Sooner or Later...

My plans are still being hashed out, yet I plan to build something to awe. My time frame is set to have a tank after the wife gets back from summer vacation in Aug. For now, I'm in the prebuild/theory craft phase.

65-90gal
will build my own stand as I'm very confident in my ability.
DSB is what I'm leaning toward(5inch)
LED lighting
Mostly dry rock, with a few seed live rocks.
sump with refug for cato, miracle mud.
massive skimmer rated for twice capacity.
clowns/tang&massive cleanup crew to start, then as many corals as I can.

thinking ATO, wave maker, and controller as possible upgrades after established. ATO would be set to dose take as well... or so my thoughts imagine.

I know I am counting my chickens before the eggs hatch, yet I am eager to hear as many thoughts on my plans... tear'em up guys and gals, help me refine my dream to have it come out better in the end.

Thank you.

 

If I may recommend.. Check out glasscages.com they have fantastic display tanks for great prices. as well as sumps/fuges.

Forgot to add... When you're ordering from them, you have a plethora of options to choose from.. Silicone color, stand height, canopies, starphire vs regular glass, overflows, sumps, etc.

 

Comments/questions:

- What's your budget? If you're on a tight budget then Glasscages is ok, but if you don't mind spending a little more then definitely go with a different manufacturer. Glasscages does "ok" work, but far from the best. I've used them for sumps, etc., but not display tanks.

- Since you're going with a reef tank, I'd go with a 24" wide (front to back) tank. The extra 6" over 18" tanks makes a huge difference in your aquascaping options and viewing. Consider a 120g (48"x24"x24"), a 24" 90g (36"x24"x24" or a 60g cube (24"x24"x24").

- 5" sand bed is a lot for a display tank - takes up a lot of room.

- Controller: I'm very happy with my Apex

- ATO: won't dose too, you need dosing pumps for that. Will you dose 2-part? Kalk? Also, I'd go with an ATO from the start, it really helps with skimmer efficiency and you can get the JBJ for about $100.

- You didn't mention a RO/DI unit. You will need one.

 

Shoot, with that time frame, keep an eye on craigslist and pickup a setup at a fraction of new price.

 

Fantastic is a hell of a stretch. They are known for quality issues.

 

Really? I had one of their 55 gallons for a good four years... Then I sold it on Saturday. :/ I never heard about/ had quality issues.

 

Icon,

It all looks good, but as I think I mentioned on another of your threads,
I'd nix the DSB, the rest hyou have will take care of things.

 

A couple in our reef club had leaks in there's then the replacement leaked after just 6 months. From the research she did, she's not the only one. That was a large display, but it has made me stop recommending them.

 

This

 

Not only the leaking thing, but they don't look great eaither. I use their acrylic tanks for sumps and fuges, but never for a display.