new 500 liter tank

[barley69]

Hi there everyone! Firstly i would like to introduce myself, my names Adam and iv been keeping marines for a little over 3 years, I’ve read this site for tips etc throughout that time. Ok the tank part! My current tank is a trigon 350 running on 2 eheim pro canister filters, with a deltec mce600 skimmer, 60 kilo of live rock under twin 150w halides.

Now this tank was great under t5 lighting but when i upgraded to halides a year ago i had a never ending battle keeping the tank balanced! So I removed the coral sand from the base of the tank, it had so much waste in it! That can’t have been helping anything!
Within a few days and a couple of water changes it was back up to scratch but the damage had been done! My mind was made up!

I had decided on a new non triangular tank! getting the current right on these is difficult, always end up with dead spots,
it just so happens I have a basement room that’s not in use so the plan has been set in motion for a new 5 foot x 3 foot x 15 inch holding 500 litres of water and a 4x1x1 foot sump holding 80 litres,

The advice I need to start with is just the tank stand how bulky does it need to be? i was planning on using 2x4 with a frame on top braced across the sides, do you think this is enough or does anyone have/could make me a brief plan/drawing to help me on my way?

[Amphibious]

When building stands for my own use, I like to go "sturdy". Here is a link to my 135 gal tank thread where you'll find the stand I built for it. Amphibious'-135-gal-reef

I hope this helps answer your question.

Dick

[barley69]

well got bored thinking about it this afternoon so went ahead and made one!

[barley69]

Originally Posted by Amphibious

When building stands for my own use, I like to go "sturdy". Here is a link to my 135 gal tank thread where you'll find the stand I built for it. Amphibious'-135-gal-reef

I hope this helps answer your question.

Dick

thanks for the reply Dick, what a great looking setup you have there! i have been following it the stand i have just thown together looks somewhat over the top compared to yours! but id rather be sure rather than tip toeing in saltwater!

[barley69]

ok so my next attempt to gather information/advice then!

i have a 4' x 1' x 15" tank i am planning to use as the sump, now considering on my previous setup i never had the space for a sump i have only the knowledge i have got from sites such as this!
i have taken all the dividers out as it wasnt right for my needs, now my question is how would you suggest to partition it off? i want a good sized refugium in too

[CarmieJo]

I guess I would make it in 4 sections:
a) water in,
b) fuge
c) equipment like skimmer, heater, etc
d) return

[barley69]

i thought of having the fuge on the right and have a small pump filling it till it overflows back to the return section what do you think?

[CarmieJo]

Yeah, I think that would be OK.