Designing the Perfect Tank

Okay, I'm a bad person for using that title. The point is, I want ideas on how I can design my perfect tank.

I have a little while to go. My wife and I will likely buy a house this year if all goes well and when we do, I want to set up a long term tank. I'm thinking through many of the compromises involved. In terms of size, I'm in a range from 120 - 240 gallons. Definitely SPS dominated. Here is my problem...

I love rimless tanks with minimalist light suspensions. I can handle the lighting, but what I hate is wires and plumbing. I need links, ideas, advice, etc. for how to hide the wires and the pluming on a tank that can be viewed from all 4 sides.

I love my vortechs. I don't know if there is any way to get them into that kind of a setup. Is it possible to get flow that is similar? How? Is a center overflow the only way to eliminate the plumbing? Is there a way to get rid of the overflow?

If someone is aware of anyone who has done this, particularly of anyone who does great work in Houston. Let me know.

 

You could have a rimless center style overflow similar to what Reefbruh is building, but mounting the vortechs would still have to be on the outside. 2 Sea Swirls on ta closed loop system would look sweet and work well too. Tougher to plumb but surely do-able. Go as big as you can and get an Achilles tang please!

 

Check out this tank for ideas and inspiration. It's easily one of the coolest, and well done, home reef tanks I've ever seen. Central overflow with everything hidden and plumbed straight down into the basement. I know there are some youtube videos but I can't remember his name. There's probably a build thread on ReefCentral too...

Tank of the Month - December 2008 - Reefkeeping.com

 

Funny you link to that. That tank and that sitting area has been an inspiration for me and a motivator for my wife in this hobby.

As for the Achilles. She likes em, so I'm likely to aim for an Achilles friendly size. I'm just trying to keep in mind I'm the schmuck that has to do the water changes!

 

Yes, that entire room is simply amazing! It will be my motivation too...if I ever find myself that financial set in life ;D Best of luck!!

here's a good vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_LWF2mAs1U