My tank is 30x30x30 5/8' thick glass (120 gal). I'd like to put a glass top on it to filter the U/V from the lighting, but a 30x30 sheet is expensive to have made. (I have a retrofit lighting set-up of 2 250w 10K bulbs, the traditional tube lights, fans, balasts, etc). I'll be using a 30 gal., 3 chamber sump consisting of intake/skimmer, refugium, then pumped up to tank.
Questions:
1) Does anybody have a suggestion for, or pictures of, an existing set-up where the halides are covered by glass (either each bulb protected separately or one-piece glass top)? I'm trying to avoid water-splashing-glass-breaking-finger cutting-cursing because I cut my finger-problems. 30x30 sheets of tempured glass for a glass-top are expensive, so another solution would be great.
2) I have a 3/4hp chiller with the drop-in chilling coil. I'd like to put the motor under the tank. I would, of course, build in a separate compartment with an intake & exhause SEPARATE from the sump/refugium to avoid unnecessary heating of the sump-water. Would this idea be OK since I would separate the compartment, or would having the motor outside of the stand be necessary no matter what? Maybe some suggestions on where you put your chiller-motor in regards to your tank.
3) Can balasts be placed under the tank in a closed stand? Or should they be left outside the stand for proper cooling/air-flow (I have huge 5" holes drilled in the back panels of the stand for air ventaliation. I can also build in a separate compartment w/ intake/exhause similar to the chiller-motor).
ANY other suggestions would be great. I'm at the beginning of the build, have NOT done plumbing yet, so any suggestions helpful to avoid any headaches down the road would be appreciated.
This tank is going to be a fun beast....a 3/4 ton cube of ocean in my living room. How fun is that!!!
cubereefer