I’ve been sneaking around the forums for years. This is by far my favorite section. Who doesn’t love a BIG tank. Well my tank is almost ready for water and I thought I would share this strange journey with all of you. I’ve learned a lot right here on these forums and I thought everyone would enjoy this build.
First a little about me…I’ve been “reefing” for about 15 years. My step dad decided to get a glass 180-gallon tank for their house and I was hooked. I of course got a 210 for my house. As part of full disclosure, I have literally made every single mistake imaginable. I ONLY learn the hard way. The good news is I’ve learned a lot. I decided earlier this year that it was time to upgrade the 220. I have a few fish that have grown too big for the tank. One of my tangs is close to 18” long (started at 4” 2 years ago). The decision was to either go big or give a few of them away. I went BIG. So here comes the first hurdle…my existing tank is in my basement. I don’t really get to enjoy it as much as I use to AND my wife wasn’t thrilled with a giant tank downstairs (ok, she said no…lol) BUT she did recommend I consider putting in my office. I own a custom high-end remodeling firm (you’ll see how that helps when we get to the fish room) and have a very large private office. There’s plenty of available floor space…so I green-lighted the project and off I went.
I eventually settled on a 8’x4’x32” tall tank. The height was dictated by the ability to get it into the office. I considered a 10’ tank, but the cost jumped almost 50%! I had to go acrylic b/ of the ability to move it into my office. I’ve never had acrylic before so I hope I like it. So as with most projects, I had high hopes of keeping this affordable. I was going to use a Rubbermaid container as the sump, reusing my skimmer, blah blah blah. I was determined to keep this 1000 gallon system (750 tank/250 sump) to under $15K. Well, as with most of my plans, this got out of control fast. I know that people say to budget about $100/gallon for these builds, but I was convinced it could be done for a lot less. One of my frustrations when researching large builds online (here and other places) is the lack of costs being disclosed. I know the forum rules about stating what you pay from whom, but I think it would be helpful to many of us if maybe costs were talked about in round-about ways. I will try to do that. Not to seem conceited, but rather to help others considering the Big Life.
Now as I mentioned, things got out of control quick. I realized that the bathroom we were going to convert into a fish equipment room was too small. The 6’x7’ footprint wouldn’t work for my insane plans…simple and cheap went out the window quick. Welcome to my world, and the real reason my wife of 25 years didn’t want it started in the house. She knows me and she knew this would happen. Remember the Rubbermaid sump? Gone. I hired a firm to build me a custom 6’x30”x24” sump. The equipment room expanded to about 8’x20’. Luckily I know a good construction company
I decided to add dual 75 gallon quarantine tanks, a fridge to hold food, and a stand-alone ac/heater unit. Simplicity is the Key to this build. Nothing kills this hobby faster than having to do too much to just keep the tank running. I have pumps to move water in and out of the quarantine tanks. Cepex ball valves everywhere. The sump was designed to empty completely with the turn of one valve and fill with the turn of another. I set-up a 160 gallon salt water holding tank and a 100 gallon fresh water tank. A reeflo pump handles salt mixing and water delivery. I truly tried to think through most things. To be honest, the equipment room is more existing to me than the tank…ok not really, but it is still pretty cool.
The project is now almost complete. The sump is on a truck and should be here next week. I’ll be able to finish up the plumbing once it’s installed and then get the tank wet. I am beyond excited. I figured it was time to start the build thread. I will post pictures of as much as I can. I hope this is both helpful and enjoyable. Feel free to ask anything you want.
Thanks you for reading, Joe
First a little about me…I’ve been “reefing” for about 15 years. My step dad decided to get a glass 180-gallon tank for their house and I was hooked. I of course got a 210 for my house. As part of full disclosure, I have literally made every single mistake imaginable. I ONLY learn the hard way. The good news is I’ve learned a lot. I decided earlier this year that it was time to upgrade the 220. I have a few fish that have grown too big for the tank. One of my tangs is close to 18” long (started at 4” 2 years ago). The decision was to either go big or give a few of them away. I went BIG. So here comes the first hurdle…my existing tank is in my basement. I don’t really get to enjoy it as much as I use to AND my wife wasn’t thrilled with a giant tank downstairs (ok, she said no…lol) BUT she did recommend I consider putting in my office. I own a custom high-end remodeling firm (you’ll see how that helps when we get to the fish room) and have a very large private office. There’s plenty of available floor space…so I green-lighted the project and off I went.
I eventually settled on a 8’x4’x32” tall tank. The height was dictated by the ability to get it into the office. I considered a 10’ tank, but the cost jumped almost 50%! I had to go acrylic b/ of the ability to move it into my office. I’ve never had acrylic before so I hope I like it. So as with most projects, I had high hopes of keeping this affordable. I was going to use a Rubbermaid container as the sump, reusing my skimmer, blah blah blah. I was determined to keep this 1000 gallon system (750 tank/250 sump) to under $15K. Well, as with most of my plans, this got out of control fast. I know that people say to budget about $100/gallon for these builds, but I was convinced it could be done for a lot less. One of my frustrations when researching large builds online (here and other places) is the lack of costs being disclosed. I know the forum rules about stating what you pay from whom, but I think it would be helpful to many of us if maybe costs were talked about in round-about ways. I will try to do that. Not to seem conceited, but rather to help others considering the Big Life.
Now as I mentioned, things got out of control quick. I realized that the bathroom we were going to convert into a fish equipment room was too small. The 6’x7’ footprint wouldn’t work for my insane plans…simple and cheap went out the window quick. Welcome to my world, and the real reason my wife of 25 years didn’t want it started in the house. She knows me and she knew this would happen. Remember the Rubbermaid sump? Gone. I hired a firm to build me a custom 6’x30”x24” sump. The equipment room expanded to about 8’x20’. Luckily I know a good construction company
I decided to add dual 75 gallon quarantine tanks, a fridge to hold food, and a stand-alone ac/heater unit. Simplicity is the Key to this build. Nothing kills this hobby faster than having to do too much to just keep the tank running. I have pumps to move water in and out of the quarantine tanks. Cepex ball valves everywhere. The sump was designed to empty completely with the turn of one valve and fill with the turn of another. I set-up a 160 gallon salt water holding tank and a 100 gallon fresh water tank. A reeflo pump handles salt mixing and water delivery. I truly tried to think through most things. To be honest, the equipment room is more existing to me than the tank…ok not really, but it is still pretty cool.The project is now almost complete. The sump is on a truck and should be here next week. I’ll be able to finish up the plumbing once it’s installed and then get the tank wet. I am beyond excited. I figured it was time to start the build thread. I will post pictures of as much as I can. I hope this is both helpful and enjoyable. Feel free to ask anything you want.
Thanks you for reading, Joe
