105G Custom Shallow Paradise
 

I know what a few are probably thinking... "What? ANOTHER tank?" ... I know I know... For anyone who knows me really well, knows that this is just how I am with any of my hobbies... When I played paintball I went through 4-5 different guns, 3-4 different face masks, SO much clothing gear I could put a womans wardrobe to shame! :redface: As a photographer I've gone thru 2-3 different camera bodies, a ridiculous number of lenses. etc... It's just the way I am. :lol:

Aside from my compulsive buying nature, I also decided against continuing with my 187G build as I would like to wait until I'm not renting anymore, at which time I will go larger than 187, that reason coupled with my love of Tangs has persuaded me to upgrade my 30G Shallow cube, which I absolutely love because of its shallow design. I will continue the shallow look into my upgrade (1. Addicted to shallow tanks... 2.Save on tank cost).

Some pics of my inspiration and what I'm trying to go for look-wise.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/NA007011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/NA007015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/NA007016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...llow/photo.jpg

Planning to have a fairly open sand bed and lower rock piles, ridges to create ample swimming space, as well as minimal scape to provide a sense of depth. This will be the first tank where I won't have any sort of back drop on the tank.

I have decided on getting a custom tank built by Red Coral to the dimensions of 72x24x14 trimless tank(with a 12.5" waterline). This makes upgrading the stand fairly simple as it becomes a basic addition to the current tank stand in heightxdepth. Current tank can stay running while I do the add-on.

I've already been working on the stand add-on. Will get some pics posted when I can take some.

This is just from when I was spacing out the tank to make sure it would fit... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0297.jpg

wow those pictures are inspiring..

great idea can't wait to see it come to fruition!

PS: dibs on the 30g when you are done with it! :-D

Actually I got dibs... it's becoming the sump tank.:wink: Should work well with the short stand height of 29", should be able to work in the sump. Leaves my skimmer choices rather slim though. :lol:

I'll just have to silicone a glass panel over the current overflow holes.

My tank is 72"x24"x17". In hindsight I would have gone even wider to say, 72"x36"x17" - that extra room gives far more aquascaping options and you'll get much better flow if you leave a clear lane at the back of the tank (i.e. not have any LR propped up against the rear pane).

Your gonna love the six foot length....gonna be saweet.

That and a 12.5 inch water line will make for one sweet top down tank!

Thanks guys.. Put the order in for the tank yesterday... Just playing the waiting game now.

Wow that is going to be shallow. While I'm excited for you and agree with your reasoning, I am also interested to see how you will continue to like it particularly with the challenges such a shallow tank runs. I have what I call my "carpet tank" (2 gigantea's) which is 24x24x12 (the GLASS is 12", so the waterline is more like 11"-11.5", and it is trimless ... so it is a particular challenge for me to keep the water flow I would like in it, plus I worry about how easy it is for the fish to jump out. And then last but not least it's just a tremendously difficult tank to get good photos of.) So I'm not sure what I think of shallow tanks anymore. Don't get me wrong: I'm not trying to rain on your parade, as I think this will be a great tank for you anyhow, but I'm just interested to see how you end up dealing with it. If nothing else maybe I'll learn a thing or two about how to get more-gooder/more-better photos out of the shallowness by seeing what you end up doing. :p

Anyhow good luck and can't wait to see more. :)

Thanks Tony.

The 30G cube I currently have running is a 24x24x12 as well, and like you the water line is really 11-11.5" depending where you measure from. And yes, I have to be very careful cleaning the glass as the water likes to splash up over the sides, however the actual flow (Vortech mp20) never gets it so wild that in crests the rim of the tank.

With this tank I made a small adjustment with the dims and went 14.5" tall (glass dimension) and 12.5" water level giving me a full 2" of glass, which I am hoping will resolve the previous issue.

As for photos.... I should be ok. :wink:

Time will tell I suppose. :razz:

The first step in getting help is admitting you have a problem! lol

Looks like it's going to be a cool tank...

Now that Leonardo over at RC has seemingly abandoned his shallow tank dreams you've got a chance to carry the torch man. I wish you luck! Those photos you posted are the BOMB.

What?! He did?? I sent him a PM last week asking for more pics.. his thread seemed quite alive last I checked..

Nov 8:

"My future tank won't be a very shallow one. Maybe I go back to the shape I started with"

- Leonardo

Maybe we'll get a bigger (and badder) Formosa Forest?

Well that's a bummer.. I love his current Lagoon tank though!

Not much of an update but.....

.... I finally got my light rack modified (as it was designed for a different tank build) and bolted to the stand. I realize it looks a bit overkill, but it was originally designed to support 3-36" T5 Fixtures, but it saves me from having to get a new one built.

Still haven't decided how I want to skin the stand, but I do want it closed in. Might just cheap out and wrap it in black fabric. :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0490.jpg

Some new pics while I wait for the tank to arrive.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...e/IMG_0541.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...e/IMG_0545.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...e/IMG_0542.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...e/IMG_0544.jpg

Those are some amazing shots. ;)

looking great man, time for a clean on that cube all the salt creep shame on you.:biggrin:

Are you sure we are looking at the same tank?? haha..

