24x24x18 BUILD - brainstorming

[anizato]

Hi everyone.

 

I am planning on getting a 24x24x18 cube tank. Which is approximately 45 gal. I have a 10 gal I will be upgrading from, and will turn into the 45's sump.

 

I need help with:

 

1. Selecting an overflow, ideally I want a drilled piece that is easy to clean and is not inside the tank at all.

2. What should I do about my stand? I cannot find anything that isn't $600. It is ridiculous to spend that on a stand, I would rather DIY, any suggestions or plans? A side door for maintenance would be nice.

3. What is the formula for figuring out the sump? GPH from return pump, skimmer o no skimmer. 3.1 What is a baffle and what is it for, why is it necessary? 3.2 Know any good sump ideas for a 10 gal?

Is 10 gal sump good enough for 24x24x18 tank?

4. Lighting suggestions? I was thinking Kessil.

 

I plan on keeping 2 clams in the middle of the tank on the sand and have islands on the corners of the tank with different coral.

 

Reason I need to upgrade is because soon enough my 2 clown will outgrow the 10 gal, they are still babies but I only have about 3 or 4 months to get this tank setup and cycled for them.

 

 

ALL comments welcome. Thank you.

 

[JaceR]

3.1 A baffle is a separator, Usually used to make bubble traps from skimmers or to section off return pumps and refugiums. 3.2.1-Honestly a 10g sump on a 45g tank is a bit small, for example a 10g sump will only hold about 4-5 gallons of water if that. I'd look into something a little bigger,standard tanks don't have great sump dimensions so if ur going to get a custom tank built, might as well have them build a sump as well.

[Arkayology]

If I could do my tank over again, I would go to a welding shop and get a metal stand made. I would then skin it with some furniture grade ply or cabinet doors with magnets to hold them on. That way you have access to all three sides and never have to worry about the stand. It would probably run you about $400 to do all that depending on the price of wood.

[Boomsnapp]

1. One good choice for an overflow are the http://www.glass-holes.com/ overflows. They are internal though. I don't know how you will get any kind of overflow that isn't in the tank at all. I don't think it is possible. Another option is the Mame overflow: http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/chanet/item/60952/ but they are pricey. I would stay away from the hang-over-the-back style overflow though. I've heard horror stories about overflowing aquariums with these overflows.

 

2. For stands you have a few options. Most people will say make your own, which is great if you have the tools, skills, and workspace to do it in. However this isn't a realistic option for everyone. So another option is to find a local carpenter (many of them advertise on craigslist) I did it this way once and got a very nice stand built for my 11.4 gallon for about $120. Or you can buy a premade stand. Many of them are not good quality though (Petco, Petsmart stands etc) However, Deep Blue Professional has a line of stands that appear to be pretty well made and aren't ridiculously expensive. They also have some 24"x24" stands which would probably work well for your tank. Here's a link:

http://www.deepblueprofessional.com/cabinets.html

 

2. There isn't really a formula for sump size per se. The general rule is the biggest sump you can fit in your stand. And for a 45 gallon you will really want a bigger sump than 10 gallons if you can fit it in the stand. A bigger sump is more beneficial for a number of reasons. You can fit more equipment like skimmers, reactors, etc. Also more water volume is always a good thing for any aquarium. But one really important reason you will want a larger sump is to prevent an overflow. See any time your return pump is off (like for maintenance or if theres a power outage) the return lines in the aquarium will back siphon. In a 45 gallon tank that can be quite a bit of water rushing back into your sump and with a small sump theres a very real chance it won't be able to hold it all and you will have a disaster. And it might happen when you aren't home. So with something larger like a 20 or 30 gallon sump it should be able to handle the back siphon without overflowing.

 

4. For lighting you definitely can't go wrong with a kessil. They are great lights. You might want to look into Aqua Illuminations line of LED lights, the Maxspect Razors, Ecotech marine Radions, as well. They are all pretty pricey lights though.

[NorthGaHillbilly]

I just got my sump online yesterday and I'm pretty happy with it. It's a 10 gallon on a 24x18x12 tank. The baffel is there to keep the water level consistant in the chamber where your skimmer is, they won't run well when the level changes a lot. It also allows your return pump area, which is where evap will show, to be smaller so your ato kicks in due to .2 gal of evap as compared to .8 (purly made up numbers to explain)

Depending on how bug of a skimmer you decide on, if you do decide to run one, a 10 gal can get small I should be able to barely squeze in a sca 302

 

I just got my sump online yesterday and I'm pretty happy with it. It's a 10 gallon on a 24x18x12 tank. The baffel is there to keep the water level consistant in the chamber where your skimmer is, they won't run well when the level changes a lot. It also allows your return pump area, which is where evap will show, to be smaller so your ato kicks in due to .2 gal of evap as compared to .8 (purly made up numbers to explain)

Depending on how bug of a skimmer you decide on, if you do decide to run one, a 10 gal can get small I should be able to barely squeze in a sca 302

 

Boom makes a great point about being able to contain the water that will come back down when return pump is off, mine will hold it all, but not by much, and I ran my overflow box alittle lower so i can have a lot of turbulence without splashing over the side

[anizato]

1. I was looking at the Ghost Overflow. How would I install this?

2. I have several options for buying the tank itself, but have no idea who to go with. Any suggestions? I've seen them at $159.99 at its cheapest.

3. As for the stand, I like the metal frame idea so I can magnet all sides. I wonder what the reinforcement requirements are with the weight of a 40 gallon? Anybody?

[NorthGaHillbilly]

1. I was looking at the Ghost Overflow. How would I install this?

2. I have several options for buying the tank itself, but have no idea who to go with. Any suggestions? I've seen them at http://www.aquaticasuperstore.com/blog/2014/02/24/aquaticas-glass-aquarium-super-sale/'>$159.99 at its cheapest.

3. As for the stand, I like the metal frame idea so I can magnet all sides. I wonder what the reinforcement requirements are with the weight of a 40 gallon? Anybody?

With 40 gallons your lookin at 320 pounds give or take, it won't take much to hold it up if your getting a metal frame, 1" angle iron would be my mete risk of choice with some bracing in the corners

[anizato]

What do you think of CADlights, Artisan II Series? OR the 50g scaquariums.com

 

The dimension is exactly the same, except for adding 2" to the height.

Comes with sump, overflow, plumbing, stand, skimmer ..basically everything but the Display light.

 

One Kessil A360W would suffice right?

 

Do I have to cycle everything again? like 2 months would be ok? No light, no sump, just an AC110 with sponge? Should I add some of my Rubble, or just start clean and discard my current live rock?

 

How much sand would you add?

 

How much Live Rock? Where is a good place to get nice shaped Dry Rock reasonably priced?

[4x5]

One Kessil will most certainly be enough light on a 24" tank. I use one a350w on a 27.5" and the spread is fine.