[nturavgbr]

hello all, this is my first post to reefbuilders, although i've been scoping out the forum for awhile and am ready to seek advice.
i acquired a 55 gal saltwater fish/invert tank from my former boss who was relocating several months ago.
my issue begins here; this tank is too large and costly for me to convert into a full reef setup, and i have been thinking since i acquired it that i would much rather convert an old television into a tank instead. here are my main concerns, but i will welcome any constructive criticism. im thinking the final volume of the tv tank will be in the neighborhood of 60-65 gallons. much of this volume will hopefully be a sump/refugium next to the display tank. the tv im going to use is one of those 80's type floor-standing ones with the control panel beside the screen, with the wood panelling.

will i be able to mold acrylic to the shape of the tv screen?

what would be the most effective way to prevent heat buildup from lighting, etc if all the equipment and hardware will be contained within the housing of the television? i cannot afford a chiller. should i just buy some fans to assist air circulation?

what is the optimal ratio for refugium volume to display tank volume? i dont have the cash to fill a 55 gal with reef organisms, but i'd like to cram as much stuff in front of the roughly 24x21 inch screen as possible. i have ample volume available beside the display area for a refugium. how big should i go with the refugium?

should i use an external pump to return the water from the refugium to the display tank? and if so, should i channel the water to create currents as a powerhead would? the water will enter the refugium via an overflow from the adjacent display tank.

should i employ an undergravel filter in the refugium?

i was hoping to employ two CF lights or T-5's vertically on either side of the tv screen as well as more lights above the water surface. is this a good idea? any suggestions?

if i want to make my own live rock out of aragonite and concrete, is there any safe way to color it by adding dye to the uncured mix?

if i think of any more questions as my plans and construction progress, i will be sure to post them along this thread, as well as keep the curious informed with photos.

thanks yall!

[e_baer]

you can defintely make your own live rock, but you need to seed it with real live rock, and a few months later, you will have your own live rock. im not sure if you would want to die it though. the color will most likely fade and color the water. just get coraline algae to grow and it will be a natural dye. I also have a 55 and i have spent about 3500 on it, and it is a reef tank. I do not have loads of coral because thye have not grown tons yet, but are working on it. I definately could have done things cheaper, but sometimes you just need to learn through experience. LOOK ON EBAY AND CRAIGSLIST FOR ROCK AND CORALS AND SKIMMERS AND LIGHS AND WHATNOT!!!!!!!i made the mistake of going to my lfs and overpaying, and dince it seems like you are not willing to pay loads of money, the internet is your best bet!

[glampka]

Acrylic could be molded to the size of the screen but I'd just leave the front panel flat. You may end up weakening it if you try to form it to the screen shape.
A refugium should be roughly 10% of the tank volume. You will need a return pump to get the water from the sump/refugium back to the main tank. You can plumb multiple returns to get circulation within the tank.
Depending on the type of lighting you plan on using it's possible to cool things down with fans.
Under no circumstances should you use an undergravel filter - they pull all the garbage into the substrate where it rots & turns into a nitrate problem.
For instructions on making your own live rock formations check out Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation Home Page. Don't dye it. Within a short period of time the rock will start to color up on its' own.
Good luck & post some pictures of your progress.