A simple tank

[chanbi]

After getting so much advices from various reefers and tank makers, think i should at least start a thread to pen some of these down..

Main considerations:

1. Sitting on the balcony so may get some sun & rain (depending on which mth of the year)

2. Want to try braceless

3. Want it to be simple (min maintanence)

4. Because of (3), will not keep SPS (except monti caps.. hopefully). So will mainly be softies/LPS..

The only good thing so far about placing in balcony is i no longer need to worry that the heat from the chiller (scolding from OC?).. Just hope that it is not too dusty there to affect the health of my fish/coral..

Tank spec:

1. 3.5'x2'x2' braceless tank (front crystal clear) with external 0.5'x2'x14" overflow

2. ~3' height cabinet (wanted the tank to be as low as possible so that i can enjoy the braceless from on top)

3. 2nd hand 3ft ATI powermodule (6 tubes)

4. 2nd hand BK SM250

5. FR (still sourcing)

6. IKS kaput still considering whether to get controller

7. Eheim 1262 and AB7000 for return (1262 through chiller than return main tank direct)

[chanbi]

Btw, i will be getting my tank later!!

[teebs]

so when will u be getting ur tank???

[comycus]

Looking forward to your pics bro.

Just something to take note, it's almost impossible to keep SPS with Softies. The mucus coating that most softies shed is extremely toxic to sps.

Tt's why I gave up on my monti so i can keep my leather coral. Tt's just my preference.

Looking forward to seeing how your lower cabinet concept works out. Braceless top view sounds good already!

[jackywongto]

grats bro!

remember we want 1st hand photos

another balcony tank. woohoooo.....

good thing is the natural light (even non direct helps)

bad - Gotta be hardworking. clean algae off tank walls every other day at least.

There will be a lot of dust definitely. Be prepared.

[bobiegoh]

bro, try TAF in sump or side tank to counter the algae growth in main tank. Since your tank is at balcony, the natural sunlight will be a greater source to TAF, however, light bulb is still required. GB.

[chanbi]

so when will u be getting ur tank???

Later --> Today.. Hopefully!

[chanbi]

Looking forward to your pics bro.

Just something to take note, it's almost impossible to keep SPS with Softies. The mucus coating that most softies shed is extremely toxic to sps.

Tt's why I gave up on my monti so i can keep my leather coral. Tt's just my preference.

Looking forward to seeing how your lower cabinet concept works out. Braceless top view sounds good already!

I like the layering of the montis and typically not as light demanding and sensitive.. Will keep away from the more toxic softies like leather.. Thanks for the advice! And it is not really that low lah.. Just tall enough for the skimmer to go in with the sump (still ~3ft)..

[chanbi]

grats bro!

remember we want 1st hand photos

another balcony tank. woohoooo.....

good thing is the natural light (even non direct helps)

bad - Gotta be hardworking. clean algae off tank walls every other day at least.

There will be a lot of dust definitely. Be prepared.

Ya. Hopefully algae will be under control..

bro, try TAF in sump or side tank to counter the algae growth in main tank. Since your tank is at balcony, the natural sunlight will be a greater source to TAF, however, light bulb is still required. GB.

I purposely put the external overflow on the side facing the sunlight.. Hopefully it helps to block a bit.. May put some chaeto in there as well..

[jackywongto]

I purposely put the external overflow on the side facing the sunlight.. Hopefully it helps to block a bit.. May put some chaeto in there as well..

another natural algae scrubber lol.

Actually your lighting need to be stronger when tank is outdoor. Else you cannot see anything inside the tank in the day... can only see reflections....

[bobiegoh]

Ya. Hopefully algae will be under control..

I purposely put the external overflow on the side facing the sunlight.. Hopefully it helps to block a bit.. May put some chaeto in there as well..

Are you trying to use EOS for Algae and/or Cheato? Personally, I am not in favor of this setup. The Algae or Cheato might clot your pipe. GB.

[chanbi]

another natural algae scrubber lol.

Actually your lighting need to be stronger when tank is outdoor. Else you cannot see anything inside the tank in the day... can only see reflections....

Hmm.. Didn't know that.. No choice but to live with it..

[chanbi]

Are you trying to use EOS for Algae and/or Cheato? Personally, I am not in favor of this setup. The Algae or Cheato might clot your pipe. GB.

