Deep Tank Setup/Maintaince??

bugs713 · 02/07/2012, 09:57 AM

Just got a 185g, 45" long, 25" wide and 38" tall; it stands just over me at 6' 4".
Need advice on how you big tank guys maintain your tall tanks - aquascaping, corals, fish, cleaning etc. I have a robot arm but will need a better one.

Thanks!
[IMG]http://i41.*******.com/fxs7ps.jpg[/IMG]

Vinny Kreyling · 02/07/2012, 10:05 AM

Best to build a platform you can stand on.

octoreef · 02/07/2012, 12:19 PM

hi bugs713, why you don't turn the tank and make a shallow reef?
I don't konw if you like shallow tank... this is only a proposal, here on rc you can find a lot of technical support for acrilic's diy.
Shallow tanks are more easy to maintenace and lower in cost due to possibility of use of t5, for example.

dave.m · 02/07/2012, 12:32 PM

You will want to get two graspers (unless you have more than one pair of hands). Also, a very long-handled algae scraper can be an effective tool for pushing things about the bottom without needing a face mask and snorkel. And something that sounds really nuts but that I wish I had is a digital movie camera and a small TV or monitor so you can get a better view remotely of what you are doing (wrecking) way down there.

Dave.M

T Diddy · 02/07/2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave.m

You will want to get two graspers (unless you have more than one pair of hands). Also, a very long-handled algae scraper can be an effective tool for pushing things about the bottom without needing a face mask and snorkel. And something that sounds really nuts but that I wish I had is a digital movie camera and a small TV or monitor so you can get a better view remotely of what you are doing (wrecking) way down there.

Dave.M

+1 on the remote monitor...I can only access my tank from the back/top

dzfish17 · 02/07/2012, 09:10 PM

My tank is 46" tall. The platform is a good idea... mine goes all the way around the back of the tank for easy access. A long handled kent scraper and coralife tongs are a must.

deacon hemp · 02/07/2012, 10:21 PM

12" sand bed and garden eels and or seagrasses.

epicentyr · 02/08/2012, 07:55 PM

Fish only. Dim LED lights. Or a Discus tank. A reef is going to fight you every day. When $h1T falls over you will eventually be so fed up with it you will let it either die or survive on its own. I had a 32 tall and hated every minute i had to dip my face in the water to fix the stupid coral that wouldn't stick!!

PS nice C3. '78? I have a '71 conv.

chefzif · 02/08/2012, 08:55 PM

Wow! super deep! You will want to stay on top of this tank! hope you have the platform built it will sure help. Post pics when up and running!

TheFishTeen · 02/08/2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epicentyr

Fish only. Dim LED lights. Or a Discus tank. A reef is going to fight you every day. When $h1T falls over you will eventually be so fed up with it you will let it either die or survive on its own. I had a 32 tall and hated every minute i had to dip my face in the water to fix the stupid coral that wouldn't stick!!

Dont just push him down like that. If he wants to make a reef, let him make a reef. Its completely do-able. If he is keen on keeping SPS at the bottom of his tank he could invest in canon LEDs like Orpheks, and he will EASILY be able to grow SPS at the bottom of this tank.

Maintenance is another issue, but it's do-able, using mirrors and extendable tongs.

bugs713 · 02/08/2012, 09:45 PM

Thanks FishTeen!
It will be a reef and will probably go light on the LR but tall columns, maybe two - I want some good open swim areas. Will also be doing DIY LED's. I still have a lot of research and questions before I get going; I had everything set and ready for my 110 build, but had a bad tank, so kinda starting over. I will start a build thread and call it "2 Tall Build" when I get going. ha
Thanks for the advice and ideas.

epicentyr: My C3 is an 82, I do love those 70-71 verts! Kinda of funny, once I finished the restoration of the 82, I had to find something to spend all my money and time on... and hear I am!
Save The Wave

DaveMorris · 02/08/2012, 10:15 PM

I have a 30" deep tank and I love it. I rely on many animals for routine algea maintenance and as much as they can help me with. Good flow to keep detritus under control and plenty of sand sifting creatures. As for the eventual need to remove algea from the glass or acrylic, I rely on my Magnavore cleaner. They work fabulous.

krazyk148 · 03/24/2017, 02:52 PM

I plan on using a rc submarine with velcro to clean things at the bottom of mine

Be creative with it!

skanderson · 03/27/2017, 11:37 AM

my reef is 36 inches deep.long tongs and other grasping equipment is essential. I would also predrill all your live rock for easier placement of frags. for what its worth my next tank will be either 45 or 48 inches deep and a lot wider than the 36 inches that my current tank is.

