290G Peninsula Tank

daplatapus · #1 01-04-2013, 12:57 AM

With my very limited experience so far my first choice for QT/hospital tanks would multiple smaller tanks rather than 1 large tank. I have 2 - 20 longs and a 50. I've yet to use the 50 gal. If something went south and you had to move and house fish somewhere, it would seem better (again in my limited experience) to put aggressive-ish that don't do well with others in a smaller but longish tank (e.g.. tangs) by themselves and happy schooling, peaceful fish, in another tank or 2. Smaller tanks are easier to perform water changes in, so if the tank transfer method is for you, then that's a bonus. Smaller water volume makes it easier to treat with meds, you don't need as much. If 1 fish needs a rest/hospitalization, you're not running a 70 gal when a 20 would do.
Downside is, it's a smaller tank. Ammonia needs to be watched closer than in a big tank. And it would be hard to house fish that get a bit stressed with other fish in a confined space, therefore I'd opt to put them by themselves. Now if you had 30 Tangs in your main display, that could be a problem

Anyway, that's my $0.02
Hadn't seen it expressed yet, maybe there's a reason....

zum14 · #2 01-04-2013, 01:26 AM

Read the whole build. Im sure you have heard this lots but this is my dream build, just as your setup. As far as quarantine thats a toughy. You are optimizing your space pretty well already. The only thing i can think of and im not sure i even like it because of what needs to be done but, could you find a decent sized tank that fits inbetween the posts of your bench. Notch the lower shelf and set up a tank on a nice sturdy wood base with some locking casters? Have a place to anchor lights under the bench and if you really need to get in there or clean it you can unlock the wheels and wheel it out. Pending the tank is not too large. I dunno just throwing it into the pile. I just dont like losing shef space. Plus tank on wheels is kinda ehhhh.

mseepman · #3 01-04-2013, 04:41 AM

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions! I knew I was in the right place to get some ideas. I'm leaning towards building a simple table on the right along with a short platform under it to allow for the 70 to go underneath. I agree that the larger tank has both merits and disadvantages. I don't have the room to make the table fold up but I'll try to find a way to be creative with the build. One of the challenges is that the floor slightly slopes to the drain and I will have account for that in the design. I plan to keep the the 20g as the main QT for now though.

mseepman · #4 01-21-2013, 05:51 AM

Been working on the tank when time allows...amazing how many jobs come up when you move. New Vertex RODI is up. Great little unit but noisy and I can't figure out why. QT tank is up. Salty but nothing in it except for water and pumps to circulate.
Today I started making my first 100g of water. No leaks so far...but we'll see in the morning when I go to move water from the fresh bin to the salty one.
My plan is to fill the sump and then both bins with fresh water, then start moving it through the setup to get it upstairs to the display. I haven't finished plumbing upstairs yet, but I'm not too far off.

mseepman · #5 01-21-2013, 08:24 PM

What silicone is best for the odd plumbing fix..ie...at apvc joint you can't get to

nrosdal · #6 01-21-2013, 10:34 PM

if it is a pvc joint i would be more inclined to hit it with some more pvc glue the with some silicone. Unless you have already tried more solvent or if the gap is really big.

option 2 is: get you kids with their tiny little hands to get in and cut it apaart and re glue it for you

mseepman · #7 01-21-2013, 11:02 PM

haha...it's joint where the PVC screws into my fresh water barrel. It drips every now and then when the pump is pulling water from the barrel. It doesn't when it's just sitting under the water pressure of the tank itself.

I also now hate unions. Is there a perfect way to know they are good. Two of mine leaked and they couldn't be in worse locations to reach. I've redone them and they are fine now but I put a union into everything...go knows how many leaks I will have!!!! It scares the bejesus out of me and all I've got going is my water change station.