~200G U-shaped 'desk' aquarium

[drunknmunkys]

Hi guys! I've been designing a custom built desk for my multi-monitor computer, and I've had the idea of having an aquarium setup for a while. I want to start a thread to get some idea while I work out the design and requirements for this tank.

I start the building of this for at least a year, maybe more. I'm currently living in Houston, but I'm moving back to Denver at the end of the year, and then back to Houston sometime next summer. I'm waiting until I'm settled in a semi-permanent location to start something like this, but you can't ever start the planning too early.

I've been modeling the setup using Google SketchUp and I'll post some initial pics when I get home tonight. Here's a quick drawing in paint of what I'm thinking of.

Where the blue is the tank and the black are my computer monitors, brown is desk.

I've been trying to plan out dimensions that come out to ~180-200G, as it seems I probably don't want to go much bigger than that. I'll be using acrylic for this. Here's what I've come up with initially:

For the two sides, H:18" W:18" L:36"
For the middle part, H:18" W:20" L:60" (inside to inside - front panel will be 96")

This comes out to ~195G which seems reasonable.

I need to spend some time figuring out how to optimize this for acrylic sheets, but first I wanted to be sure the design idea was feasible.

I really like the idea of having the U shape, and I was wondering about having the bottom be 3 pieces sealed. I haven't seen many DIY projects like this, so I was wondering about the integrity etc. I figured since the sides are sealed, as long as I do a good enough job sealing and take my time, this could work. I could also just get a thinner sheet of acrylic and cut out the middle leaving one piece for the base.

I'm aware of the weight this will have, and building a sturdy stand isn't a problem. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.



Disclaimer: I've never built or owned an aquarium. There are a number of things I haven't considered, but I'm here for advice so please be nice.:smokin:

 

[nate82]

this will be your first tank??? wow quite ambitious good luck! Have any equipment plans? I'm assuming you'll use a sump? What kind of lighting will you use?

 

[drunknmunkys]

I am aware of the scope of the project, that's why I'm planning over a year in advance. I don't want to be getting advice as I actually construct it, that just seems doomed to fail. I'm going to try and work out the kinks beforehand! I'm not going to rush it so I'm not too worried about getting in over my head. One step at a time.

I'm still doing my reading and research as to how big a sump I need, etc. Lights are a looong way away I know this isn't the most exciting DIY build to follow right now, but I appreciate advice/tips/links to articles/etc that can help me get to the end. I promise it'll be worth your while.

 

[SunnyX]

Personally I wouldn't put an aquarium anywhere near a monitor or computer. Water will eventually spill over getting on the monitors and desk, not to mention the humidity which may affect the intricate circuits in the monitor.

I commend you for your thoughts and creativity, but for a first time reefer something this large and complicated would be tough to accomplish. I am not saying that it cant be done, but a persons first tank is full of trial and error and the large U tank may end up being an eyesore for a while.

But, if you do go through with it we will be here to guide you every step of the way. :thumbsup:

 

[drunknmunkys]

Here's a 3D view of what I'm thinking.

I'm thinking of adding a wooden cabinet top as well - that might help with the humidity - but I need to figure out what to cover the top with. Does it need an acrylic top as well? I live in Houston, so I'll probably have a dehumidifier running anyway, don't know of it would be enough to make a difference. I'm using 1/2" acrylic for the sides, which should be thick enough, but what about the base? 1/4", 3/8"?

EDIT: ignore the speakers, I'm not going to blast the fishies, I just didn't want to delete em from the project.

 

[Dustint21]

Very good idea! The only thing I wouldnt like is the monitors blocking the tank. I remember back when I was in school the teacher had a glass panel in the top of her desk with the monitor at an angle under the desk. Not sure if that would work for you but then you could get the full veiw of the tank. If that isnt going to work, maybe mount them above the tank if it isnt to high. Good luck!

Dustin

 

[justin_freebord]

you will never get anything done, i have a 5.5 gallon on my desk at school, takes me forever to do an essay

 

[jmadison]

flow can get tricky in tanks like U's and L's and such.

 

[Bax]

Will it be viewable from the long side? If so, overflow placement and use of power heads will be tricky. You might need to consider a CL manfold that wraps around the entire top of the tank to get good flow all over.

