MMcDonald 285 gallon Plywood Build Thread

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by NASAGeek, Feb 16, 2010.

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Maximum Water Depth (Surface to Sand)

  1. 15-17"

    1.8%
  2. 18-20"

    5.5%
  3. 21-23"

    7.3%
  4. 24-26"

    32.7%
  5. 27-29"

    25.5%
  6. 30-32"

    18.2%
  7. 33-35"

    9.1%
  1. NASAGeek

    NASAGeek Eyelash Blennie

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    I am designing a roughly 250-300 gallon tank. Plywood build.

    Footprint will be 84" x 24". The question is how deep??

    Lets assume you do not count sand depth in the depth of the tank.

    Lets also assume MH lights 6" above water surface.

    What is the maximum depth of the aquarium to still have adequate lighting??

    24" = 209gal
    30" = 262gal
    36" = 314gal

    I was thinking 36" tank depth and 6" of sand for DSB for 30" of maximum lighting depth. Too deep, just right or could go deeper?? What do you think?

    Your thoughts???

    Mark
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2010
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  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    If you are doing MH you could do the 36" and use 400W bulbs. Might be able to do 250W if you are careful in your placement.
     
  4. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    IMO, 30" of water depth is easily in the range of 400 Watt MHs. 250 is going less demanding at the bottom.

    My dream is to do a 36x36. I love deep water tanks. They allow so much room for long term growth. Much more lifelike IMO. Not to mention, the fish swim over the reef, not in front of it. Much better.

    I am definitely looking forward to this build.
     
  5. Night-Rida

    Night-Rida Finback Whale

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    if you build it, they will come. :)

    go deep, not cheap! get a 400MH
     
  6. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    Could always go stupid. 7Ft deep. 1000Watts of glory.;D
     
  7. Siddique

    Siddique Dragon Wrasse

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    I personally like a 24" deep only because it's easy to get to the bottom of the tank.
    Ideally, my dream tank is the largest one i can get.
     
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  9. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Wilmington, DE
    I don't like deep tanks, too hard to reach corals, place corals clean etc. Some people do like them. I would not go deeper then 30" just for aesthetics and practicality, and I would definitely use 400w mh.
     
  10. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    Also, I would go with nothing other than Lumen Brights on this tank. That will allow you to use less lights and go deeper. They aren't cheap, but they are well worth it.
     
  11. NASAGeek

    NASAGeek Eyelash Blennie

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    Based on this, my original plan of 36" tank depth and 6" of sand for DSB and 30" of water depth is probably about right. With that, I'd do 4x400W MH with Lumens Bright reflectors.

    Sound good?

    M

    PS -- On the 6" DSB, I plan on only 2" of it showing asthetically and 4" hidden behind the plywood and effectively built into the cabinet. The overall plan is to have the tank somewhat integrated with the cabinet. I'll explain that separately.
     
  12. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

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    i completely second that!!! spend a little extra on the reflector and get a LOT back outta your tank and your bulbs ;)