30 gallon Cube

[Darth-Tater]

I am in the process of writing a grant through Northside Education Foundation for a new tank in my Science classroom. I don't want anything that is too big. (already have 55,12, 20 gallon tanks). Of course it woill be salt. I was thinking maybe a 30 gallon cube or a little bigger. One problem is I can't find the size of a 30. May a 45 wouldn't be too bad. Next question where is a good place to buy? then Glass or acrylic? Remember what NISD doesn't cover I have to. any thoughts guys and gals?

Thanks
David

[matt]

Doesn't oceanic make a small cube, sold complete with a nice stand? Look up an old thread about Jim Norris's 30 cube....lots of photos. I'm pretty sure I"ve seen several of these for sale, or maybe just one several times, in the for sale forum.

I imagine the size of a 30 cube would be roughly 18" on a side. Personally I think the ideal cube tank would be 24" on a side for about 60 gallons; enough for a stable sumpless system, very easy to light with one mh bulb (like a mini pendent) and a couple of the new nano streams for water movement. A hang on skimmer for filtration and a dosing pump for KW/auto top off could complete the set up. Of course you could do the same with a smaller cube as well. If you're going sumpless, I'd highly recommend the dosing pump for KW and top off. You can set those things so that your water level never budges and KW is dosed at an extremely slow and even rate.

[blueboy]

that's incredible matt, you just described the system i'm in the process of building to a T.

[matt]

What dosing pump are you going to use?

[blueboy]

well, actually, i'm probably going to use my tunze osmo for top off/KW

[matt]

I would consider one of the innovative aquatics dosing pumps (or the litermeter if you're loaded) if you're going sumpless. That way it's a constant drip, maybe more like a drop every 5-10 seconds, rather than a stream of KW periodically. If it's going to a sump, no big deal as it will get diluted before going into the display.

[blueboy]

good point, it's just that i already have the tunze. might have to look into that, who has those dosing pumps?

[blueboy]

found them, i looked at them before i got the osmo, now it looks like a better option for the new tank.

[matt]

If you go that route please keep us posted on the tank's progress. I'd love to build a 24" acrylic cube and go sumpless and skimmerless just to see how a really simple system could flourish with the right stocking. One really nice thing about your plan is that the tank could be almost silent.

The guy at innovative aquatics is really helpful; his name is Stan and if you talk with him about what you're doing, he might have a pump that will work great that's not on his site. That's how I got mine. They are used pumps and look it, but since they're designed for medical use, they're built pretty well.

[blueboy]

yeah, actually silence was one of the primary concerns with this tank. my wife can't stand the noise of the current tank, and it's really not bad at all, just she can't sleep with any kind of noises. so, i'm also moving the tank across the livingroom so it's not against the bedroom wall, this meens it will be right next to my head when i'm laying on the couch watching TV, which is cool, since i can just turn my head and have the tank right in my face, but it must be QUIET. i'm planning on using a backpack skimmer, i'm not very SPS intensive, so i think it will be sufficient, along with my 14" derasa clam.

[TexasTodd]

Tater, I'd have Ace build one.....

Todd

[Darth-Tater]

Gosh guys, Out of 10 responses only two pertain to my question. I will talk to Ace. Thanks for all of the input abouttank size :zzz

[LoneStar]

http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=22549


There you go Tater ;)

[Flobex]

pm sent.

[Darth-Tater]

Pm replied to thanks for the offer that is super.

David

[blueboy]

sorry for the hijack.

[Darth-Tater]

Problem solved. Thqanks flobeck.

DT

[Flobex]

i hope you, and your students enjoy the tank, keep me updated on its progress. =)

[Darth-Tater]

Thanks Chase. You are a great young man. I will update you with pics. I am thinking about FOWLR. Maybe a lion fish just to freak out the kids :w00t
David

[carlinsa]

Thanks Chase. You are a great young man. I will update you with pics. I am thinking about FOWLR. Maybe a lion fish just to freak out the kids :w00t
David

but you know one os those dumb jackasses would try to touch it and then there you go

[Flobex]

Thanks Chase. You are a great young man. I will update you with pics. I am thinking about FOWLR. Maybe a lion fish just to freak out the kids :w00t
David

but you know one os those dumb jackasses would try to touch it and then there you go

just tell them the sting is so intense, it could kill them... then they wont mess with your tank :P

[Darth-Tater]

oh wait, I will put a disclaimer on it. "Warning this fish's sting will hurt like heck :lol .


DT