Starting a custom build

Kodama · Jun 3, 2016

Hello from the Treasure coast of Florida, I own a custom cabinet/furniture shop here (kodamadesign.com) and will be soon starting a custom built in reef set up for my home. Having fabricated and installed cabinetry for aquariums in the past I have structural knowledge of the needs for a custom build. Where I will be researching help on is the “guts” from skimmers to lighting I will look for opinions, suggestion, and help. The aquarium will be a room divider with water and drain lines ran right under the unit. I want to build an acrylic tank (opinions welcome) approx. 7-8 long but narrow in width 18”20” height less than 23” (material yield mainly) I will model this in 3d software first of course so I can fit everything J and wanting to do a Indonesia theme (insert more opinions here). This tank will be dividing a bath from a main room with both long views exposed with possibly 1 end. Advice on filters, pumps, LEDS, skimmers, (do I need a chiller with LED?) sand rock…etc… starting advice??? Anyone J thanks again, this is a great site to be apart of!!

Tony

mushroomrob · Jun 3, 2016

Wow, that a huge project. I'd suggest to start a build thread in the tanks section for more advice! Post pics of your build along the way!

sNaFu · Jun 3, 2016

Welcome to R2R

melypr1985 · Jun 3, 2016

Welcome to R2R! Glad to have you!

TUSI · Jun 3, 2016

Welcome home you will love it here.

andrewey · Jun 3, 2016

This sounds like a great build! By the way, atleast to start answering some of your questions, it usually isn't necessary to run a chiller with LEDs. However, depending on the internal temperature of the room and how many heaters you have (remember- return pumps, skimmer pumps, and power heads all act as "heaters"), you may need to run a chiller. I've never had to run one, but everyone's milage varies.

Scottsquatch · Jun 3, 2016

Welcome to R2R! Its a great forum to share ideas and get advice. Please do share your build by starting a build thread.

Kodama · Jun 4, 2016

thanks for the welcomes, I was kinda of hoping i could steer clear of the chiller but I will make sure i have enough amps to this location for sure. I will start renders this weekend and begin posting soon after. So should I start a separate build thread ? or keep adding to this one ? Link them maybe?

jsker · Jun 4, 2016

Welcome to R2R. I am about 2 hours north of you, and keep the house at 78 during the day and 72 at night. I run LED for the reason that I do not want a chiller and after 16 months my tank temp does not go over 78.5 and that is what I have my heater set at. With the water volume that you will have you can wire for a chiller but unless you have a pro longed power outage I do not see the need for a chiller.
The is a Q&A acrylic thread here at R2R, I asked a question or two when I build my sump. Here you go, found the thread https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/

Kodama · Jun 4, 2016

jsker thanks a lot, that is actually what I keep my house at! and will read the link when I stop for the day at the shop

KJ · Jun 4, 2016

Welcome to R2R!

glb · Jun 4, 2016

Welcome! I agree that the temp of your house will influence the tank temp more than leds. I have the thermostat at my house set to 73 and the tank heater to 78. I live in South Florida so I understand your concerns. Usually chillers are needed more under halide lights, which produce a lot of heat. Ask a ton of questions here. Everyone wants to help!

dbl · Jun 4, 2016

Another Floridian here saying welcome to R2R. I do have a chiller installed but as a others have said, your ambient room temperature and equipment will determine if it's necessary. Fans blowing across surface and/or sump can really help as well. Mine rarely kicks on but it's there in case I need it.

BoneXriffic · Jun 4, 2016

jsker said:
Welcome to R2R. I am about 2 hours north of you, and keep the house at 78 during the day and 72 at night. I run LED for the reason that I do not want a chiller and after 16 months my tank temp does not go over 78.5 and that is what I have my heater set at. With the water volume that you will have you can wire for a chiller but unless you have a pro longed power outage I do not see the need for a chiller.
The is a Q&A acrylic thread here at R2R, I asked a question or two when I build my sump. Here you go, found the thread https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/

What city jsker? You must be awful clise to me lol

And to the OP. Awesome start
...you will a million options...but first, whats the end game? More fish focused? Softies? Lps? Sps?

jsker · Jun 4, 2016

BoneXriffic said:
What city jsker? You must be awful clise to me lol

And to the OP. Awesome start
...you will a million options...but first, whats the end game? More fish focused? Softies? Lps? Sps?

Beautiful South Orlando. You mentioned were you lived on time, but you are right here also.