Bigger is Better?

[Ortho Bill]

Two months ago I started my 1st reef tank. Everything is going quite well.
I started with a 37 gal tank. You guessed it. Too small, too many limitations. I hate not having the width and am unable to have a sump due to a center support in the base cabinet. I think I'd like to make the move to a larger tank in 3 or 4 months but in the interim I could be purchasing the required supplies. I have an opportunity to purchase a 58 gal Oceanic tank and have it drilled. I'd sell the tank and the stand. I could keep my 30" wide PC's for this but would have to use the glass cover (can't use the legs) in addition to purchasing a single 96w PC for a total of 226 watts. After rock and a DSB I figure I'll have 4-4 1/2 watts/gallon - good enough I figure for softies/mushrooms. I'm also kicking around the idea of purchasing either a 75 or 72 gallon "reef ready" tank and attempting to sell my lights/tank/stand to purchase new lights (MH ???). I love the looks of the bow tank but I'm not sure of the drawbacks they may present. I know I want to have a sump and I'm intrigued by the use of manifolds. Are there diagrams available that would give you the detailed specs. for such a set up. For instance, I'd begin with what size holes to drill in the tank? Specs. for the plumbing? Optimally, what size return pump? After making the mistake with my initial purchase I don't think my wife would be so understanding the 2nd time around - bless her heart.

Regards, Bill

 

[LFS42]

Every set-up is different,
unfortunatly.

as far as the bowfront, my current reef is in a 72 bowfront
the limitations are mainly the lights
it's hard to find off the shelf fixtures for these tanks

and forget about a canopy unless your handy with tools

for a drain, I drilled (1) 1" bulkhead, and
I should have drilled for 2 bulkheads
the "reef-ready" tanks only have 1 drain
my tank handles 500 gph ok,
I use a mag 5 for a return

good luck

 

[Ortho Bill]

If I'm correct the RR tanks are drilled for a drain and a return. Could you utilize both as drains and have a return run through a manifold over the top. What lights did you end up going with? I saw a canopy that Oceanic makes for $100 on a 72 BF at the LFS.

 

[Reef Guy11]

If you get it get it with the new sqaure overflow box with the teeth. Not the Old one that is a half Circle and teeth on that suck. My tank drove me nuts. That is why I took my old 135 gal made it better with drilling it. the only thing that I kick myself for is that the damn drain should have been 1 1/2'' instead of 1". Something you always think about after the fact. I also use for light the Deluxe Alumium hood with 2 250 watts Mogel 10k and 2 110 watts URI VHO lights by Hamilton.

 

[LFS42]

If I'm correct the RR tanks are drilled for a drain and a return. Could you utilize both as drains and have a return run through a manifold over the top.

yes, you could. but you can still only get so much water through
the slots on the overflow box.

What lights did you end up going with?

I use (4) 36" VHO bulbs, because of the brackets I made.
It works for soft corals and other "low light corals"
I could fit (2) 46-1/2" bulbs and (2) 36" bulbs into the canopy
if I made new brackets.
or I could install (2) MH bulbs, but I don't have the money for those

I saw a canopy that Oceanic makes for $100 on a 72 BF at the LFS.

that canopy is plastic, and has an open top w/ covers.
so, it's a little difficult to mount llights into it.

 

[Anonymous]

I love the looks of the bow tank but I'm not sure of the drawbacks they may present.

I have a 155 bowfront, and if I had it to do over again, I would certainly get a flat front tank.

The bowfronts do look really nice, they have a dramatic appearance, but I want to add new lighting and I just don't have the skills to make a new hood with that curve on the front, the current canopy leaves the lights way too close to the water. If it was a regular tank I could whip up a new canopy no problem, right angels work fine for me!

Also, it is more difficult to move, as one side is heavier than the other due to the bow, it makes it unbalanced when one is trying to carry it.

Plus, I feel the glass is harder to clean with a magnet, because even with the gently curve on the 155, the magnet does not maintian even contact with the glass.

Just a few things I have noted.