timfederwitz Next Tank Build

[timfederwitz]

Hey All! It's been too long since I've posted on RC, but I have been lurking in the shadows now and again.

My original BC29 is still going strong! It is so low maintenance that there generally isn't that much to talk about. I did recently add an IceCap Gyre to it for some additional flow, but other than that the thing just chugs along. That was my goal with that tank and I have to say it has really worked out. I have kept the bio load low on purpose, so that it doesn't require much maintenance.

My wife wants to change up our dining room, where the BC29 is located, and the change will free up a larger area for a tank and she actually asked me to get a larger tank!! Go figure!

The space I have to work with isn't massive, but I should still be able to step up a bit in size. My goal is to once again create a tank that is very low maintenance, but I'm fine with accomplishing this through more automation, like AWC, roller mat filter, etc.

I will be definitely going the TBS Package route again, as I still believe that was one of the best decisions I made and is part of the reason for how little maintenance the tank requires. Plus, you get SO MUCH life with that stuff!

The largest tank dimensions I can work with are 42" long, by about 24" wide (front to back). Height doesn't matter much, but I love the look of lower height "lagoon" like tanks. For the front to back width, I could possibly go larger than 24", but not too much more.

I am looking for tank suggestions. Again, ease of use is paramount.

I know this isn't a traditional sized area and will limit me on any pre-fab tank solutions, but I'd like to use as much of that space as possible. The dimensions above leave a little room between the walls (it's a corner) to have magnets and run wires, but the left side of the tank probably wouldn't have enough room to put a hand back between the wall and tank/stand. A 36" long tank would allow enough room though, and is a more standard size.

I love the all-in-one nature of the BC29, but I also realize it has a tremendous amount of limitations. Still, a larger AIO tank provides more possibilities in the back part.

Some of the tanks I have been interested in so far are:

• Red Sea Reefer 250 - dims 36x20
• Innovative Marine SR-60 (AIO) - dims 36x24
• Red Sea MAX S 400 (AIO like with real Sump) - dims 41x28

My BC29 is VERY self contained with it's hood and everything inside of itself, but like I said earlier, this also has its drawbacks (like heat and needing cooling fans). While I love the look of rimless and open top tanks, I'm not sure I actually want one for my house. Even if I get a rimless tank, I will be getting a screened top for it at a minimum, but I think my wife would like something that is more self contained... like a tank with a matching stand and hood.

I'm not entirely sure where to find the tank I want, but I am willing to go custom if the cost is not too high and the wait is not too long. This isn't going to be my end-all-be-all tank, so I'm not that interested in dropping a TON of money on something custom unless the value (that I perceive) is there.

[timfederwitz]

So far, after showing my wife some of the possibilities and also going to an aquarium store that had the Red Sea Reefer and some other tanks, my wife is thinking she likes the Red Sea MAX S 400 the best. And honestly, I kind of like it too. Maybe because it is kind of an AIO hybrid with a sump and uses as much of the space as I could realistically.

The con is that it comes with all of the components and doesn't allow a choice in the matter, but maybe that's okay to start. I can always replace things down the road if I don't like something or want something different. I figure it has to be better than what I've been living with in my BC29.

I showed here various stands and hoods, but she didn't like the idea that it wouldn't match our dining room table, buffet & hutch, so would rather have something clean and not ornate like the Red Sea design.

While the MAX S 400 is still open top, she likes the border at the top to hide the water line, and the integrated light bracket looked better to her than any alternative.

So I will probably get this tank in the near future.


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[timfederwitz]

Change in plans… already! As we were doing the measurements for the new dining room furniture, we realized the stuff we had picked, along with the fish tank, didn't really work well in the dining room.

So my wife has the great idea to switch things up in the living room and give me an even bigger space for a tank in the living room!!

One of the things that helped is that we went to Captain Nemo's (now called Natural Pet or something) and she saw the cutest little porcupine puffer fish. She completely wants one and I said we couldn't put him in the small tank she wanted me to get. So now she wants me to go with the Red Sea MAX S 650!! Stepping up to the 175 gallon system!

How do I calculate the weight this thing will be? I'm thinking I'm going to have to reinforce the floor before I fill it!


