Need Suggestions for new biuild

[Manoj's Reef]

Reefers,

I am banking on your advice on a new build that will soon start.

The configuration is as follows:

36 inch *36 inch foot print. The height will be 22 inches.

The tank will be rimless with 4 sides viewable reef.

I need advice on the stand and light.

My thougth was the get a wood stand from great lakes aquarium, but I want adivice if thats the right way to proceed or should I look at metal stand. Also how easy would it be to level a wood stand vs metal stand.

Also I need advice on lighting, I would like SPS and LPS , so I am thinking a 36 inch 6 bulb fixture.

Below are my past reef tanks. I am hoping to improve on the new setup.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procgtaserv/47b9d707b3127cce98548eba37ec00000035100AcMWTRm4Ysm Ig


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procgtaserv/47a0df03b3127cce98548f2aa34100000035100AcMWTRm4Ysm Ig


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procgtaserv/47a1d610b3127cce98548388ea8d00000035100AcMWTRm4Ysm Ig

[FlynnFish]

I think whatever you make the stand out of it will be the same to level it.
I have a wood stand for my display. I have to restain it every few months from the saltwater dripping on it from getting in the tank. I've had a small frag tank with a stainless steel trimmed stand. I had to buff off the rust that crept up on it once in a great while. I have an acrylic tank for my breeder system with an acrylic stand and it so easy to clean off.
As far as lights, I'm hooked on leds. On tanks 24" depth and under, leds penetrate the water just as much as metal halides, and with my experience have a higher par rating. I had two 250 Watt metal halides plus 2 five foot T5's( don't remember wattage ) on my 180g (6'x2'x2') after putting on 4 AI SOL Blues, we had to turn the leds down to 50% to match Parr levels. I've had leds on that tank for 4 years and have great coloration and growth from the corals and fish. Plus leds last longer and are cheaper to run. ☺

[MizTanks]

Check out ReefRadience.com for their LED's great lights at an even greater price. I bought the LumenTek Pro 180 for my 40b. They have all the bells & whistles. Like dawn to dusk, digital timer, remote control, 1 power cord plus you can customize colors.
They're getting great reviews on R2R via a couple different threads.

As for a stand. I picked this one up from Dr F&S for $119 free shipping. It has a very unique finish, no internal shelf which left me plenty room for a 20L sump.
9196

[binford4000]

Manoj,you will love the 36" deep tank. You can do so much with it. I agree with Flynnfish .AI all the way dude !!! Ya get what you pay for in my book. Give me a call or swing by and check out what we did. Ya know the #. :oldman:

[dlhirst]

Chuck's tank is well worth the look see!

I like the look of a wood stand - especially if you are going for an "island" tank visible on all four sides. To make it universally accessible, try using Magnetic Catch Latches for all four wall panels - instead of hinges. I used them in my home behind a built in home theater rack. They work great - holding up 3/4" thick MDF panels 6 feet tall and 2 feet wide - and I wish I had them on my aquarium stand. My finish carpenter bought mine at a local hardware store - but these look similar:

02 - Magnetic Catch Latches - Southco (http://www.southco.com/en-us/02?hid=7318&q=magnet%20latch)

Just make sure that the resulting corner posts are sturdy enough to hold all that water and rock. I am no engineer, but I am guessing the sidewalls will often add strength to the support system.

[Manoj's Reef]

Great advice guys now I need advice on the flow.

I will be setting up a 3ft*3ft*2ft tank and need advice on the placement power heads. I plan to use vortech's .

The corals will be , Z and P , LPS ( Acans and Blasto , Euphiliyas ) , SPS

So please let me know

1. should I use mp10's or mp40's
2. Where should I place the power heads and how many will I need.

[binford4000]

MP 40's the tens are just not strong enough for a tank that size.You should only need two. Our present tank is a foot longer then your planed tank and only need to run them at 50%. Placement will depend on your rock scape honestly

[MizTanks]

You could also try the WP's :) I just got a WP10'and this power head puts out some serious flow, with very simple control for a 1/4 of what the MP's cost.

[Manoj's Reef]

You could also try the WP's :) I just got a WP10'and this power head puts out some serious flow, with very simple control for a 1/4 of what the MP's cost.

I am hearing good things about wp's . Its good that there is a good bunch of options out there. I am looking for something that has a good overtow and undertow to take care of the dead spots.

[Manoj's Reef]

Checked the tank building progress today. Seems like its coming along well.

https://im1.shutterfly.com/procgtaserv/47a4db34b3127cce985486f999eb00000035100AcMWTRm4Ysm Ig

[MizTanks]

Love the black seal :)

[Manoj's Reef]

Finally after 1.5yrs getting the opportunity to set up the tank you see in the above post. The approach will be to start cycling the sump and get that going. This will give me sometime to get the rock work decided.

Any ideas ???

[MizTanks]

Bout time!! I'm partial to the minimalist look myself. I like islands too. Very happy to see you going again [emoji2][emoji847]

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Is the plan to have four side viewing still? If so, I vote for a single rock structure slightly off center.

Tom

[Manoj's Reef]

Bout time!! I'm partial to the minimalist look myself. I like islands too. Very happy to see you going again [emoji2][emoji847]

Jamie, thanks. some times I know what I want and sometimes I feel my ideas are not the best lol :)


Is the plan to have four side viewing still? If so, I vote for a single rock structure slightly off center.

Tom

Tom, yeah the objective is to maintain 4 size viewing. Tom the tank is 22 inch high. How high would you recommend the structure be? Also by off center would you have some example pics from other peoples tanks that you can share?