:popcorn: Just along for the show.

hows the tank coming along? not sure if you said or not are you going BB or sand?

No word on the tank yet.. soon I hope though.

Sand bottom.. always. Gonna try and keep it <1" deep though.

may be from the light that it looks like salt creep sorry man. :cry: :smile:

oh ya the Acans are doing great pass that on to Kevin ok .

haha, yea the camera might have overexposed the loclines.. I do get salt creep there, but I clean it off every water change. :biggrin:

Glad to hear your acans are rocking! Give us some more pics!!

As Soon as I can get home here if you read my location in the thread it tells it all. after the 15th of Jan I will be in mexico or Disney:mrgreen:

I don't remember adding one of these guys to my 30G tank, and none of the rock is from my 75G, so I'm assuming he hitch hiked with the rock I used for this tank, but can't believe I have NEVER seen him before... but welcomed none the less... :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...e/IMG_0011.jpg

Hey...nice score Josh....*wonders why the only hitchhikers I get are the bad kind*....sweet pics too man.

FINALLY!!...:lol: Just got home with the tank, and of course it had to be -37C with a windchill today, it felt like insta-frostbite getting the tank from the back of fishytimes truck to my basement. (Thanks again Doug) Tank is sitting in my storage room thawing out right now.

Haven't decided if I want to do the transfer before or after Christmas. I leave on the 19th for BC for 10days or so. I got a knowledgeable tank-sitter, but don't really want to leave the responsibility of a fresh tank in their hands over the holidays.

Couple crappy pics... I apologize for the mess, I gotta make a few trips to the dump once the weather warms up. :redface:

Hope you guys approve. :wink:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0097.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0098.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0099.jpg

Are those some old dirty socks laying around on the floor? Nice tank.

Looks like my place when I did my 155. The maid took the whole damn week off, lol. Nice tank though for sure.

Not old nor dirty.. just not picked up. :lol:


Thanks guy!

Im just glad you got my truck back in one piece:lol::wink: j/k man... your gonna have to let me take the canyon for a spin....

good catch on the crusty socks.

What's the hole for in the back pane? I dig the tank man.

As long as there isn't a tank in the back! :mrgreen:

That's my return line. Only looking to run about 5-600gph through the sump..

Thanks! I'm pretty pleased with the look of it..

So here is where I am at so far...

30G is SHUTDOWN! The transfer is underway. Emptied the LR, coral & fish to a 30G Brute trash can/5G bucket with tank water, heaters & powerheads. 2 Clowns are in the 5G alone, the other guys are in the Brute trash can...

Got the 105G up on the stand.. So far I've added about 25G of fresh SW.. I think I might be a bit short on my water supply so I am making up a new 15G batch just in case.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0121.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0122.jpg


To be continued!

So... after a lot of work and a lot of stress yesterday, everything is in the tank and recovering. Slowly been adding fresh saltwater through out the day today and will continue until I get up to the return.. I'm waiting for my baffles to finish converting the 30G cube into my sump.. As you can see, fits like a glove. Now the hunt is on to find a skimmer short enough to do the job.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0125.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0127.jpg


Started doing the plumbing tonight. Herbie overflow.. etc etc.. Can't get to far on the plumbing until the sump is baffled. Dunno why I made this B&W, but thought it would be a neat change. :razz:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0128.jpg

Neat looking tank Josh! Kinda like it! The shallow depth makes it look longer! Will grow some awesome SPS I am sure!

Kinda like it?!? Come on! :lol:

It does give a bit of an illusion of length... (don't even think about the jokes guys!!!)

Anyways, finally finished up my plumbing tonight.

Starting off where my last pic left... the under side of the overflow. Running a gate valve for the Herbie. I mounted a couple of L-brackets to my stand to help support the drains and reduce any torsion/pressure on the bulkheads.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0130.jpg

From there, into the sump, which STILL needs baffles.. :censored: Doesn't sound like I will be getting them before I leave Saturday, and even if I did, the silicone probably wouldn't have enough time to cure, so couldn't add water anyways.

From the return pump I added in a T to branch off a ball valve. This will allow me to do a water change without shutting down my return pump. Open the lower valve, and shut the top one. I always like connecting the pump to the return line with hard plumbing, comes down to millimeters to get it all lined up properly. :mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0129.jpg

And finally, up the backside. Union Check Valve for the "just in case" moments. I would have liked to add another ball valve between the check valve and the top union so I could remove the Check Valve for maintenance, however it would be CLEARLY visible through the tank glass and I didn't want that. When the time comes to switch out the Check valve I will just plan a big enough water change to bring my water level below my return bulkhead.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0131.jpg

That's about it for now, until I get the baffles for the sump.. Need to hunt down a skimmer next, then finish up with lighting, and add my sandbed.... and then aquascape, and and and.....

Boooo check valves. :( Otherwise all top-notch build. :p

Why not use some of these instead..

http://www.thinkvacuums.com/fittings...pestrapbig.jpg

You should be able to pick them up at any Home Depot Rona in either the vacuum pipe aisle or the grey PVC ones by the electrical conduit pipe/fittings.

Ryan