Ordering tank from IA. Suggestions?

[Ilia]

I'm finally going to get my dream tank. I have decided on a size, 36"x28 or 30"x20". The tank will be ordered from IA. What do all of you suggest I request?

Ilia

[Reefland]

Congratulations Ilia!

Well first and foremost don't order a custom tank until you know exactly what you want and where you want it and just when you think you've got it all planned out, think about it again just to be safe.

To start out, read thiks thread:
Pics of Ninong's Starphire Glass Tank from Canada, eh!

I would make sure I added some holes for a closed loop and definately done the planning on the internal overflow and what kind of volume I wanted to flow through it. Also consider the bracing and how that may affect you adding sea swirls or other equipment that needs to attach to the top rim of the tank.

There are lots of things to consider here, way too many to list in my one little reply. Tell us about some of the things you are planning on and we'll go from there.

Scott Z.

[Ilia]

I don't really know what I want. I'm open for suggestions.

Ilia

[Reefland]

Ok, let's try this.

What are your space limitations? What equipment do you have now that you would like to use on the new tank and what equipment do you have in mind for new purcahses? What kind of corals do you wish to grow? What do you plan to do for a stand and canopy? What kind of budget are we working with?

Regards,
Scott Z.

[Ilia]

Space is not really a problem. All that I have that I could use is a ES5-2 skimmer from euroreef. I also have 1 250w and 2 55w actinics in a 36" hood. This tank will be an sps/clam. I will build the stand and canopy myself. The budget for equipment only is $1,000, I hope .

Ilia

[Ilia]

This might sound like I don't know what I want, but here it goes anyway. As most of you know I had a 46g bow before I bought the 40g. With the 46g my problem was that I had too many micro bubbles getting into the tank from the refugium. That is part of the reason why I got rid of the 46g.

I sold the sump, overflow, Sen900, LR, heater and my ph's. I kept the tank, stand, skimmer, lighting and most of my critters. Today I was thinking about what I was going to do. I pulled out my refugium and cleaned it out. Went to Home Depot and bought a whole bunch of pvc. I made a device that will return water from the refugium made into an above the tank sump without producing micro bubbles.

Now I have a great looking tank. The only problem is that I sold my LR, this is almost a good thing because now I get to order some gorgeous LR from Darren at Palmetto. Sorry for rambling on about this but this is probably the first time that something great happened to my reef in about 6 months.

Ilia

[Reefland]

Hi Ilia!

That is great news, very glad to hear that you got things working out! Does this mean your going to focus on this tank and not bother with a new one at this time?

Scott Z.

[Ilia]

My mom and I talked and she said that if I start a new tank now she will donate $1,000 wich will be $1,750 with my money. The other preposition she had was that if I start a new tank once they finish the basement I will get $2,000-$3,000 .

Ilia

[Reefland]

Sounds like you should wait then! LOL

[zhenya]

My mom and I talked and she said that if I start a new tank now she will donate $1,000 wich will be $1,750 with my money. The other preposition she had was that if I start a new tank once they finish the basement I will get $2,000-$3,000 .

Ilia

Hi Ilia

I would listen to your Mom amd Dad and wait ;) They are great guys and I know they'll help you out once the basement is complete.
I'm glad that you got that 40 going-it should be a nice set up for awhile and will hold you over untill that time when you can get a bigger tank with BIGGER budget.
Give me a call sometime