Setting up office tank

Joshua Hurst · Dec 5, 2016

Hello Guys! Last night me and my dad finally made a decision on which tank were going to get after months of consideration! Its an Aqueon 65g 18.4"L 36.4"W 25"H, and we still need to make a decision on the stand, because we don't think the one they sell with it is very pretty, and it doesn't really go with his office.

So I have a few questions for the reefin community. As for my tank I have box filters, but I want this tank to look much more crisp (aka I don't want stupid box filters

) So that being said I would like nothing to be on top of the tank except for the lights. IS this possible? What kind/brand filter do you guys like? Skimmer? Anything Else?

alton · Dec 5, 2016

I have had a tank in my three different office's since 1998. Tank size from 20 to 158, currently a 65 gallon. One thing every tank had was a glass cover. I did have one tank that was not covered and lost two fish due to jumping over the weekend. Another reason for a cover is we cannot control what the cleaning people do. Plus the cover helps with evaporation, which is critical on three day weekends. FYI I am in my office 5 days a weeks for 11 hours, and my fish are fed 4 to 5 times daily, except on weekends they have to forage on algae in the tank. Having a controller that is internet ready would be a plus also to watch your parameters on the weekend. Not sure what you mean by box filters? I have a wetdry/sump that holds 5 gallons of water to handle evaporation so it does not need topping off for a week.

Reefrookie220 · Dec 8, 2016

Other than the extra water volume, and a fuge, another advantage of a sump is hiding equipment such as heater, skimmer, etc.

So in short, yes it's entirely possible to have nothing up top but your lighting. I would recommend a glass lid to help with suicide prevention and evaporation. Saves from having to be at the office on weekends.

saltrookie53 · Dec 8, 2016

@Reefrookie220 Glass over acrlic??? I am currently using acrylic but was going to ask if it hampered the light penetration of full spectrum. one disadvantage is that it warps and I have to flip every few days...

Reefrookie220 · Dec 8, 2016

That's the problem with acrylic, @saltrookie53 it warps. Glass lids don't, and aqueon makes them in sizes from 24,36,48. Depending on if your tank has a center brace you could use 2x24in or 1x48in.

As the acrylic warps, even flipping it every other day, the help with evaporation is negligible.

As far as I know, there are no light affecting differences. I know both of them block most UVB rays, recently learned that working with reptiles at work.

Joshua Hurst · Dec 8, 2016

saltrookie53 said:
@Reefrookie220 Glass over acrlic??? I am currently using acrylic but was going to ask if it hampered the light penetration of full spectrum. one disadvantage is that it warps and I have to flip every few days...

That sucks muchacho!!!!

Reefrookie220 · Dec 8, 2016

De nada mi amigo lol

Speaking it and spelling it are two different beasts to tame.

Joshua Hurst · Dec 8, 2016

Reefrookie220 said:
De nada mi amigo lol

Speaking it and spelling it are two different beasts to tame.

<3 Spanish. It's a beautiful language

saltrookie53 · Dec 8, 2016

hablo no Español

Reefrookie220 · Dec 8, 2016

I speak it pretty decently to be self taught. Pretty confident I can make way south of the border lol.

I took German in high school, can't speak it at all.

Joshua Hurst · Dec 8, 2016

I'm currently taking Spanish with JMans son

Joshua Hurst · Dec 8, 2016

Why German? Did you chose it

Joshua Hurst · Dec 8, 2016

Reefrookie220 said:
I speak it pretty decently to be self taught. Pretty confident I can make way south of the border lol.

I took German in high school, can't speak it at all.

^ sorry

Reefrookie220 · Dec 8, 2016

Yeah it was French or German. Only choices offered. German is where the chicks were. Kinda had a one track mind when I wasn't paying ball in those days lol.

saltrookie53 · Dec 8, 2016

Reefrookie220 said:
Yeah it was French or German. Only choices offered. German is where the chicks were. Kinda had a one track mind when I wasn't paying ball in those days lol.

I think we all did. but should have paid attention more in class instead of flirting with the girl beside me.. Could be making fat money from thw government by now.

Joshua Hurst · Dec 8, 2016

saltrookie53 said:
I think we all did. but should have paid attention more in class instead of flirting with the girl beside me.. Could be making fat money from thw government by now.

I didn't pass one Chemistry test this entire school year :/