Need help designing a tank

[RuffReef]

New to the hobby and starting a new tank which will be built into a wall and wanted to get some ideas on the tank setup since I have to custom order a tank. Below are some rough drawings I did in paint to give an idea of where I want the holes, it will be a peninsula so I need all returns and drains on the bottom and not the sides/back. The tank will be roughly 200gallons with the dimensions of 60" long x 30" wide x 30" tall.

Any thoughts are welcomed

Side view:

Top view:

 

[Tangwich]

The only thing I can comment on from experience is that you might want to reconsider the height of the tank. Don't get me wrong, I loved having the "show tank" look of a 30" tall viewing panel that was my last tank but maintenance and aquascaping along with lighting was a real PITA. I think if any part of the hobby becomes a chore, then eventually it stops being fun. Other than that, your drawings look pretty good IMO.

 

[RuffReef]

The only thing I can comment on from experience is that you might want to reconsider the height of the tank. Don't get me wrong, I loved having the "show tank" look of a 30" tall viewing panel that was my last tank but maintenance and aquascaping along with lighting was a real PITA. I think if any part of the hobby becomes a chore, then eventually it stops being fun. Other than that, your drawings look pretty good IMO.

I've put a lot of thought into that as well and talked to a lot of local reefers about it also but I am kinda being hard headed on the height. I know it would be harder to aquascape and attach frags but really that is only a small part of the hobby and once I aquascape I'm done, hopefully. As far as lighting I am going with a SCE friendly tank so I was going with LEDs, I am not a SPS fan so this will be a softy/LPS tank, ,my wife likes coral that sways.

 

[Tangwich]

oh in that case...carry on...sounds like it's going to be a sweet setup with lots of swimming space for your tank inhabitants..your fish are going to love this tank.

 

[RuffReef]

oh in that case...carry on...sounds like it's going to be a sweet setup with lots of swimming space for your tank inhabitants..your fish are going to love this tank.

Hopefully, wish we could go longer but that would require a lot more construction and we are already taking out a wall.

 

[johnwin84]

Hey john why not got 32 high and wide and maybe instead of a powerhead..what about a wave box..if you are local to the ie come out to a local ie meeting and talk to tim

 

[RuffReef]

Hey john why not got 32 high and wide and maybe instead of a powerhead..what about a wave box..if you are local to the ie come out to a local ie meeting and talk to tim

I would love a wave box but I was not sure how it would act with a side overflow.

 

[coral diver]

here is a larger version os your design

By coraldiver at 2011-07-23

By coraldiver at 2011-07-23

 

[coral diver]

and that is one of my account too

 

[RuffReef]

How did you get the returns above the water? Do you have more pictures you can share of the plumbing and setup? How is the water flow? What size return would you suggest?

 

[bigdogcross67]

I had a 180 set up in the wall. It was set up just like your drawing.
It was a pain to clean but it was way worth it. Wish I could of have done it with my 300 but this house is not laid out for it.
Good Luck with it.

 

[GoReef165]

I've put a lot of thought into that as well and talked to a lot of local reefers about it also but I am kinda being hard headed on the height. I know it would be harder to aquascape and attach frags but really that is only a small part of the hobby and once I aquascape I'm done, hopefully. As far as lighting I am going with a SCE friendly tank so I was going with LEDs, I am not a SPS fan so this will be a softy/LPS tank, ,my wife likes coral that sways.

If you're new to the hobby then you should consider what has been said about the issues with such a tall tank...IMO. Trust me, after you do the initial aqua scape you WILL constantly be back into the tank. Every true reefer is. It's the nature of this hobby. You've been warned :noidea:

I'm not trying to be a jerk or bum you out but it's the truth.

Good luck with your build...very exciting.

 

[Bonsainut]

If possible, locate your returns above the water. Otherwise make sure you have a couple of DEPENDABLE check valves. I've had a return drilled through the bottom of the tank so I could walk 306 degrees around the tank - and if I did it over again I would figure a way to the the return come in from above.

 

[RuffReef]

Tank may be off or on hold for now, started tearing out the wall and we found out it is retaining.... Have someone coming to see what we can do to solve the issue.

 

[RuffReef]

Wall was load bearing, we had a structural engineer come out and he is drawing up plans. Contractor said he will be back Monday to finish the job.