KrazyKuch's & Michika's 180Gal Tank Build

[Delphinus]

If cost and any other issues aside, I would try for 4, yes. But I recognize that when reality kicks in sometimes we have to tailor our expectations, but it doesn't hurt to explore the possibilities in the meantime. Like maybe you could try for 4', then if you found out that was a no-go, but then if maybe you could find out that 3.5' was workable.. why not. 6" is 6" and the more depth you have the more 'scaping possibilities you get.

I'm sort of with you on the 24" length. I like the look of 30" tall tanks but it's a pain to reach in. With my 280 I already have a problem and I even built a catwalk to help in the matter. Oh, the sacrifices we make.. I guess I can live with wet armpit shirts.

You can always make the stand a little higher if the tank seems shallow at 24".

[steve fedyk]

Tunze for water movement is great oppsion. Ocean mosions is good too if you don't have to drill holes in the tank. I would probly buy a second pump for back up, just in case.
What is your plan for lighting.

[michika]

We expect we will go with MHs and T5s, however we are actively look into other options; all T5s, LEDs, solar lighting, etc.

[BlueAbyss]

Since you are renovating anyhow, it makes sense that you consider solar lighting... I can't remember what the thread was called, but I read somewhere about a project using 'sun-pipes' that may work well, though here in Canada I would think you would still need MH or a number of T5s for winter lighting.

P.S. Can't wait to see the build thread on this! Honestly, even 11' long is monstrous compared to just about anything I've seen, at least in someone's home. Xcaret in Mexico doesn't count

P.P.S. Thinking about lighting a tank of this size, LEDs might be an excellent choice as well for the power savings alone on something of this size could potentially outweigh the initial cost. Efficiency would be paramount if I had a tank of this size... Eheim pumps come to mind also.

[michika]

Sadly solar tubes probably aren't going to be a realistic option. This tank is in our basement, and there is no logical way to put solar tubes there without giving up my kitchen, which obviously is not an option.

We think LEDs would be a good option, however the initial buy in, especially if you are making the entire fixtures yourselves, is quite high. To buy from the wholesaler its looking to be about $5 per white LED. We'll keep looking into it though and see what happens.

[Pan]

Wow....leave the seen for a few months and look what happens

[Parker]

Originally Posted by michika

I can barely reach the bottom at 24", any higher and I'll have a problem. Although Kevin does have long arms.....hmm

Wet armpits aren't so bad once you get used to them. I deal with wet arm pits now, with the new tank I'll have to deal with a wet upper body!

Originally Posted by michika

So are we saying that 4ft deep would be a better choice room constraints aside?

I vote for more depth, If I could go wider I would in a heart beat.

[michika]

Alright well I finally have amassed enough cardboard to do some trial runs. Sunday, provided I do not get injured in my game on Saturday, I will do a cardboard mock-up of the proposed length and height (13x3) and we'll see how it goes. I'll also mark off what 11ft would be for comparison.

In regards to the 180g its still looking iffy, but its coming back. The cyano is still around, it never really left, even after 3 days of no lights. This cyano can't be beat by depleating the light. It seems the clean up crew did more for combating the cyano then turning off the lights did. Although turning the lights off was definitely worth the attempt.

I was over at Tony's on Tuesday and we saw all my pretty fish and clams. I am so excited to bring everything home again. I need to do some aquascaping sooner rather then later!

[Parker]

I'm sure you've seen this before, a tank that's just shy of 11 feet from RC

Here is the build thread also:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

[michika]

Nice find, I'll take a look at the build thread when I have a minute or three. I like it, now if we did that it'd be in wall, but that is the idea.