Prospective 110g 48" x 30" x 19" build thread.. Need feedback!

[grapplerhayes]

Whats up SCreefers--

Took a trip over to Ali's Amazing Aquariums in Orange and fell in love with the dimensions of their 48l x 30w x 19h clear silicone starphire rimless tank. Over the past year or so I always wanted to start up a build thread. I am about a month or so away from the funds for this setup but I want some feedback on my brainstorming. After a ton of online and in store research here's what I'm thinking--

48l x 30w x 19t 3 sided starfire rimless tank with clear silicone (hopefully can find a used one, although probably pretty unlikely)

-36" or 48" tall Gloss white stand. I am a tall guy so doing work in the tank with a stand that high shouldnt be a problem. Also want a hidden left drawer opening for electronics access.
-2 Kessil a350w with goosenecks OR 2 AI vega color's hung from ceiling (not sure if 2 would be enough spread)
-Aquamaxx Cone Skimmer which Ali really recommends OR Used Vertex Alpha Cone skimmer w/ Red Dragon Pump (known to be one of the best skimmers out)
-Eheim 1262 Return
-2 ecotech mp40wes OR 2 tunze 6105's
-DIY 40g Glass Sump with Top-off reservoir
-Dual BRS GFO And Carbon Reactor w/ MJ1200s
-BRS 2 part Doser Kit
-Digital Aquatics Lifeguard System
-Tunze ATO (already own one, laser eye is clutch!)
-Hanna Phos, Alk, Cal Checkers

I have a general idea on what livestock I want in the tank, however I am not 100% sure these fish are compatible with eachother and the nem's I want. I think the colors in this tank from fish and nems would look unreal. Also, this tank will be rimless so I am not sure if some of these guys are known jumpers. Feedback here from past experiences would be greatly appreciated--

Prospective Livestock:
-hand picked LR for 3 separate islands
-Cinnamon/Skunk clownfish pair
-Fancy Clownfish Pair
-Blue girdled/majestic angelfish
-Dwarf Flame angel
-Purple tang
-Blue hippo tang
-Mappa Puffer (not sure if it would be compatible, but had one in my FOWLR tank and he was awesome)
-9 blue reef chromis
-Magnificent foxface
-Blue or purple Carpet anemone
-Rainbow BTA nem island!! I have heard that keeping these guys isolated on an island with sand around it minimizes them moving from their rocks to around the tank. Truth??

That totals 19 fish with multiple anemones. Too much livestock with 160g of water? Lemme know what you guys think about all of this.

Thanks!!

 

[Justin]

Sounds like a great set up. How much is he charging you for that tank?

Also, you might want to consider getting two separate BRS reactors as GFO and carbon have different flow rates. I think 19 fish is a lot for your tank, especially that puffer. If you are getting the majestic angel, you can only have certain types of coral just as well (mainly SPS). You should keep that in mind.

 

[ReefFIZZ]

cant wait to see pictures!

 

[lurking]

Im just curious why you would get the Lifegaurd system rather than an actual controller that can do something for you should the need arise?

Also the BRS dual reactors tend to get clogged easily. You may want to just get the TLF individual ones.

 

[exray]

John check with eddie at CAD lighting. he can hook you up wit a very nice tank.

 

[grapplerhayes]

@ Justin--

Great points. Never ran any reactors before but now that you brought that up, I will definitely be getting two separate ones. I'd like to consider the stocklist more like 10 fish and 9 chromies haha but all the same that is a large bioload. I just like the idea of having a schooling fish in the mix. Not sure if I will be adding any SPS but knowing me I will probably get the itch to

@Lurking--

Only reason I like the idea of having a Lifeguard system is because its easily iphone accessible, and I had a DA Reefkeeper Lite and it just seemed to be more of a hassle than a benefit. I will probably check out the APEX aquacontrollers as well. You're not the only one that has told me that those BRS reactors get clogged (great price, i should have probably guessed there was a catch) so I will definitely look into the TLF reactors like you said.

@exray--

I have sent a couple messages before to Eddie at CAD, however with their pricepoint I feel like it would be better to find a good quality used tank and spend the leftover $$$ on lighting/flow/fish ). The tank at Ali's was a lee-mar but we all know that those don't come cheap either haha.

If any of you guys know ANYONE that is looking to sell their tank with similar specs as to what I am looking for, please lemme know!!

 

[805]

Look forward to pics, love the dimensions. My reef is 48 x 30 x 15 clear silicone 3 side starfire eurobrace! (I found it on CL for 250!, some dude bought it as a stingray tank!)

 

[grapplerhayes]

ahhhhhh im just gonna have to keep looking! there's a 4x2x2 front panel starphire on cl listed at 600 but theres something about having a wider tank for more aquascaping and room to swim.

