KrazyKuch's & Michika's 180Gal Tank Build

[Pan]

Originally Posted by michika

The kit came from ECROS, www.ecrostech.com, and it can be ethernet capable if you want it to be. Apparently everything is modular about it. Per Kevin, "its just a development tool, you can add anything you want, you just have to make it. E.g. for pH, or ORP you just need to make high impedence amplifiers.

I'll send you a PM as well.

What happened to your RKE?

[michika]

Nothing, its running the 180g. Kevin is making his own because that was the deal, I got the RKE, and he gets to build one to try out on the big tank.

I'm looking for an electronic float switch, maybe two, to look at a continuous feeding model for the 180g for clams and SPS>

I was also browsing the forums on RC today and came across this, Kuramura's solution to adding more lighting to his system without adding more wattage.
I think its really ingenious, and innovative. Its making me revisit my ideas on light movers for the big system.

[michika]

So we taped out some options today for the big tank.

Option 1: 13ft (156") Long x 3.5ft (42") Deep x 2ft (24") Tall = 680.7g
This tank would be 3ft above the ground for optimal viewing when standing or seated.



Some buckets for perspective


Pros:
- 13ft is a lovely length
- 3ft or 3.5ft of depth is easy for me to reach

Cons:
- Giving up the only window in the basement
- Loose approximately 6ft from the current room for the tank and a walkway behind

Option 2: 10ft (120") to 15ft (180") Long x 4ft (48") Deep x 2ft (24") Tall = 598.4g to 897.7g

Pros:
- In-wall design, means we only loose about 1ft of space from the entire room
- Length can be expanded up to 15ft
- Get to keep the window
- More spare for a moveable light rack
- Sump could be under the display and accessible from both sides

This shows a 10ft length


Where the back of the tank would go


Under the stairs where the tank some of the tank would be.


I'm leaning towards option 2. It just has so many more pros then the original design. It would also allow us the added benefit of more space for entertaining in our basement.

And a lovely little winter suprise....you know your cold air intake is really bringing in cold air when:

[Rbacchiega]

***jealous!****

and I thought my 8X3X2 tank was big

[untamed]

I like option 2 much better. You didn't even list any "cons" for option 2.

[JDigital]

I'd say option 2 @ the 15ft length... That would be an amazing tank.. That 12footer on Nano-Reef is truly amazing.. I could only imagine a longer, fatter, deeper version.. (did that sound dirrrrty?!?)

[Lance]

Option 2 sounds like the way to go. Option 1 leaves little room for anything other than tank watching. Option 2 allows you some freedom for decorating, furniture, etc.

[Pan]

Originally Posted by michika

Nothing, its running the 180g. Kevin is making his own because that was the deal, I got the RKE, and he gets to build one to try out on the big tank.

I'm looking for an electronic float switch, maybe two, to look at a continuous feeding model for the 180g for clams and SPS>

I was also browsing the forums on RC today and came across this, Kuramura's solution to adding more lighting to his system without adding more wattage.
I think its really ingenious, and innovative. Its making me revisit my ideas on light movers for the big system.

So Kevins controller is sort of like this ?
http://www.appdig.com/adicon_new/ocelot.htm

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Sounds like you are planning this very well and it will be a great build!

The only thing that I would think isn't such a good idea is building the tank yourself...600G + is kind of a lot of water

[michika]

We have decided to go with option 2, and in-wall tank will have more long-term benefits for us, and its the better choice overall. I haven't done any planning yet, but I'll get to it soon enough.

Its definitely time to go back to the feeding stick, little pieces of PVC are a pain, and the fish make a huge mess with them. The less aggressive fish, like the bristletooth or the scopas, aren't getting their fare share.






I also wanted to show a bit of the awesomeness that came back with my clams from Tony's.

Look at the growth that came back on this one


These guys all grew a lot and got placed together on a rock. They need to be separated because they are soon going to start growing into each other


This guy came back with TONS of extra eyes