Heavy-duty Cabinets for 4 feet IOS Tank

[moscowites]

Hi Bros,

I have been in a dilemma over the past few weeks regarding an upgrade to a new tank. I have a 2 feet running on an HoB + UGF now but with the urge of always visiting LFS and forum-surfing, I want to commit to a 4 feet glass/acrylic tank. The problem though is, I cannot do a sump due to factors such as electrical costs and such.

Cracking my head over the past 2 weeks, I've finally decided that an IOS would be second-best to a sump. The problem now though is that, I have trouble finding a cabinet for a tank which I have not made. Tentatively, the dimensions of the tank would be at 4 by 1 by 1.5. Upon calculations, the volume of the tank would be at about 150 litres equalling to a total weight of about 170-190kg (depending on whether acrylic or glass is used for the tank).

What should I do?

[Anchorman]

Hi bro, i am newbie here too. Running cost of a reef tank is very high but fowlr tank is very low. If u have a tight budget then do a fowlr tank with just simple set up tank,lightset, hangon skimmer, live rock and fishes. Feel free to check out the pasar malam for 2nd hand stuffs. Cheers.

[tunicate]

I've recent commented on IOS tank. It's at below link. (Look for post Posted 14 May 2012 - 11:25 PM)

If you engage a tank maker to construct both the tank with the cabinet together, then it should fit & hold the weight of your tank well. The cabinet should be the least of your problem.

P.S. Acrylic is not easy to maintain.

[moscowites]

Thanks for the kind reply bros.

I've recent commented on IOS tank. It's at below link. (Look for post Posted 14 May 2012 - 11:25 PM)

If you engage a tank maker to construct both the tank with the cabinet together, then it should fit & hold the weight of your tank well. The cabinet should be the least of your problem.

P.S. Acrylic is not easy to maintain.

Do you mean that I should get a tank maker to design both a tank and cabinet for me? Even if I go IOS?

[tunicate]

The devil is in the details, here I mean IOS sump compartment detail. Firstly, figure out what equipment you need to house in the IOS. These equipment will require the IOS to have sufficient space to fit them in. I'm not a fan of hang-on-back equipment as they they then to leak over time. It's ultimately your choice.

(1) IOS pre-filters typically uses filter wool. If you want filter sock instead, then the tank maker will need to do some customized bracket and tray to direct water from the overflow comb into the sock.

(2) Skimmer dimension + baffle to remove fine bubbles.

(3) FR dimension?

(4) chiller pump (optional)?

(5) return pump + piping?

Having consider above, if you cannot fine an off-the-shelf tank with IOS to accommodate them, then the only route is to have a customized tank. Then, might as well get tank maker to do up the cabinet as well for a perfect fit.