 

[drunknmunkys]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278889#post15278889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dustint21
Very good idea! The only thing I wouldnt like is the monitors blocking the tank. I remember back when I was in school the teacher had a glass panel in the top of her desk with the monitor at an angle under the desk. Not sure if that would work for you but then you could get the full veiw of the tank. If that isnt going to work, maybe mount them above the tank if it isnt to high. Good luck!

Dustin

I think I'm going to build the stand and desk separately so that if I decide I want to have it there I can but I'm not limited to that.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278964#post15278964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justin_freebord
you will never get anything done, i have a 5.5 gallon on my desk at school, takes me forever to do an essay

Luckily I'm not in school anymore, so I don't have to worry about essays

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15280128#post15280128 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bax
Will it be viewable from the long side? If so, overflow placement and use of power heads will be tricky. You might need to consider a CL manfold that wraps around the entire top of the tank to get good flow all over.

Yes it will be! It's designed to be viewable 360 degrees. Since it seems like nobody has a major problem with the structural integrity, the next thing I need to do is figure out how its actually going to work. I still need to do more reading, but the overflow/sump system is next.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278993#post15278993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmadison
flow can get tricky in tanks like U's and L's and such.

Although I have plans for an accompanying reef tank, this probably isn't going to be one, so achieving good uniform flow isn't as critical. Thanks for the tip, I'll have to sit down and think about that. I know this is a reef forum, but I've had a hard time finding a good place to get advice!

 

[leslie hempel]

awsome concept. will keep an eye on this thread for developments

 

[tragcm]

Me too. I would like to see this completed.

 

[drunknmunkys]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15282225#post15282225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tragcm
Me too. I would like to see this completed.

Well, as I mentioned in my introduction, this won't even be started for over a year. I'm going to be moving twice in the next 12 month and so I'm not even sure of the space this will go in. It's more of a concept I've had in my mind that I'm trying to flesh out, which can be tweaked later.

 

[nate82]

oh this is going to be fish only? that makes everything MUCH easier. Flow or lighting aren't as big of a concern. You could do a california ray in that tank and some smaller tangs. Could also do some cool aggressive fish. I would definitely go with a canopy to stop salt from getting all over everything. It will be ideal if you can plumb the equipment into a basement or another room (since you're in houston) to get rid of the noise from the equipment. Do a lot of reading you have nothing but time. Considering this is going to be FOWLR you should be able to accomplish a lot with this tank.

 

[GoToSleep]

What a really cool idea. Since you are already considering a really ambitious build, have ou considered having those inside corners be smooth radiuses rather than 90 deg angles? It would make viewing from the monitor side of things more pleasurable.

 

[drunknmunkys]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15282493#post15282493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nate82
oh this is going to be fish only? that makes everything MUCH easier. Flow or lighting aren't as big of a concern. You could do a california ray in that tank and some smaller tangs. Could also do some cool aggressive fish. I would definitely go with a canopy to stop salt from getting all over everything. It will be ideal if you can plumb the equipment into a basement or another room (since you're in houston) to get rid of the noise from the equipment. Do a lot of reading you have nothing but time. Considering this is going to be FOWLR you should be able to accomplish a lot with this tank.

Yes, the idea is FOWLR I think, which should be much easier for a tank like this, especially with my experience. I was initially trying for something which could house a bamboo shark, california ray and/or snowflake eel, but I think this is going to be too small. I've been doing a lot of reading online and fell victim to the '180G' requirement for bamboo sharks, which after further research today seems to be way too small. I might have to rethink the dimensions to accommodate a 24" width in the center part to make the shark happy.

I've ordered the aquarium sharks and rays book along with one of the recommended saltwater aquarium books to read through. I'll be posting ideas and potential parts when I've got a better idea of what I need. I know which parts I need, I just need to figure out specifics.

 

[stunreefer]

This is a cool idea! You have some great advisors so far... I'd recommend looking into a closed-loop through the bottom with centered overflows if your going 360* view. Check out Ed Reefs tank in the LRT forum for an example.

I would not recommend putting any elasteobranch (shark/ray) in that tank. It's too small for any of them full grown. They need lots and lots of "footprint" space, so 24" really doesn't help much. Scott Michaels book is great info, but all the "minimum recommendations" for tank size should be 25% larger at least.