Rocketman's 370g 5'x5' Square Build

Discussion in 'Show Off Your Fish Tanks!' started by rocketmandb, Jun 17, 2013.

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  1. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Awesome. Anything else you have figured out?
     
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  3. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    There's not a whole lot more major to think about as I'll be recycling most of my existing equipment.

    - Remote sump (as is my way :))
    - I've got 5 AI Sol Blues, will likely add in one more to have a bank of six over the central part of the tank
    - Same Bubbleking skimmer
    - Same sump
    - Same fuge
    - etc.

    This is more about the design and where to put it in the house than anything else.
     
  4. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    So it's official, I am indeed going 5'x5' - likely 24" tall.

    Now the big question - should I go rimless or euro-braced?

    And I already know what you all are going to tell me so I don't know why I'm asking it here. It's sort of like an alcoholic "Should I buy the 18 year single malt or Mad Dog 20/20?" ;D

    The issue is cost. The rimless tank has to be made out of 3/4" glass which is about twice as expensive. Starfire on the three visible sides at 3/4" and regular glass on the bottom and back would be more than $2k for the glass alone. Ouch.
     
  5. FaceOfDeceit

    FaceOfDeceit Hockey Beard

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    I've seen some really nice looking Eurobraced tanks. If it is getting built by who I'm assuming you're going to go with, it will be stunning.
     
  6. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    I dont think a eurobrace is that much of a detraction from beauty.
     
  7. stylaster

    stylaster Gigas Clam

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    you will have to go eurobrace tank is to large to go rimless. If made of acrylic you will need to go 3/4" or better yet 1" and have atleast one cross brace. An acrylic tank that size is going to run you close to 5k
     
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  9. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    I can't wait to see this :)
     
  10. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    My current tanks are acrylic. I had a rule before getting into this system of no acrylic reef tanks. I broke it to get rounded ends and I am sorry I did. Never again will I do an acrylic reef :)

    Also, I've been communicating with the engineer and he said that I could go 3/4" and go rimless.

    It is who you're thinking of :)

    I'm actually quite surprised to see the support for a euro-brace vs. rimless. I would have thought the opposite. I will get them to price both. My guess is that it will be $3k for the euro-brace and $4.5k for the rimless.
     
  11. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    I like jumpy fish and a rimless tank with a top sounds silly. the $1.5k difference can by me one or two fish.
     
  12. Marshall O

    Marshall O Giant Squid

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    Those are my thoughts, well maybe not quite as scrambled ;) But if you are going to put any kind of a top on to keep fish in the tank, then it is a no brainer.
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2013