My 6 Acrylic Coffin Reef Project.

[Ian]

Hey guys I would like to share my plans on my 6 footer tank. It's going to be a very slow process and I'll keep this thread updated as much as I can.

For now I'm still in the designing stage.

The plan...

6ft by 2ft by 2ft Acrylic Tank Using 20mm thick Cast Acrylic all around.

The picture is a diagram of the "planned" plumbing. Do let me know if you have any suggestion. By the time I actually drill the holes it wouold be about a month from now

[Ian]

Here are some links where I get my ideas from

http://mojoreefs.homestead.com/files/newsite/index.html

http://www.moyesreef.com

[Joe_P]

Woah... way cool...

Do keep us updated.....

[Blenny]

what pumps are you using for your close loop?

[Ian]

This is gonna be a very slow setup as I want it to be done right the first time. hopfully

Hopfully the 2 MD55 I ordered.

1 for return and skimmer and the other will be a dedicated close loop.

[Terryz_]

So... Using close loop for the current huh...

[CalciumReef]

why not use tunzes?stronger and consume less power...(Referring to closed loop)Loc line is splited into two outputs..so divide the total water head by 6....current could be quite weak.Moreover current restricted to come from the back of tank.Even though the loc linme is adjustable...i believe there will still be constraints.

My 2 cents...just suggestions

[Ian]

CalciumReef, you got a very good point there! I would save on buying 6 bulk heads, 6 loclines and also electricity wise. But Tunze rather high cost. I would need like 4 right?

[CalciumReef]

depends how u intend to place them...i think 2x 12000/h should be enough

[CalciumReef]

[Ian]

Thx Ca reef. Maybe if I buy 4 tunzy can get discount from edmund!

Blenny, I would be using only the Y potion where it splits into 2 and the ends only.

[CalciumReef]

4 may be overkill....haha....unless you buy ts48...

[roidan]

bro Ian,

i using only 2 tunzes blowing at each other from each end of my 6footer and the current is great...but then again since you sps lover..maybe need 4...lol...

for me 2 is enough for now

[Ian]

Looks like the idea of the closed loop is fading a way....

[roidan]

bro ian..

i think the simple idea of flowrate per watt will make you sold on streams already....

you can use 1 smallest stream and already will be higher than the closed loop by the iwaki already...hehe

6000 litres/hour...totally no head loss

[marinebetta]

Use the streams....they move much more water and if you use the electronic ones, there are a number of modes you can set them at to simulate tides etc.

[Ian]

Streams it is then.

I'm getting mix reviews on the electronic type. Some say good, others say waste of money.

Blenny what size tank you gonna get?

[marinebetta]

MArine bette are you using one too. Care to share you rank size and the model you are using?

Rank??? I ORD already

I have a TS24 kit but not set up yet....Will be set up in a 5x2.5 tank

[lvcap]

yo Ian...

great tank in the months to come....

do invite me over when it is up!!

i think a tunze is good enuff?

it is creating a mini sand shifting exercise in my 5feet..and its a 6060 only..

placed it right up and blowng across the length of the tank..yet it is strong enuff...

wonder how the epxerts in here use 2-4 tunzes?

[Achilles Tang]

Closed loop returns will be good for near the top or bottom of the tank.

A problem with Tunze streams is that it may sucked in air bubbles if placed too near the water surface and it may move a lot of your sandbed if placed too mear the bottom. They are better placed in the middle.

The closed loop returns will help cover the 'dead' zones especially near the 'start' of the Stream's water cone.

My 2 cents.

[hmkui]

hi Ian.. just my 2 cts thots.. just wondering have u chk out the price for the full mold acrylic tank? cos it will be quite costly.. but i do see the point why u didn't use glass tank... u have to drill a lots of hole on the tank and if it is made of glass.. it tends to weaken the strength of the glass... well.. could u be kind enough to invite me to take a look of yr completed tank. Would love to see the complete product.

Thks

[jc85]

Ian is our sponsor and his latest addition to his range of products is arcylic tank.

[riot]

Use the streams....they move much more water and if you use the electronic ones, there are a number of modes you can set them at to simulate tides etc.

I agree with marinebetta

the 4 sets of streams is a heavy investment, but you will reap the heavy turbulence and tidal movements it will replicate. Ian, you still continueing with your SPS right? Betcha they will love streams. Besides, your tank is BIG enough to cater for the set.

[Ian]

Sorry for late update.

I've decided to still do the cloosed loop and If necessary I would get 2 streams later on. It will be easier to the the cloose loop first.

I did check the cost to do an acrylic tank.For a 6 2 2 20mm thinckness Dama Plastic is charging around $2200. Well I can get it done myself much less .

I'm still gonna have a mix reef as I've always liked it. At least now when I get my clams I get to see the true colors.

4ft plus of my cabinate is gonna be dedicated to my filtering equipment. All pumps will be external and so will my "NEW" Protien skimmer.

My chiller will be in my cabinate. The back will be open and the door will be lovered. The space behind the tank is about 6". I will not have a chiller case and the heat exchanger will be above the sump, away from the heat. Tempreture controller will be inbuilt in the cabinate and and the sensor will be placed in the sump.

Well these are just some of the ideas I have so far.

[nutx]

At least now when I get my clams I get to see the true colors.

Agreed with you on this.

But maybe you can share some method to prevent scratch, esp when those 'spot algae' grow on the tank wall....currently I'm using plastic card and cutter blade to scrap off...which damaged my glass already....

I like abt acrylic is that there will not have silicon joint, which is another problem I have with algae!