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found my new tank

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Rookie..., May 17, 2013.

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  1. May 17, 2013 #1
    Rookie... Iowa City

    Rookie...

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    So after much debating I have finally decided to take my chances with ordering from GlassCages. I have read the reviews and gotten many quotes fro different companies. I am hoping by having it delivered to my house with a liftgate truck(not in a residential area of town) that i will minimize the hassels of meeting up in a parking lot. I ordered a 48x48x31 310 gallon aquarium with black silicone, starphire on 3 sides and 1 overflow on the middle of the back side. I also ordered a 24inch high cabinet and canopy. I am very nervous and excited. I need to learn more about closed loop, I am hoping you guys can help me with deciding if i need a closed loop to get adequet water flow. I really hate the look of cords in my tank and 3 sides of this tank will be visable. The tank will set up next to a two foot wide room dividing wall and will look like a square pillar between my kitchen and livingroom, so one foot on each side of the back of the tank will also be visable. I also will have it positioned over a cement foundation wall and will be able to brace the floor appropriately this time with no issues of my salon looking all "jacked up" because it will be over a spare room that will now be my fish room. I am really looking forward to not having to carry all that water up my stairs to do water changes and top offs/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif I would love if anyone could post pics of how you have your sump and/or fish rooms set up. I will post pictures as soon as i get it.
     
  2. May 17, 2013 #2
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    So the footprint of the tank is 4ft x 4ft? If so that is awesome. Cube tanks are sweet, and that is a hell of a cube. What thickness is the glass? Are they drilling it for closed loop, or is there the option of having them do so if you decide? While you can certainly do it yourself, having them do it puts the liability on them if there is a breakage.


    What all are you wanting to know about closed loop? Think of them like a jacuzzi in your bath. Water is taken in at one, or several locations within the tank, and pumped out several other places. It can be a very good option to add flow to a tank. And with a tank set-up as you are planning it would be something to definitely consider to get flow from several directions. Drill the bottom for several returns and hide them within your aquascape. You can use something like an oceans motions device that will alternate what return(s) the water is exiting.

    [​IMG]

    For other flow options some vortechs ( no cords in the water) , or tunzes, and maybe a couple waveboxes on each side of the overflow setup to push a wave front to back would be one way to go.



    Check out this thread for some inspiration for your build.

    http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...?t=2166261
     
  3. May 17, 2013 #3
    Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

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    Wow, anxious to see that tank. Very cool
     
  4. May 17, 2013 #4
    Roman Cedar Rapids, IA

    Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,277
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    Sounds very nice. Can't wait to see it.
     
  5. May 17, 2013 #5
    Big John

    Big John Inactive User

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    Is that picture a tank of yours David?
     
  6. May 17, 2013 #6
    Big John

    Big John Inactive User

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    Rookie you will have to keep us updated------I'd love to see that set up!
     
  7. May 17, 2013 #7
    Rookie... Iowa City

    Rookie...

    141
    Iowa City
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    Thanks for the link! I am going to look into the false rocks like he did[​IMG] can't wait! I think the tank is 3/4 Starphire. We talked so much, I think this tank is the one with 3/4, I will have to double check and I do have the option of drilling more holes, I just didn't know how many or where they should be located and didn't want to get it wrong. The foot print will be 4x4 and 31 1/2" tall. But pretty much all sides will show except 2 feet on the back side so I also didn't know if I could do all holes on the bottom for a closed loop because I don't want pipes showing either. Thanks for the link, I also will need to be setting up a new sump system. There is so much info. I love pics
     
  8. May 17, 2013 #8
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    nope, just grabbed a picture of a closed loop off google.



     
  9. May 17, 2013 #9
    ruggerkc North Liberty , IA

    ruggerkc Experienced Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Is it ordered?
     
  10. May 17, 2013 #10
    Rookie... Iowa City

    Rookie...

    141
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    Yep;)
     
  11. May 17, 2013 #11
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
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    Closed loop is the bane of my existence right now. Cool idea, if you can get it to work. On my new tank that reality is pending.
     
  12. May 17, 2013 #12
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    I would definitional do a closed loop in a tank that size. You will have to have a ton of power heads to move enough water in a tank that size. You can have your holes put in the back and bottom however you want.

    When you plumb it, make sure there is a valve at each bulk head. That way you can close them off when you need to service the pump. Make sure you use schedule 80 valves. Also you can open and close them randomly to change the flow pattern in the tank.
     
  13. May 17, 2013 #13
    bobsfish

    bobsfish Experienced Reefkeeper

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    ok, well if you're graduating to a 4 foot cube tank, then I think you're also ready to graduate to a different name other than "Rookie" lol
     
  14. May 18, 2013 #14
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    Do not order from glass cages. You will not be happy. I recently purchased from them and their build quality sucks plain and simple.

    Look into Great Lakes aquariums. They built all our tanks for the store and do fantastic work for the same if not less money, although shipping is more.
     
  15. May 18, 2013 #15
    Roman Cedar Rapids, IA

    Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I have had two of their tanks with no issues. at all. the biggest problem I had is trying to meet up with their truck as it comes by Iowa
     
  16. May 18, 2013 #16
    ruggerkc North Liberty , IA

    ruggerkc Experienced Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Does anyone know about the DC pumps for a closed loop? They seem like the way to go. Controllable and low wattage. How expensive are they?
     
  17. May 18, 2013 #17
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    I just bought a speedwave dc pump for the return on my new tank. Haven't been able to use it much yet, but its very cool. Only $159 for 1500gph.
     
  18. May 18, 2013 #18
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
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    Also, I learned that the pumps that reef octopus and others are all the same pump made in China. The reef octo pump is way more expensive for red plastic.
     
  19. May 18, 2013 #19
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    Glass thickness is the other issue I had with them. They used 1/2 glass on my rimless so it has a green tint to it. They could of easily used 1/4 in glass and it would of looked much nicer and clear.

    Using 3/4 inch glass is going to make this tank very heavy and you may not get the clarity you want even with straphire.
    Just be careful using these guys, they have a BBB rating of F for a reason, and I pray you didn't get a stand from them.
     
  20. May 18, 2013 #20
    Roman Cedar Rapids, IA

    Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,277
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    I would agree that their stands are very generic. wasn't happy with first tank stand and would not ever order one of those again. My starfire glass is 1/2 inch thick and is clear without any green tint to it.Looks great. I think their overflows could be smaller other than that I have no issues with my tanks I have received from them.
     
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