 

[Justin]

John,

Fish generally don't school in small tanks. I've had a shoal of chromises and they slowly killed each other off or went missing. I wouldn't bother.

 

[grapplerhayes]

Thanks Justin--

I'll just probably go with a few Anthias then

 

[jwebber974]

I just set up the exact same tank as my second tank. Same dimensions and everything. Can't be happier, it looks sweet. Bought the system used from a guy in Irvine.

 

[grapplerhayes]

Jeff--

mind pm'ing me some pics of your sump setup as well as equipment you're going to be using? I am still debating on my lighting as well as skimmer. Right now I am leaning toward holding off until the AI vega color's come out and throwing two on top of this tank, as well as the reef octo extreme xs200 (sicce psk-1000 doesn't have any start-up issues anymore does it??)

 

[evad1]

i have a very close setup to yours 48x24x20 leemar rimless

this is what i currently run

equipment:
100 gallon rimless leemar(48x24x20h)
custom 44" high stand
Advanced acrylic sump(36x20x16 return/skimmer/filter sock area/ato resvoir)
atb flowstar 1500 return pump(turned way down)
atb 840 skimmer w/avast marine auto skimmer neck cleaner
atb gfo reactor
reef fanatic ato(dual float switch)
giesemann infiniti 2x150hqi/4x54w t5
neptune apex jr with wireless adapter(with iphone/laptopcontrol)
2 vortech mp40's(reef turned all the way down)
american dj strip mounted flush in electical box(hides about 85% wiring)
jbj titanium heater
2 tunze cooling fans
bubble magus doser with bm acrylic resvoirs

going thru your list i would go with

-the AI vegas for sure-start with 2 you might need 3
-the vertex cone with red dragon pump for sure
-ehieims good-other options laguna or atb
-2 vortechs
every thing else would be pretty good

keep us posted and post alot of pics of progress

looking forward to seeing your build

 

[jwebber974]

Jeff--

mind pm'ing me some pics of your sump setup as well as equipment you're going to be using? I am still debating on my lighting as well as skimmer. Right now I am leaning toward holding off until the AI vega color's come out and throwing two on top of this tank, as well as the reef octo extreme xs200 (sicce psk-1000 doesn't have any start-up issues anymore does it??)

Hey John,

I will try to get some pictures tomorrow. I actually have two tanks in the system, the other tank is a 120 gallon leemar eurobraced. They share a 39 gallon, three chamber sump, however, I am in the process of having a new, custom built sump made by Jeff Turcheck over at LifeReef. As far as equipment, I am running two Mag9 return pumps, one of which is plumbed through two reactors (one running carbon and the other running RowaPhos) and a chiller as well as a UV sterilizer. As far as lighting on that tank, I have two Sunlight Supply LumenMax Elite HQI 250w fixtures, running 14000k phoenix bulbs. I still believe that galore lighting grows much better than anything else. On my zoa tank, I have a custom built LED fixture as polyps seem to pefer the LED lights. Everything is controlled by a neptune Apex Jr. Controller. I also grow phytoplankton and rotifers and those systems are controlled by it as well. As far as skimmers, I also run an octopus extreme and I am very happy with it and it never has startup issues for me. I feed sometimes three times a day.

 

[grapplerhayes]

Dave--

You sparked my idea for including a DJ powerstrip. Checked out an article on advancedaquarist and it seems like something worth throwing in there.

On another note... Anyone else running a waterblaster hy5000 for a return and think it is better than the eheim 1262? Almost the same price but the hy5000 puts out a little more flow and it comes with a better warranty (however much less track record). Opinions?

 

[evad1]

oh yeah sick avatar
hendo dropping a bomb
i remember that fight.....

 

[NVTE]

Whats up SCreefers--

Took a trip over to Ali's Amazing Aquariums in Orange and fell in love with the dimensions of their 48l x 30w x 19h clear silicone starphire rimless tank. Over the past year or so I always wanted to start up a build thread. I am about a month or so away from the funds for this setup but I want some feedback on my brainstorming. After a ton of online and in store research here's what I'm thinking--

48l x 30w x 19t 3 sided starfire rimless tank with clear silicone (hopefully can find a used one, although probably pretty unlikely)

-36" or 48" tall Gloss white stand. I am a tall guy so doing work in the tank with a stand that high shouldnt be a problem. Also want a hidden left drawer opening for electronics access.
-2 Kessil a350w with goosenecks OR 2 AI vega color's hung from ceiling (not sure if 2 would be enough spread)
-Aquamaxx Cone Skimmer which Ali really recommends OR Used Vertex Alpha Cone skimmer w/ Red Dragon Pump (known to be one of the best skimmers out)
-Eheim 1262 Return
-2 ecotech mp40wes OR 2 tunze 6105's
-DIY 40g Glass Sump with Top-off reservoir
-Dual BRS GFO And Carbon Reactor w/ MJ1200s
-BRS 2 part Doser Kit
-Digital Aquatics Lifeguard System
-Tunze ATO (already own one, laser eye is clutch!)
-Hanna Phos, Alk, Cal Checkers

