new plan

pikachusalad · 05/04/2006, 08:40 AM

After having my acryllic 55 gallon sitting around for MONTHS, cleaning it, removing scratches, disolving coralline, replacing plumbing, buying equipment, and reading until my eyes hurt...I finally sold the 55 for a loss...

My new plan is to buy a NEW drilled glass 75, and build a stand and canopy.

I wish I'd have asked before buying the 55, so I'm asking now:

Is my new plan a bad idea?

Randall_James · 05/04/2006, 08:55 AM

If it is a good idea to you, then yes it is a great idea

I much prefer the 75 over the 55 myself as well.

IF I had bought mine new, I would have gone with a 48X24X24 (120G) however. No complaints over the 75 all the same, it is a GREAT tank size and I really like mine.

mikeadams1985 · 05/04/2006, 08:59 AM

the bigger the tank the better i say.

go for it, hope it al works out and keep us posted with pics

kau_cinta_ku · 05/04/2006, 09:00 AM

i agree it will mainly come down to what you want. but a 75(which i am upgrading to) is a good choice IMO over a 55 due to the fact 55 gal. are so skinny. a 75 will alow for alot better aquascaping. also the more water will also help keep it more stable.

pikachusalad · 05/04/2006, 09:16 AM

I have looked at stand and canopy sets in stores...at the design and construction. I've also looked at some plans on the internet. It really doesn't look that difficult to spend a hundred bucks or so on wood and build it myself?

I know it's probably a question for the DIY forum...but am I kidding myself here? Is there any part of "the big picture" I'm missing?

pikachusalad · 05/04/2006, 09:26 AM

Also, my mag-drive 7 was visible when I was selling the 55, and of course it became part of the deal...

What return pump would you guys recommend for a 75 gallon, with a single overflow (one of those mega flow 600 gph ones). The tank will be on a 30 inch stand, plus 20 inches of height for the aquarium...by my calculations (using the table on the marine depot page), a mag drive 7 will do 480 GPH at 4 feet, and the next one up will do 800 which will be too much. Is the mag drive 7 the right choice? Is there another brand you'd recommend?

pikachusalad · 05/04/2006, 09:26 AM

AND...are those megaflow overflows any good - will they require modifications?

Randall_James · 05/04/2006, 09:34 AM

Mag 7 is adequate and a Mag9 may require some bypass to slow it down a bit. I have a Mag9 and it is a bit to strong for the 75. The overflow is fine "As Is"

lfjewett · 05/04/2006, 09:51 AM

I suggest an Eheim 1260. Basically because I have one and it's MUCH quieter than my Mag 9.5.

pikachusalad · 05/04/2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lfjewett
I suggest an Eheim 1260. Basically because I have one and it's MUCH quieter than my Mag 9.5.

That's more than twice as much as the Mag 7... Is "quieter" all I get? ...I mean, that IS important...maybe I just didn't notice the noise my Mag 7 made over the slurping sound the overflow made.

lfjewett · 05/04/2006, 01:19 PM

My tank is a 50G with an Ehiem 1260 and a Velocity T4. Lighting is T5, skimmer is air driven. All fans are silent computer fans run at 9 volts. I have a computer about 6 feet away from the tank, when the computer is on I hear the CPU fan over the tank. For me quiet was very important. They also have a very high reputation on this board.. they are however like you said $$$$..

05/04/2006, 08:40 AM	#1
pikachusalad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 402	new plan After having my acryllic 55 gallon sitting around for MONTHS, cleaning it, removing scratches, disolving coralline, replacing plumbing, buying equipment, and reading until my eyes hurt...I finally sold the 55 for a loss... My new plan is to buy a NEW drilled glass 75, and build a stand and canopy. I wish I'd have asked before buying the 55, so I'm asking now: Is my new plan a bad idea? __________________ -- Mike Current Tank Info: 60G reef

05/04/2006, 08:55 AM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	If it is a good idea to you, then yes it is a great idea I much prefer the 75 over the 55 myself as well. IF I had bought mine new, I would have gone with a 48X24X24 (120G) however. No complaints over the 75 all the same, it is a GREAT tank size and I really like mine. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

05/04/2006, 09:16 AM	#5
pikachusalad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 402	I have looked at stand and canopy sets in stores...at the design and construction. I've also looked at some plans on the internet. It really doesn't look that difficult to spend a hundred bucks or so on wood and build it myself? I know it's probably a question for the DIY forum...but am I kidding myself here? Is there any part of "the big picture" I'm missing? __________________ -- Mike Current Tank Info: 60G reef

05/04/2006, 09:26 AM	#6
pikachusalad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 402	Also, my mag-drive 7 was visible when I was selling the 55, and of course it became part of the deal... What return pump would you guys recommend for a 75 gallon, with a single overflow (one of those mega flow 600 gph ones). The tank will be on a 30 inch stand, plus 20 inches of height for the aquarium...by my calculations (using the table on the marine depot page), a mag drive 7 will do 480 GPH at 4 feet, and the next one up will do 800 which will be too much. Is the mag drive 7 the right choice? Is there another brand you'd recommend? __________________ -- Mike Current Tank Info: 60G reef

05/04/2006, 09:26 AM	#7
pikachusalad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 402	AND...are those megaflow overflows any good - will they require modifications? __________________ -- Mike Current Tank Info: 60G reef

05/04/2006, 08:59 AM	#3
mikeadams1985 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: liverpool, UK Posts: 123	the bigger the tank the better i say. go for it, hope it al works out and keep us posted with pics

05/04/2006, 09:00 AM	#4
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	i agree it will mainly come down to what you want. but a 75(which i am upgrading to) is a good choice IMO over a 55 due to the fact 55 gal. are so skinny. a 75 will alow for alot better aquascaping. also the more water will also help keep it more stable.

05/04/2006, 09:34 AM	#8
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Mag 7 is adequate and a Mag9 may require some bypass to slow it down a bit. I have a Mag9 and it is a bit to strong for the 75. The overflow is fine "As Is" __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

05/04/2006, 09:51 AM	#9
lfjewett Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 275	I suggest an Eheim 1260. Basically because I have one and it's MUCH quieter than my Mag 9.5.

05/04/2006, 01:19 PM	#11
lfjewett Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 275	My tank is a 50G with an Ehiem 1260 and a Velocity T4. Lighting is T5, skimmer is air driven. All fans are silent computer fans run at 9 volts. I have a computer about 6 feet away from the tank, when the computer is on I hear the CPU fan over the tank. For me quiet was very important. They also have a very high reputation on this board.. they are however like you said $$$$..