Anyone looking to downsize?

[allan]

I noticed you wanted a short tank, this one is 72", and I believe it's 18x18. I got tired of having to move my seat over to the left or right to see it all.

It has a stand, and I built a podium for it to sit on so I could squeeze the 55 under it. I had plenty of space and even the skimmer had a lot of head room. The podium is about 6" high... well, maybe 5.5", I built it with 2"x6" pine. It's painted black and the stand is a darker walnut stain.

I had built a canopy for it, but I shorted it by about an eigth of an inch which resulted in one side snapping. I continued to use it as it was as I had planned on upgrading. I have a thread somewhere here on MAAST that I started sometime in JAN09. The canopy only held four 36" T5s, and I stuffed two 36 T8 actinics under there as well. So yes, there is a canopy, but no I wouldn't recommend it.

I'll find the original post and place the link here for your review.

[allan]

Ok, here it is...

http://www.maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=50019

I had thought about creating a tide pool/jetty styled tank by alternating the water from the left to the right in sequence with the natural tide with some cup and bowl sized divets in some rocks to simulate a real tide like environment. One side low, one side high at all times... or maybe both suffering the effects of the tide while one side had a turbulent wave action while the other side calm and peaceful during the high tide.

But then I got my niece hooked and she claimed the tank. I would have to run this by her if you become truly interested.

[timmytimtim]

Allen,

Love that long tank!!!! I'm with Squire, ive got a 75 but someday will go larger.

[Squiers007]

Just tell her that you are going from 4 feet to 6 feet... LOL. And that it's for research! Yeah, that'll work!

You know, I'm just messing with you, right?

Yeah, I know your just messing. I wish I could use the "its for research" excuse, but I went to grad school with her so she knows all about my research, dang. Plus she works at the Texas State Aquarium now so she probably doesnt want to come home to a big fish tank when she has been looking at them all day at work, although I would!!

Allan, I like the dimensions of that tank, but will need to think things over a bit. The main reason I was wanting a 4' tank was so that I wouldnt have to buy new lights, and I also like wide tanks and was hoping for a cube of some sort. If either of you are coming to the meeting in Corpus you will get a chance to see my tank in the tank tour.

[allan]

I know what you mean about going cube. Wouldn't have thought it a year ago, but now that I've gone cubish I couldn't imagine a long tank. Of course I'm still mulling over the tide pool idea. If I lived closer to the coast I could probably do a tide based on the local animals. Keep it really low budget... except for the lights. Oh, and the pumps. Annnd I would probably need a few pumps to work the waxing and waning of the tide. and of course maybe just one piece of coral that can survive an exposure during low tide that may not be local... oh and I may need some live rock to build the jetties thing... and additional salt....

If only my financial advisor would allow me the lattitude to do what I want rather than what I can actually afford.

[Squiers007]

I know what you mean about going cube. Wouldn't have thought it a year ago, but now that I've gone cubish I couldn't imagine a long tank. Of course I'm still mulling over the tide pool idea. If I lived closer to the coast I could probably do a tide based on the local animals. Keep it really low budget... except for the lights. Oh, and the pumps. Annnd I would probably need a few pumps to work the waxing and waning of the tide. and of course maybe just one piece of coral that can survive an exposure during low tide that may not be local... oh and I may need some live rock to build the jetties thing... and additional salt....

If only my financial advisor would allow me the lattitude to do what I want rather than what I can actually afford.

Haha, so true! Well I spoke with the wife and I think we are going to pass on the tank, its just not quit what we are looking for. I think your tide based system sounds like a great idea though and if you need any input on it I would be happy to help. Have a good one.

[msmith619]

I have a 125 gallon that I posted pictures of several months ago. http://www.maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=55097
Since then the corals have grown significantly and I upgraded the cheap pine stand and canopy to a furniture grade Oak stand and canopy. It has metal halide lighting and a 55 gallon sump but no protein skimmer. I wouldn't mind down-sizing but we would have to figure out logistics with you in Corpus and me in San Antonio. If your interested send me a pm and we can discuss it.

[Squiers007]

msmith619 you have a pm