custom 150 vs standard 120
 

i was originally planning a standard 48x24x24 120 gal tank setup, but now i'm beginning to think that i'd like to go bigger. i'm thinking of having a custom 150 gal built, 48x30x24 (30 being front to back, 24 being top to bottom). this would give me more room for aquascaping, something i plan to spend a fair bit of time on. how do you folks feel about the idea?

Hey,
Well on my next tank the front to back mesurement will be 30" .
That depth I figure will look astonishing! Especially if the tank is in the wall.
I say you cant go wrong but make sure it's still in the budget :wink:
I have no clue on how much $ that would add to the tank.

As long as you can afford it, you won't regret the extra breadth dimension.. sounds like a great tank you're planning.

now i'm a bit more worried about evaporation. this thing is going in my bedroom. i guess it won't be much worse than a 120 gal. :?

Get a glass cover made while you're at it.

ok if i go with a 60x30x24 i have 187 gallons of water. this is more than 12 times as big as the original size i was going to do in december (15 gal nano). this is getting stupid. anyone wanna buy a bed?

but seriously, if i have the money and my parents will tolerate it, i will probably do it. the length and width (front to back) would be enough to accomodate the yellow tang and two heniochus i want so badly. a few questions arise.

will two 400w 10k MH fixtures provide sufficient light for 5' of water? i know this almost needs three.

jon, will the skimmer i'm getting off you be able to skim 200 gallons of water until i can upgrade (maybe in the fall). also, will the calcium reactor be sufficient?

do i need air holes in the glass top? i'm assuming so, because i'll need finger holes in it as well.

anything else i should be worried about at this point in time, considering that i am now considering an extra 67 gallons of water sitting on the second floor of my house? this tank will weigh well over a ton when it's done.

help me before i hurt myself.

Quinn, the reactor and skimmer will be fine :wink:
Maybe go with the 120 if you are doubting it. my current tank depth is 18" and 24" is a dream. 30" is a fantasy :lol:

The lighting will be ok but it is more suited for 4 feet, but it's probably not going to be a big deal. If you get a glass top the light's will have to be probably 12" off the top so you will get a good spread anyway.

i think i've reached a happy medium for now: 54x30x24 for a total volume of 168 gallons. still darn big, only 6 inches longer than before (and length is more of an issue than depth). this will also give me more room for my refugium because this way the sump can be bigger. jon you'll probably agree that the refugium could be bigger (for the rest of you, i'll try to post a final design for the sump tonight).

Umm ... do I understand correctly you're going to put a 170 gallons of water on the second floor of your house?

I would check with a structural person, possibly even your house builder, before you put that water up there. I hate to be a pessimist, but ... Murphy's Law can and does happen...

should be all good, my dad built the house and he's planning to reinforce the floor. somehow i've managed to get both my parents on my side for this endeavour...

what mag pump would you guys be running for sump return on a tank of this size?