200g build in NW Austin

[Chrisrush]

Hi everyone. My wife and I are completing a new house in NW Austin, and we have had an additional casita (office/room) built on the back side of the house. The foundation has been poured and the frames are going up this week. I have posted the plans for the casita. My thought is to put a 200g+ tank on the far right wall and have the sump/equipment in the wardrobe area.

I have the opportunity to put some plumbing in the wall studs before the drywall goes in. My thought is to run 2 x 1" lines from the wardrobe to the bedroom area and a 1" line from the wardrobe to the sink area for RO/DI.

Anyone have any other thoughts on this?

I plan on having a remote sump with an external pump in the wardrobe. I will need to pitch the drain a bit from the bedroom to the wardrobe, correct?

 

[Chrisrush]

Here are some pictures of the structure.

Wall where tank will go and potential PVC pipes

Sink plumbing (I will try and hook up my RO/DI line and maybe a water change drain to this area

 

[dastratt]

I would plan for more than 2 1" lines for a 200g. That's only one drain and one return right? I would recommend double that capacity

 

[Chrisrush]

Well, I'm not sure what size tank will go there. I know that I don't want a huge tank but something in the mid 100 range with a decent sump/frag tank in the closet.

I'm thinking of running a 1.5" drain and a 1" return. If I have a tank that is 100g, that's only 4-500 gph sump turnover, so 1" should be fine.

The only worry that I have is drilling a ton of holes in the studs. I might run a third line for a dry line for wires, etc., and I could use that if I needed.

 

[RotaryGeek]

Hey im only about 45 minutes away from you, in copperas cove. Its right next to fort hood. Maybe one day i could come see your tank.

 

[Andrew Henry]

Personally if I had the ability, I'd run 2 x 1.5" drains and 2 x 1" returns while the house is being built, even if you don't use both right now they'll be there in case you want to upgrade.

 

[disaster999]

Here are some pictures of the structure.

leaning tower of pisa?

 

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey Cedar Park, that's right where I live when Stateside... Are you a member of MAAST, Chris? And I agree with Andrew, I'd run 2 x 1.5" drains, 2 x 1" returns, and it would be a good idea to run some electrical conduit for your wiring, especially before you've got any sheetrock up...

 

[Chrisrush]

Hey im only about 45 minutes away from you, in copperas cove. Its right next to fort hood. Maybe one day i could come see your tank.

Definitely. I'm not sure when I'll actually get a new tank, but I'll have my 40g in the house once we move in during the summer.

 

[Chrisrush]

Hey Cedar Park, that's right where I live when Stateside... Are you a member of MAAST, Chris? And I agree with Andrew, I'd run 2 x 1.5" drains, 2 x 1" returns, and it would be a good idea to run some electrical conduit for your wiring, especially before you've got any sheetrock up...

The house is actually in Georgetown, but in LISD so very far west Georgetown.

I'm a member of ARC, MAAST and DFWMAS.

What if I ran the returns up and over through the studs? This would keep me from cutting too many holes into the studs.

 

[Chrisrush]

leaning tower of pisa?

Yeah, I noticed that as well. I think I was the one leaning, not the structure, or at least I hope.

 

[Chrisrush]

Personally if I had the ability, I'd run 2 x 1.5" drains and 2 x 1" returns while the house is being built, even if you don't use both right now they'll be there in case you want to upgrade.

That's a good idea. I may do that.

What about installing 2 solar tubes or at least putting the domes into the structure? I would be easy if the roofers were already up there, right?

 

[mpoletti]

Good luck Chris :thumbsup:

 

[Chrisrush]

Good luck Chris :thumbsup:

Thanks Marc. Got any tips? I've never had a remote sump, so this should be interesting.

 

[Chrisrush]

Went by the house yesterday and installed an RO/DI feed and drain into the closet area. Unfortunately, running the return and water change drain up and over the attic won't work nor will drilling holes through the studs. I'm going to have my water change system in the closet and everything else under the tank. When I do a water change, I'll just set up a few hoses and pump it in/out of the tank that way. Same thing for RO/DI top-off.

 

[Chrisrush]

Casita is finished. Hopefully going to move on Fri, although it is doubtful. Otherwise, we won't move until I get back from my work trip in June. I hope to start the new tank in the summer, but we will see how funds are allocated.

Looking at a 36x36x22" tank. Trying to source a local builder for tank/stand. I will update this thread or start a new thread when I get more info.

 

[Chrisrush]

Small update. Now thinking about putting the tank in the closet. If you look at the first picture in this thread, you'll see the linen closet that backs up to the main closet. The opening in the main room is 55" W x 36" D x 100" T. The wall that the closet is on is 89" wide. If I remove the doors and put a 36" wide tank in the wall, do you think it will look right or does it need to be wider. The closet in the back is 59" x 78".

I'm thinking about removing the doors and the trim, removing the shelves and the drywall in the back. I was here when they were putting up the drywall, and I don't think there is any big problems in that wall. There is attic access above the tank, as you can see, so that might be good, or it might be bad. There is also a light wired to the wall, which I will probably keep and use for night viewing or something. I will need to run another breaker since I'm maxed out on the current breaker.

 

[Chrisrush]

Office as it sits now.

Linen closet:

Light and attic access:

Coat closet: (this wall shares the wall with the linen closet)

Closet again. I have 2 - 35g water storage barrels in the closet now. Still on top of my old 120 stand. I will re-arrange these and put the sump on the ground against that back wall.

 

[dc]

[moved]...

 

[Chrisrush]

Thanks Debi.

Wife didn't like the idea of building an in-wall, so it is back to a stand/canopy. Talking with a friend who's dad built my current stand. Got a few ideas. Looking at a 36x36x27 with an external overflow with 2 external waveboxes or if the tank is acrylic, then the overflow inside with the tunze flanking the overflow.

Anyone have any pictures of a center overflow with tunze flanking the overflow?