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[timfederwitz]

I think I was able to track down all the numbers I needed to calculate weight. It's going to be a little over 2,000 pounds. It will be in a corner of a smaller portion of the living room where the joists are shorter runs and are on foundation on both sides, and the tank will be distributed length wise across many joists. So I think I should be fine to simply sister the joists to provide the needed stability. Luckily, my basement isn't finished, so it should be fairly easy work (famous last words).


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[timfederwitz]

I need to start getting my fish list together to do the necessary research. My wife and kids would like a Nemo tank, but I'm not sure if all of those fish can actually live in the same tank. The Porcupine Puffer fish is a definite… everything else will have to be secondary wishes.


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[marleesan]

The Red Sea 650 is only 5.5 feet and 150 gallons, which is way too small for a fish that grows to a foot long. Minimum tank size is 180 gallons, but I would say even bigger is necessary

[timfederwitz]

Originally Posted by marleesan

The Red Sea 650 is only 5.5 feet and 150 gallons, which is way too small for a fish that grows to a foot long. Minimum tank size is 180 gallons, but I would say even bigger is necessary

There seems to be some differing opinions on the minimum tank topic. The "A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species" book, which I believe is highly regarded, says 75 gallons. I have seen other sources on the internet that talk about 150 gallons, and pretty much all over the place.

In the research I have done so far on the fish (certainly not extensive) it would seem they are very slow growers and live for more than 10 years. Many of the people I have seen that have them say after seven years they are still no more than ~7-8 inches, and they are slow swimmers.

I will probably be moving in 5-6 years, and one of the features of the new house will be an area for a very large tank (180 gallons or larger).

I think this tank should get me that 5-6 years since I will be getting a small (2-3") porcupine puffer. You may disagree, which is your right.

[timfederwitz]

BTW, I haven't finalized my tank choice yet and could fit a tank over 6 feet long in the area I now have. Just looking at all my options still.

[soulpatch]

Personally I would NEVER get fish or anything wet from Captain Nemo's. just sayin...

When you are ready for fish let me know and I will put you in contact with some local wholesale guys.

[timfederwitz]

Originally Posted by soulpatch

Personally I would NEVER get fish or anything wet from Captain Nemo's. just sayin...

I was appalled at the state of that place and their tanks. It was even worse than the last time I was there getting my BC29 from them!!

There were so many dead fish in their tanks and other diseases... Massive aiptasia in most of their tanks, and all of their corals looked either bleached out or just sad.

[timfederwitz]

While I am still considering the Red Sea Max S 650, I am also now very interested in the Red Sea Reefer XXL 750 for its length and flexibility on components.

If I go the Reefer route, I need to choose my lighting. I love my Apex controllers and their capabilities, so I would love to find lighting that is compatible with that controller, or "Apex Ready".

The problem is, ALL of the searches I have been doing seem to have very outdated information on what is and isn't compatible. Like from 2015 or early 2016. Pretty much all of the light manufacturers have come out with new models and seem to be heading down the route of creating their own applications... not necessarily integrating with controllers like the Apex.

I love the Kessil AP700, but I can't find anywhere that says it is Apex Ready. I see a lot of posts saying "I contacted Kessil and they said it's in development", but these are all from 2016 or older. I love the simplicity of the Kessil's, and the look they provide.

Wondering if anyone can lend any advice on what is and isn't compatible?

[timfederwitz]

While I would prefer the AP700 for its sleek look and minimal housing, it looks like I could go with 4 x Kessil A360W-E lights, which are definitely Apex Ready and even have a cable for it. It comes out less than two AP700's, but I like the mounting option of the bent arms for the AP700. Maybe I can use those for the A360's as well.

My wife wouldn't like the flex arms they always show for the A360's.

[soulpatch]

If you intenx to go fowlr then you are way overspending for lighting

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[timfederwitz]

Originally Posted by soulpatch

If you intenx to go fowlr then you are way overspending for lighting

As we talked about when I came over today, it's more about the aesthetic, both above the tank as well as the way the lighting presents in the tank, over how much it costs.

I need something that is clean looking above the tank. The Kessil A360 wide angle covers 24", so I only need 3 to cover the 72" tank ($1,200). The goose neck brackets allow cable management and the ability to easily move the lights out of the way if I needed to.

I still haven't decided completely against the RSM650 yet though. The clean lines on that and cable management are pretty slick.