not build it out of PVC. Can be done for next to nothing. You could even do acrylic here as well and permanently mount it to the sump.

Other than that it looks like a great plan and will be a great display. Just some thoughts to help give you trouble free operation. Good luck either route you take!

1 not sure what you mean about taller than the standard counter part i read that a 10 light can be seen up to 33' below sea level so i dont think i would have a problem with that height of the tank
2 i agree with you on the sump i will probably end up just using acrylic or some kind of plastic you dont think that the eproxy will keep the wood from rotting
3 well i wanted to eleminate the pump on the skimmer that would be need to take the water out of the sump into the pcv piping i dont have very many outlet in this area

sonic1634 · 07/05/2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MTB

Other than that it looks like a great plan and will be a great display. Just some thoughts to help give you trouble free operation. Good luck either route you take!

Thanks

MTB · 07/05/2007, 05:24 PM

Gotcha on the skimmer and lights. Looks like you have a nice lighting system on your 40. Can't wait to see some pics! I love the idea of an island tank!

07/05/2007, 03:37 PM	#1
sonic1634 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: texas Posts: 121	is this plauseable One day I was looking at my 40 gallon and I realized that I couldn't see everything that was going on in the back. I felt like I was missing out on a lot of action. So, the search began... we finally found a 30 gallon hexagon tank, that we purchased for $70 out of Houston. I was looking for something small so the living room wouldn't be overpowered by fish tanks, and will also provide me with a full 360* view of the tank, so this was perfect! Before I made my design, I had to fulfull a few critera. 1 1) Needs to be an easy fix for when we move 2) Didn't take up too much space 3) AND I still had my 360* view. So, this is what I have come up with... First Off, the drain system... Will consist of 1/2 inch pvc on 2 oppostie ends of tank approx 2 inch from the top. It will then go thru the bar connecting to the bottom of a 4 chambered sump, which will be 3/4 inch of plywood lined and sealed with eproxy, so the water will have to flow upwards thru a filter so it will overflow into the second chamber which will be the protein skimmer. I will place a fine bed of airstones at the bottom of the sump so the bubbles will have maximum contact with the water. The protein skimmer will be a part of the sump since I am working with very little room. Collections cup will be made of 1/4 inch plywood so I can shape cup as needed, it will also be lined and sealed with eproxy. The third chamber will be a refridgium with micro growth, which will overflow into the fourth chamber that will be a 150 g/h return pump. The return pump will connect to 1/4 inch pvc which will be placed just beneath the lip of the tank. There will be 4 heads all of which will be facing to the right. So, in theory I have a pump pushing water thru small holes for maximum circulation. Also on the drain system there will be a low hole approx 1 1/2 inch above the sandbed this will allow me to place a T connection and have a separate line for water changes. This will elimiate having to drain the tank with a hose. i will also incorporate an open/close valve before the sump, just in case any repairs are needed on the sump or any of the other equipment. The lighting will consits of a 10 k metal halide that will be hanging from the ceiling. The light will be on a timer, and there will also a bypass switch, so the light can be turned on and off manually as well. Well, thats my design. I will greatly appreciate any advice, and even constructive critisim. Please let me know if I have overlooked or left anything out. If you have any eaiser or more practical ways of doing this that will be great too. I'm eager to hear all of the comments about the protein skimmer as well... will it work?

07/05/2007, 04:19 PM	#2
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	First the lighting would be perfect if it is 250 watt or higher. Correct me if I'm wrong but those hex tanks are taller than there standard counter parts. Next the sump. I would build it out of acrylic. You should be able to find a plastics warehouse that can pre-cut all sizes. It would last a life time. I wouldn't trust wood. It will get wet and rot. That is unavoidable. Third the skimmer. Why not build it out of PVC. Can be done for next to nothing. You could even do acrylic here as well and permanently mount it to the sump. Other than that it looks like a great plan and will be a great display. Just some thoughts to help give you trouble free operation. Good luck either route you take! __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

07/05/2007, 05:24 PM	#5
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	Gotcha on the skimmer and lights. Looks like you have a nice lighting system on your 40. Can't wait to see some pics! I love the idea of an island tank! __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.