Blog Comments

The left thing on the back corner is the overflow. There actually has been a lot of discussion lately about doubling its size to 4ft wide, or creating two overflows of 2ft each.

I didn't make the drawing, someone else did for me. I'm not actually sure what it was made in, sorry. I can find out though if you want.

Wow! That's going to be awesome!

Was that drawn in Sketchup?

I believe you need more overflow. I can't wait till you start this build; going to be nice. ;-)

What is that cute little thing hanging on the left rear wall?

Looks sick!!!! Have you considered an external coast 2 coast overflow?

umm I know its early but am I reading that right and that thing is 10 FEET long?

How many gallons?

I would on the phone to Mike Holmes, lol, Thats the kinda stuff they find in all his reno's. man good thing a fire did'nt happen. Keep the piucs comming.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! This is something I've never got to see in person.

Sounds about right, my personal projects always take twice the money and 3 times the time I anticipate.

I know! I think we're settling on the idea that ALL the walls in the basement have to be removed and all the electrical re-run, even the stuff that isn't tank related. I was hoping that we could salvage SOMETHING of the original basement, but as you can see, it ain't happening.

I have however established an equation for renovations: budget + 50% mark up for product + additional food and beer consumption proportional to square footage of the area = real cost.

What really bugs me in that second photo is the lack of a ground wire! Something very necessary for safty, especially around salt water.

I'm happy you like them.

We spent quite a few hours wandering, and saw a lot of interesting sights. I do have a lot of photos though of the not so lucky fish. It was a great experience though, nothing like sitting out on a fallen tree in the middle of a river watching all these vividly coloured fish swim below you.

I just moved from the Seattle area and I already miss the sight of spawning Sockeye Salmon. The fall colors in the trees and bright red Sockeye are an amazing combination. Thanks for the pictures!

That's awesome! All my years in Alaska I've only seen a humpy spawing run like that once.

I imagine the smell must be from all the dying salmon..

Would you suggest I go back to exploring the one sided overflow? Or if not how would you adjust the single overflow into multiples

Actually, I prefer balance in my reef. I would prefer if I was designing a tank with side overflows, I would have them on both sides rather than one. I'm "assuming" from the sketch, your tank is not a walk around install. With that being said, if your mind is set with a single overflow, ensure the size is capable of flowing your required GPH X 2. Also, I prefer my overflows on the back wall of the tank. (personal preference) Additionally, the last thing you want is figuring out that your flow through the overflow is not enough, and spending the money on a pump strong enough to turn the required amount of water and having it cavitate. I've actually seen pumps cavitate because they could not get enough water flow.... Don't let my preferences of opinions sway your thoughts, just ensure your designs are capable of performing to your expectations. A good builder will alert you to any problems in the design. However they rarely understand the flow requirements and will build it to spec.

Just my .02

Mledford,

Yes, your calculations are correct the tank will be about 472g. The reason for the single overflow was (because I'm still open to changes) to allow for all the returns on the back and side panel. All the returns will be fed by 2x4-way Oceans Motions. Prior to the sketch you see above we had the overflow covering the complete left side. I'm trying for a minimal number of extra powerheads or other various equipment in the display. Would you suggest I go back to exploring the one sided overflow? Or if not how would you adjust the single overflow into multiples?

Detane,

Thanks for the offer. I'm actually not even in the US, I'm way up north in Canada! Although I have friends that love to make giant road trips to California, I have to have Tibet built on site in my basement due to the set up of my house.

If your by the L.A. area I have Direct contact with the owner of PFI. They make all the High End tanks for Museums and Mansions in the Southern California area. I can get u a custom Acrylic tank for about the same price as glass. W/ warranty. email me: detane@detane1.com

First... Cool design!

(IMO) if my calculations are correct, you have sketched out a main display tank of approximately 63 cubic ft or 472 gallons. My concern with your main tank is the single overflow. I would recommend at least two possibly three. Not counting the water for the sump, you're looking at needing to flow approximately 2,900 to 4,720 GPH. That's using the 6 to 10 times rule. I have friends that even flow total gallons by 12...I recently assisted installing a tank which was 12 ft long and 600 gallons, it had 3 overflow's...

Of coarse, your back panel sketch with all the bulkheads laid out may be considering this, I just can't make out what their uses are since they are not labeled...

BTW, Google Sketch up is free, and an awesome program that's easy to use for projects such as this. Makes it easy...

Just my initial thoughts

I can post photos when the one I just submitted gets here. The other ones I'd ordered previously I did as gifts. I gave some to my mother to commemorate her recent trip to Africa and a past trip to New Zeland. I had the ones I gave to my mother framed, and the rest I've just done the gallery style where they wrap some of the photo around the edge of the frame. I've been typically ordering 24" x 36" because thats the size I most prefer.

So when you order you have an option for the gallery edge, or framed and it does impact the price. You can also have you pictures printed as is, or in an oil style. I've only done as is.