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Pacman
Mon, 18th Oct 2004, 08:34 PM
Hi everyone!

I've been reading the boards for a while, and finally decided to get back into reefkeeping after a 5 year hiatus :P.

I've got an empty tank and its footprint is 36.5" by 13.0". Is it just me or is it an odd dimension? I'd like to get a stand and canopy, but not sure if there is one available anywhere (and not sure I want to pay to have one custom made, either!)

Thanks for any thoughts!

Matt
Tim Marvin
Mon, 18th Oct 2004, 08:44 PM
The other thing you could do is use it as your sump if you can't find a stand.
::pete::
Mon, 18th Oct 2004, 09:07 PM
A custom made one doesnt necessairly have to cost an arm and a leg ...
GaryP
Mon, 18th Oct 2004, 09:17 PM
If I was going to go through building a stand and hood I would start with a bigger tank. The tank would be the cheap part. I like Tim's suggestion of using it as a sump.

Gary
Tim Marvin
Mon, 18th Oct 2004, 09:22 PM
Build the stand out of a furniture grade plywood (pine) and painting it wouldn't cost much. A good sized tank for someone starting out is between 55-80 gallons. Small tanks are much harder to keep stable.
GaryP
Mon, 18th Oct 2004, 09:24 PM
What Tim Said....
Pacman
Mon, 18th Oct 2004, 10:14 PM
Thanks for all the comments,

I know everyone likes the larger tank idea, but I had a 10 gallon successfully for ~4 years before I got out of it (I probably have one of the very first Seaclones ever made!). It actually did quite well - doing frequent water changes and keeping stuff like mushrooms and zooz.

My concern with going bigger is that I'm a student, and will probably need to move in about 2 1/2 years or so. I guess I'd prefer a smaller setup done well, and feel like I could handle it. Tearing down a 75 to move would just kill me; I've pretty much talked myself into ~30 gallon though.

I'm thinking the plywood idea sounds good right now, or maybe I'll get Pete to build me something.

Matt
NaCl_H2O
Mon, 18th Oct 2004, 10:22 PM
Welcome to MAAST - you will get lots of good advice here! Personal opinions are also free :-D

36.5 x 13 x ?? sounds kinda small (if 24" tall, that's about 40-50 gals), but OK if you have gone small before!

You can't go wrong with ~Pete~, I'll soon have pictures to post for the work he is doing for me.