New Bigish Tank

[carpboyjoe]

Knowing that some of you guys have some monster tanks I thought here would be a good place to ask for advice.
I am starting the planning for my new tank which my darling wife, you never know if she will look in, has agreed to buy me for Christmas. I am planning to order it at around the end of October so that I can get it here and set up for christmas.At the moment I am planning to set it up as a big heavily planted community tank but that may change.
But I have a couple of things that I am undecided on yet.
Firstly the size of the tank it is either going to be 84x24x30 around 990 litres or 96x24x24 around 900 litres I have the space for either but really like the idea of the taller tank but it has less surface area than the shorter but longer version, which would you go for and why, are there any real plus points with going for the longer tank?
I would like the tank to be hard plumbed, in the same way as you would a marine tank, so drillled so that all the filter connections go through the tank IE no pipes hanging over the back is this a good idea?
I would like to try and make it so that water changes can be done via turning a couple of valves maybe plumbed into the drain to make draining water very simple.
I am undecided regarding filtration I could use a couple of eheim 2028, which I already have and maybe add another smaller filter, or a sump I think I prefer the idea of a sump but never having used one before i am not completely sure which would be better, what size would be needed. I am quite handy when it comes to building things so would like to try and build it myself if poss.
I am considering building the cabinate unless i can find a company that want a resonable price to build the cabinate to my specs, yes I know this is going to weigh a fair old bit by the way it will be going on the ground concreate floor. Anybody know of a company that will build cabinates to spec, i want it to look how I want ie not to tall.
I just want to make sure that I get what I want when i order it as I am spending a fair lump of cash so really want it to be right.
I am sure there will be many more questions whilst making up my mind and also when I come to do the plumbing and set up. I will try and do a picture journal give the wife something to do with the camera.

 

[SuperDave]

ok, so if you have fish, what kind would they be,

 

[synodontisjack]

generaly speaking the tank with more surface area is better as that is where the oxygen exchange happens but it depends what you want to keep.

 

[12 Volt Man]

the 84x24x30 tank is available as a stock Perfecto/marineland tank, 265 gallons. might save a bunch of cash if your local fish store can order it.

I agree that a bit of extra height will look a little nicer than a really long but only 24 inch tall tank.

 

[justin guest]

At that size the tank form is more personal choice. As for the filter I´d go with a sump but if you want to dose co2 for the plants a sump will raise your co2 usage substantially when compared to canister filters. A sump has the advantage though that you can hide all of your technical stuff like for instance an automated water changer. As for building your own sump just do a search on this site under diy sump or diy wet/dry. You should find enough info to keep you occupied. I personally find two 2028 filters to be way undersized as you may want to convert later to fish species that need stronger filtration.

As for drilling the tank, i´d let the manufacturer do this. Solid plumbing is always safer but first you need to decide whether sump or canister filter cause a sump will need an overflow of some sort in the tank.

As for the cabinet, I can´t help you with a company on that one. Hopefully someone else knows somebody

j<><

 

[carpboyjoe]

ok, so if you have fish, what kind would they be,

I already have some fish in a Rio 400 Some Loaches, Only small clowns and polkadot, Tetras cardinals and congo's, 3 Gourami's, 1 Blue Phantom Plec and a couple of cories

the 84x24x30 tank is available as a stock Perfecto/marineland tank, 265 gallons. might save a bunch of cash if your local fish store can order it.

I agree that a bit of extra height will look a little nicer than a really long but only 24 inch tall tank.

I have found a couple of companies in the UK that can build these sizes.

As for drilling the tank, i´d let the manufacturer do this. Solid plumbing is always safer but first you need to decide whether sump or canister filter cause a sump will need an overflow of some sort in the tank.

I have no intension of trying to drill the tank, just want to make sure that I know exactly what I want when I order it so that I dont have the problem of having to drill it or altering the tank .
I am planning to use CO2 so it is helpful to know that my Co 2 usage will go up, although now the useage is fairly good in the rio but I didnt think about that.