[mattdean]

Upgrading to 125 long reef tank - trying to head off any problems

Sooo, I have a beautiful 46 gallon bow front reef tank, however, I set it up without a sump or refugium and the glass is a bit scratched from my cichlid days. So, I was going to switch out the tank and have it drilled and a sump, yadda yadda yadda. Now, I have decided to move my recording studio/office down to my lower level TV room (which will require tearing down walls of my storage room and redoing most of the level) and do a peninsula 125 gallon long tank. I don't want to have any surprises (I know, I'm dreaming) so I want to make sure all my basis are covered. I hope to get a tank that is 6 long X 2 wide X 1.5 high. (I know it's more than 125, but I may down size it to 125, so for the sake of discussion I'll use that volume.

My questions are :

Will this size be more work or less work over time? Less frequent water changes? More stable? I know everything size has it's own challenges. I want to know what those challenges may be for a 125 gal.

I will have at least 130 pounds of live rock in it. I want to do 3 islands with canals between them. Lots of caves and holes. Should be nice. It is going to be a mixed reef with mostly softies, LPS.

Is moisture from the tank going to be an issue in my lower level TV Room. (Lowest floor of a 4 level back-slit house. So essentially, it's like a basement. Do I need to vent the heat and moisture outside? this would be a challenge as the outside walls near the tank go under a porch.

I have an Aqua Medic Turboflotor Multi SL Skimmer. Should be good enough - it's rated for up to 200 gallons. I plan on a 55 gal sump w/refugium. I can do a 75 gal sump but don't know if that is either necessary or wise. Suggestions? I also have an Ehiem Professional II canister filter. Can I easily make this a reactor of some sort without have to hook it on the side of the tank> I was told i couldn't just put it on the sump because it needed to be BELOW the tank it is filtering. Is this accurate?

I think I will need to build a canopy - not my idea of fun, but. I don't like the idea of a light on a stand. It will ruin the look. The stand will match the walls in the room so I will match the plaster of the walls to the canopy. It will have 6 5 foot T5's. 2 Blue 22K, 2 Fiji Purple, 2 17K Duo whites. My biggest concern is accessibility to the tank for maintenance and cleaning, etc.

I plan on have 2 corner overflows and 3 drilled holes in the bottom for water flow. One in the middle high up with two spouts facing opposite each other and 2 same way only lower and more near the corners.
Is this ideal?

Obviously I will do the build and plumbing, etc. Since this is on the bottom floor I need to keep everything contained underneath the tank. Anything I should be wary of? Things to watch for, shy away from?

I also want to keep this as quiet as possible, since it is essentially in my recording studio. I will have heavy drapes that I will pull across when recording vocals, but it is also my TV room and hate anything messing up my theatre sound So, any tricks? tips? I will probably have to pony up for a more expensive pump to keep it quiet, but anything that helps os good to know.

Any other tips are welcome and appreciated. I will start a build thread once i get going. May be a few months before I get the room ready for it/

Obviously, everything from my current setup will go in the new tank. Here's a shot of my current tank.

[mattdean]

nobody?

[carym]

Ok, just read your post, and let me answer a few of them and then I have a thought.

I have 125 gallon (total water volume is about 200 gallons), yes I think that size is more stable. In a basesment level you do have to be some what concerned with heat and moisture, if you do the peninsula then you will need to vent it. Also, yes you will need to build a hood or have a very attractive light. And yes if you do the peninsula then you will have to be concerned with noise, not just the pumps but the water flowing back into the sump and fan's that you will probably have running to keep heat down.

Now, for the question or thought, since you will be "building" from scratch, have you thought about an in wall with a fishroom behind? This is what I have and I have no problem in the main basement area with; moisture or noise and I didn't have to build a hood as it is all contained within the fishroom.

Here is a picture of my tank that was taken at the beginning of the year.

[mattdean]

Hey Carym,

Nice tank! Unfortunately, I can't build into the wall. The tank needs to be in the middle. It's the only way the layout for the room works. The basement is already finished except on room. I'm simply opening it up.

I'm thinking I am going to leave the tank open with the light on legs instead of a canopy. I like the look of the open tank, but not so much the light. Should be good though and better for heat and moisture. I plan on running a dehumidifier anyway.

The project costs have skyrocketed which may kill the whole thing. It's going to cost my over $6000 canadian before I put fish and corals in! I was hoping to keep it closer to $4500. So....these are the things I need to work out as well. Sure would be nice though. Just can't seem to find a cheaper alternative in the Toronto area that won't sacrifice the effect I'm going for.

I don't want a "24 high tank, I want a shallow reef, so it means custom built tank and the light is crazy expensive.

Anyway. I appreciate your input.

Cheers.