Tank upgrade decisions

fermentedhiker · Apr 1, 2018

So I'm planning on breaking down my two 29 gallon(common sump) reef tanks. I've just never been happy with managing them or the scapes etc...

I'm allowing myself a 48" tank footprint. I could go max size which in a standard tank would be a 4 foot 120.

My second option is a stacked tank idea I've played with before. In this case the main tank would be a 75 gallon with a 40 gallon long mounted above it as a display fuge type tank to put stock that might get eaten in the main display.

Of course the problem I ran into is making the height of everything work. Originally I planned 12" working height above each tank. so adding the 40L (16) + 75(21)+12+12 with an 85" ceiling I end up with a 24 inch base height of the DT. Too low really and doesn't leave much room for height in the sump

Shaving the 40L working height to 10" gets me up to a 26" base. I think that's still not enough. Most tank stands run a height of 30-32" give or tank and they don't have ton of room under them as it is. If I drop down to a 60 gallon with a height of 18" that gives me a base of 29". Could be close enough, but I've sacrificed a lot of volume to get there.

Of course I could gain some volume back by ordering custom tanks that are wider. Not sure if that makes sense for a tank that is only view-able from the front panel.

Reefing Madness · Apr 2, 2018

fish farmer · Apr 2, 2018

Where is the fuge tank going to be in relation to the 75? Is it directly behind it or next to it? Are you planning on drilling the 40? and the 75? Could you drill the 40 in the side and have the bottom below the top of the 75. You would probably wand to build some type of containment area where you drill so the whole fuge doesn't end up in the display.

fermentedhiker · Apr 2, 2018

Apparently I wasn't clear enough. The fuge would be a header fuge ie directly above the DT. Plumbing issues don't worry me. The fuge would drain into the DT , the DT to the sump and the sump would have separate return pumps for the DT and the fuge. The sump would have enough reserve space for the drain back from both tanks in the event of a power or pump failure.

fermentedhiker · Apr 5, 2018

So while I was mulling over the idea of a bigger tank say a toss up between a 4 ft RR 120 and building a sump etc... or a Red Sea Reefer or a Waterbox of approximately the same size. I'm really starting to lean back towards the stacked tank/header fuge even with it's challenges.

This would allow me to put some of the smaller inverts and fish in the upper tank and would give me more freedom with stocking selection in the DT. I'd probably end up putting my Pink streaked wrasse, cherub pygmy angelfish and yellow assessor in the upper tank where they would be free from harrassment.

If I went custom I could gain all my lost volume back. Say 48x24x18 display with a header fuge that is 48x24x15. Just not sure a 24" width is particularly useful in a tank so shallow that is viewed from the front and not the top.

fermentedhiker · Apr 23, 2018

Looks like the decision was made for me. I've scored a 3 year old RR 120, including tank, sump, return pumps, heaters, and lights for a great price. Not all equipment I would have necessarily chosen, but it'll get me started and will allow me spend money elsewhere. I'm currently debating still attempting a header fuge, but it would have to be custom. Looking at having a 48"x12"x12" acrylic tank made for it.