I partition it.. Not a lot of space but hopefully it works.. Will show a pic when it is ready!

[bobiegoh]

I partition it.. Not a lot of space but hopefully it works.. Will show a pic when it is ready!

Just remember that an effective TAF size is 1sq inch = 1gal under strong water flow. All the best to you. GB.

[ReDDeviLs]

watching tis update

[cdckjn]

be very careful about the heat coming in from indirect sunlight, the temperature of the tank can go up to 31 degrees if you are not careful. water evapouration will also be much higher too.

[Solo77]

will be following up yr thread, bro. Some 2 cents worth advice, the algae problem which some bros have pointed out. Low cabinet height, please ensure you have clearance space for your equipment maintenance, especially your SM250....., your return pump seems strong and you need to plan your pipe size and sump to support it. going for 2 ft height and low cabinet height, top viewing is good and front viewing may be abit off(personal preference) and for controller, not a must but given a choice, dont just look at purchase price but maintenance support.....some items can buy low but support is expensive. Hope to meet up with you one day to share pointers. All the best.

[chanbi]

be very careful about the heat coming in from indirect sunlight, the temperature of the tank can go up to 31 degrees if you are not careful. water evapouration will also be much higher too.

That is something i be very worried. Can be quite hot there during certain mths.. And i am running out of space for top up box.. errgh..

[chanbi]

will be following up yr thread, bro. Some 2 cents worth advice, the algae problem which some bros have pointed out. Low cabinet height, please ensure you have clearance space for your equipment maintenance, especially your SM250....., your return pump seems strong and you need to plan your pipe size and sump to support it. going for 2 ft height and low cabinet height, top viewing is good and front viewing may be abit off(personal preference) and for controller, not a must but given a choice, dont just look at purchase price but maintenance support.....some items can buy low but support is expensive. Hope to meet up with you one day to share pointers. All the best.

Thanks for the inputs..

Finally get my tank just now.. Not exactly that low.. Still ~5ft height. Sump will be 3ft long but only 15" height (need to keep 12" clearance for SM250). Really nothing much in my sump except skimmer, FR and 2 return pumps (hopefully can keep it that way). There will be 2 overflow pipes to handle the flow.

Controller.. May hold on to it.. Somehow after getting the tank, dun seem like i have much space to play around? I definitely hope to meet up with u one day too!

[jackywongto]

Thanks for the inputs..

Finally get my tank just now.. Not exactly that low.. Still ~5ft height. Sump will be 3ft long but only 15" height (need to keep 12" clearance for SM250). Really nothing much in my sump except skimmer, FR and 2 return pumps (hopefully can keep it that way). There will be 2 overflow pipes to handle the flow.

Controller.. May hold on to it.. Somehow after getting the tank, dun seem like i have much space to play around? I definitely hope to meet up with u one day too!

ENJOY! take more pics

[craftsman]

grats bro!

remember we want 1st hand photos

another balcony tank. woohoooo.....

good thing is the natural light (even non direct helps)

bad - Gotta be hardworking. clean algae off tank walls every other day at least.

There will be a lot of dust definitely. Be prepared.

Definitely got algae.. Be prepared.. ha ha ha ha.....

[TayHongSiang]

Some inspiration for you and everyone here...

Grow some SPS on top to make use of the sunlight. ($200)

Put a small fan to cool yr chiller during hot months. ($20)

Get a super long scrub to clean yr tank walls especially behind. ($50)

Wavemakers to maintain flow to reduce algae growth. ($500 - $1,000)

Seeing your shack look in the mirror...priceless

[comycus]

Some inspiration for you and everyone here...

Grow some SPS on top to make use of the sunlight. ($200)

Put a small fan to cool yr chiller during hot months. ($20)

Get a super long scrub to clean yr tank walls especially behind. ($50)

Wavemakers to maintain flow to reduce algae growth. ($500 - $1,000)

Seeing your shack look in the mirror...priceless

lol reading this post is also priceless

[chanbi]

Haha!! Mine is indirect sunlight so hopefully won't be that bad.. Definitely dun want to be shack again.. Just hope to enjoy this hobby. That why not so ambitious this time round..

[jackywongto]

hey chanbi,

any update on your tank.

Also you used to have an acrylic tank. Any tips on maintaining it?