Possible New Tank Purchase - Your Thoughts

mav469 · Sep 10, 2013 4:54:41 pm

As the title says, i am looking at buying this tank off Ebay and was wondering what you're thoughts are. i quite like the fact it has a small footprint but will still allow alot of swimming space. would want to house a couple of tangs in this little number. probably a regal, yellow powder blue, kole. See what i can get away with.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stunning-Marine-aquarium-tank/181213559402?_trksid=p2050601.m2451&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D266%26meid%3D1191532519889228423%26pid%3D100103%26prg%3D1141%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D181213559402%26clkid%3D1191534219149709110&_qi=RTM1489587

There is the link. my only concern is how much light i will get on the bottom with my 180 Razor would probably be running on full power. and is there enough swimming space for a regal ?

Ash

mav469 · Sep 10, 2013 5:15:41 pm

just noticed its 3ft wide and not 4ft which for some reason i thought it was 4ft. would limit my stocking possibilities too much for my liking i think

Mike · Sep 10, 2013 7:59:37 pm

Hi, Ash.

It's a lovely tank, but as you've noticed doesn't come without it's downsides, light penetration, "gliding space" (for Tangs), and being that deep you're not going to be able to reach the bottom of it.

The 160W razor won't have a problem punching down to the bottom of it, my tank is 2 foot high, and with 100% blue 75% white it's still a bit too bright down the bottom. I'm going to reduce it further.

The reaching to the bottom thing will really be an issue, once you've reached over the edge of the plinth, your fingertips will still be 4 inches from the bottom, even with pretty long arms... Picking and moving corals with grabby arm things can damage them too...

mav469 · Sep 10, 2013 9:39:32 pm

I have just sized my front room and like T-Bone i want a 5 ft tank but x 2ft and x 26inch. not sure if i want the 26" in height or depth yet. I am also going to make the cabinet myself. just considering options at the moment with either taking ages (and spending some cash) and using real oak or whether to use some PSA backed veneer / laminate on something like MDF. i can use a fabrication company through work and get a stainless steel frame made to take the weight (for free i would like to think) and would just build the woodwork around the outside for look.

Early stages. But i am definitely going to get what i want and not what i can find. just might not be for another 12/24 months.

In the meantime i am looking for a holding tank and i think i will sump my 180l Juwel.

So much i want to do but time and money as always being the issue. (more time than money at the moment but i don't want to just pay for it all to be done by someone else as that will be part of the fun)

Mike · Sep 10, 2013 11:40:57 pm

Don't forget real oak is ok for doors, etc, but if you go for real wood for the structure, it'll need to be treated/lacquered.

All the tank builders build their cabinets out of chipboard with plastic veneer covering, but again, whenever you drill a hole through to put pipes, plugs, etc, the exposed "biscuit" will absorb water and swell, so I always smear silicone into the edges of any exposed chipboard after cutting a hole, etc...

T-Bone Tyrone · Sep 17, 2013 10:02:00 pm

Didn't even see this thread till now!
Ash, I bought a whole setup from AC Aquatics in the end.
I checked out making my own stand as I work for a fabrication company, 50x50 box section would be more than adequate for a frame, I'd planned to use high gloss doors from B&Q.
But it was just easier to buy a whole set up.

mav469 · Sep 17, 2013 10:53:45 pm

i have found the same,

i'm saving my pocket money at the moment. i need to get £2500 together... can't come soon enough !!!

T-Bone Tyrone · Sep 18, 2013 10:20:13 am

When I saw you type that figure I thought I haven't spent that much....... have I?
It's not far off.

T-Bone Tyrone · Sep 18, 2013 10:20:46 am

Is it a case of you want a brand new tank?

Mike · Sep 18, 2013 10:50:30 am

What's costing £2500? Not the tank surely? Mine when I priced it up was a grand, and a 6x2x2 not much more... Is that including lighting, equipment etc?

T-Bone Tyrone · Sep 18, 2013 11:10:34 am

The tank stand hood sump plumbing vinyl backing and delivery is £917.
Lights about 400
Skimmer bargin @ 180 for a new ap600
Additional plumbing say 50
Salt 50 ish
RO?
Additional heaters
Electric sockets and wires
Cooling fans 50 all in
STC1000 18 still need to get some wire.
LR at least another 20kg 120
Sand?
Putty and rods maybe?

T-Bone Tyrone · Sep 18, 2013 11:11:28 am

Ok so less than 2k at the mo.

mav469 · Sep 18, 2013 9:26:36 pm

That is complete set up with what i have already. The list is as follows.

Tank: - £450
Cabinet: - £450
Sump:- £165
Skimmer :- £420
Return Pump :- £100
Piping: - £50
Electronics (sockets etc): - £30
Another Maxspect Razor: - £400
2 x Tubs of salt: - £110
35 - 40kg of Live rock: - £250
2 x jebao power heads :- £160

total £2585 but i am sure i can get some bits a little cheaper so i want £2500

I haven't added other bits i "want" yet either as this will be even more cash. (reactors, dosing pump, MP40 Power Heads.)

luckily i already have one light and some live rock (about 20kg worth). also i would be happy to wait a bit longer to get the stock in and will take my time with that. just want to do everything right first time. The little Juwel tank i have now was to learn and make any mistakes before i chuck loads of cash in.

Cant wait....

T-Bone Tyrone · Sep 18, 2013 9:49:17 pm

Not too sure about the jaebos. Have heard good things, but fail to see how they could be very quiet when there isn't any damping. Like the brackets on the tunze with the blue shocks.
Are the jaebos the same diameter as tge tunze?

HK_Fuey · Sep 18, 2013 9:57:46 pm

There is dampening. Between the magnet on the inside of the tank and the glass is a rubber mat, and dampers between the magnet and the bracket:

Possible New Tank Purchase - Your Thoughts

Possible New Tank Purchase - Your Thoughts

Possible New Tank Purchase - Your Thoughts

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