I have a general idea on what livestock I want in the tank, however I am not 100% sure these fish are compatible with eachother and the nem's I want. I think the colors in this tank from fish and nems would look unreal. Also, this tank will be rimless so I am not sure if some of these guys are known jumpers. Feedback here from past experiences would be greatly appreciated--

Prospective Livestock:
-hand picked LR for 3 separate islands
-Cinnamon/Skunk clownfish pair
-Fancy Clownfish Pair
-Blue girdled/majestic angelfish
-Dwarf Flame angel
-Purple tang
-Blue hippo tang
-Mappa Puffer (not sure if it would be compatible, but had one in my FOWLR tank and he was awesome)
-9 blue reef chromis
-Magnificent foxface
-Blue or purple Carpet anemone
-Rainbow BTA nem island!! I have heard that keeping these guys isolated on an island with sand around it minimizes them moving from their rocks to around the tank. Truth??

That totals 19 fish with multiple anemones. Too much livestock with 160g of water? Lemme know what you guys think about all of this.

Thanks!!

Nice, I have almost same dimension tank as your.
start with the livestock. I think it is the Mappa Puffer is not compatible due to eating habit and may eat your Clownfish and Chromis.

With that much fish, having the Blue Carpet (assume not Maxi Mini carpet Anenome) like have a fish trap in the tank everyday. One of your fish might become their seafood.
The Rainbow BTA tend to move whether isolated or not, they move to find their perfect spots in tank and settle down.

About the equipment.
I recommend building the stand's height is your eye level so you don't have to bend down to look at your tank, and it will give more room for you to work in the sump.
I do believe in bigger skimmer to skim out dirty stuffs, so recommend the skimmer rate is 3 time of your tank size.
What kind of corals you plan to keep?
just my 2 cents.

 

[grapplerhayes]

NVTE--

As I keep researching and figuring out what I want I change up my ideas on fish constantly haha. Right now I have kind of set myself more on this:

Clownfish Pair
Red Sea Regal Angel
Dwarf Flame angel
Purple tang
Chevron Tang
Blue hippo tang
5 Baggai Cardinals
Bartletts Anthias
Magnificent Foxface
May throw in my flame hawk from my nano since he's the coolest fish I think I have ever owned.

Hopefully these fish are manageable with a carpet nem (not a maxi mini, however I will probably get a couple of those as well)

As for the stand, I am looking at between 44-48" high. Eye level for a tank at my height (6-4) is pretty much never going to happen haha.

I will be moving alot of my mushroom rocks over to the new tank once it has established, and I will be having a ricordea garden for sure. As for SPS and LPS, time will tell! I most likely will be getting rid of my 3 open brain corals, paly's and zoas, along with my acans because chances are they will be picked at by the two angels that I want, however I think that some of my other lps (couple blasto's, scolys, and a chalice) might be ok in there eventually. I am in no rush to put these in there because I really dont want to break down my nano.

 

[NVTE]

NVTE--

As I keep researching and figuring out what I want I change up my ideas on fish constantly haha. Right now I have kind of set myself more on this:

Clownfish Pair
Red Sea Regal Angel
Dwarf Flame angel
Purple tang
Chevron Tang
Blue hippo tang
5 Baggai Cardinals
Bartletts Anthias
Magnificent Foxface
May throw in my flame hawk from my nano since he's the coolest fish I think I have ever owned.

Hopefully these fish are manageable with a carpet nem (not a maxi mini, however I will probably get a couple of those as well)

As for the stand, I am looking at between 44-48" high. Eye level for a tank at my height (6-4) is pretty much never going to happen haha.

I will be moving alot of my mushroom rocks over to the new tank once it has established, and I will be having a ricordea garden for sure. As for SPS and LPS, time will tell! I most likely will be getting rid of my 3 open brain corals, paly's and zoas, along with my acans because chances are they will be picked at by the two angels that I want, however I think that some of my other lps (couple blasto's, scolys, and a chalice) might be ok in there eventually. I am in no rush to put these in there because I really dont want to break down my nano.

44" tall stand is good enough. I have my tank eye level when I lay in my bed. hahaha.
I don't know about Regal Angel but I have a good luck with Flame Angel. They are easy and reef safe angel to me. I have them with bunch of softies and LPS. none of them picked on anything.