02/07/2012, 09:57 AM	#1
bugs713 In-A-Gadda-Divita! Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Apache Junction, AZ - USA Posts: 2,345	Deep Tank Setup/Maintaince?? Just got a 185g, 45" long, 25" wide and 38" tall; it stands just over me at 6' 4". Need advice on how you big tank guys maintain your tall tanks - aquascaping, corals, fish, cleaning etc. I have a robot arm but will need a better one. Thanks! [IMG]http://i41.******.com/fxs7ps.jpg[/IMG] __________________ O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O Last edited by bugs713; 02/07/2012 at 10:10 AM.*

02/07/2012, 12:19 PM	#3
octoreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 54	hi bugs713, why you don't turn the tank and make a shallow reef? I don't konw if you like shallow tank... this is only a proposal, here on rc you can find a lot of technical support for acrilic's diy. Shallow tanks are more easy to maintenace and lower in cost due to possibility of use of t5, for example. __________________ Design Propelled :) ___o_0__ + __0_o___ Current Tank Info: deep acrylic syndrome

02/07/2012, 12:32 PM	#4
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	You will want to get two graspers (unless you have more than one pair of hands). Also, a very long-handled algae scraper can be an effective tool for pushing things about the bottom without needing a face mask and snorkel. And something that sounds really nuts but that I wish I had is a digital movie camera and a small TV or monitor so you can get a better view remotely of what you are doing (wrecking) way down there. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/07/2012, 09:10 PM	#6
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	My tank is 46" tall. The platform is a good idea... mine goes all the way around the back of the tank for easy access. A long handled kent scraper and coralife tongs are a must. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

02/07/2012, 10:21 PM	#7
deacon hemp Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Delta, British Columbia Posts: 248	12" sand bed and garden eels and or seagrasses. __________________ Deac Current Tank Info: starfire solana,AI sol,softie garden

02/07/2012, 10:05 AM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Best to build a platform you can stand on.

02/08/2012, 07:55 PM	#8
epicentyr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 310	Fish only. Dim LED lights. Or a Discus tank. A reef is going to fight you every day. When $h1T falls over you will eventually be so fed up with it you will let it either die or survive on its own. I had a 32 tall and hated every minute i had to dip my face in the water to fix the stupid coral that wouldn't stick!! PS nice C3. '78? I have a '71 conv.

02/08/2012, 08:55 PM	#9
chefzif Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stow,Ohio Posts: 1,662	Wow! super deep! You will want to stay on top of this tank! hope you have the platform built it will sure help. Post pics when up and running! __________________ 205g AGE Starfire, ATI T5 Hybrid Lighting, Octopus Extreme 3000 Skimmer, 2-Tunze 6105, 7096 Tunze Controller, 6215 Tunze Wave Maker, Tunze Osmolator, Apex Controller, GEO 618 Calcium Reactor, 285g Sys

02/08/2012, 09:45 PM	#11
bugs713 In-A-Gadda-Divita! Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Apache Junction, AZ - USA Posts: 2,345	Thanks FishTeen! It will be a reef and will probably go light on the LR but tall columns, maybe two - I want some good open swim areas. Will also be doing DIY LED's. I still have a lot of research and questions before I get going; I had everything set and ready for my 110 build, but had a bad tank, so kinda starting over. I will start a build thread and call it "2 Tall Build" when I get going. ha Thanks for the advice and ideas. epicentyr: My C3 is an 82, I do love those 70-71 verts! Kinda of funny, once I finished the restoration of the 82, I had to find something to spend all my money and time on... and hear I am! Save The Wave __________________ O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O Last edited by bugs713; 02/08/2012 at 09:54 PM.

02/08/2012, 10:15 PM	#12
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	I have a 30" deep tank and I love it. I rely on many animals for routine algea maintenance and as much as they can help me with. Good flow to keep detritus under control and plenty of sand sifting creatures. As for the eventual need to remove algea from the glass or acrylic, I rely on my Magnavore cleaner. They work fabulous. __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

03/24/2017, 02:52 PM	#13
krazyk148 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 121	I plan on using a rc submarine with velcro to clean things at the bottom of mine Be creative with it!

03/27/2017, 11:37 AM	#14
skanderson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: baraboo,wi Posts: 428	my reef is 36 inches deep.long tongs and other grasping equipment is essential. I would also predrill all your live rock for easier placement of frags. for what its worth my next tank will be either 45 or 48 inches deep and a lot wider than the 36 inches that my current tank is.