280g Renovation

[anzaw00001]

Hello Everyone,
I moved into a new home in October, which had a 280 gallon glass built into a dividing wall between the living room and kitchen. It is visible on 3 sides with a 45 gallon sump underneath. Over the past 2 months I had been trying to decide what to do to update/renovate the system and make it my own. My neighbors told me that the glass aquarium leaked once and had to be refinished. After much waffling (and sweet talking my wife), I decided to take the old glass beast out and replace with acrylic. I also decided to plumb down to the basement for future sump and completely redo the lighting and aquarium area. Getting the old tank out and down stairs about killed me and 3 other strong males. Now is time to order a tank and get down to work.

I wanted to start this thread for two reasons:
1.) To document my struggle
2.) To get some advice along the way!

Here are some pics of the old tank, the hole left behind, and the stairs which we had to get the tank down.

 

[anzaw00001]

Here is the picture of the stairs we had to go down.

Also, thinking about advice, I am trying to finalize my final tank design before placing an order this week. I put together 4 potential tank designs considering flow and have attached them as well. My current plan is to set up the sump in the basement which opens up the space under the tank for a closed loop system.

Also, I am trying to decide between either a one closed loop design or a two closed loop design. I want to create a wave action in the front of the tank, and am trying to decide whether to set this up as a separate closed loop, as part of 1 closed loop in total, or use power heads. Any advice?

 

[anzaw00001]

Just wanted to post some pictures. We tore out all the old drywall and installed new plywood in the entire aquarium room. Then we created a false floor so that we could install a drain on the bottom. Thus the entire room is like a big shower!

Also, mounted the TV above where the aquarium will go, so we had to do some wiring behind the TV.

Aquarium is suppose to arrive on March 16th!! Still a lot to do.

 

[anzaw00001]

I wanted to make the bottom of the area bomber, so I went to Lowes and looked for something that would water proof everything. Originally, I imagined something like Rhinoguard, but I think I found something better.

Found two products and tested them out on some spare ply. Decided that the "Black jack" was the best. Then we treated the lower half of the room with this rubberized coating. Right now it needs a couple more coats. We also plumbed the 5 lines down through the ply and into the basement. 2 for outflow to sump, 1 for sump return, 1 for outflow to closed loop pump, 1 for return from closed loop. The last picture is how the coating looks now after one layer and the drain.

 

[worm5406]

FAN/Exhaust?

I like the coating!

 

[anzaw00001]

I thought about adding an exhaust into the ceiling. However, there is an AC vent already, and the door is completely latticed. So I figure it will get enough airflow.

Additionally, I am planning on running 3 LED pendants. So I figured that there will not be as much heat. I use to run 2 250 MH.

The rubber has two coats on it now, it is getting two more. I will update a pic when it is done.

 

[worm5406]

Yeah I was more thinking about moisture, not necessary heat.

 

[Northside Reef]

I thought about adding an exhaust into the ceiling. However, there is an AC vent already, and the door is completely latticed. So I figure it will get enough airflow.

Additionally, I am planning on running 3 LED pendants. So I figured that there will not be as much heat. I use to run 2 250 MH.

The rubber has two coats on it now, it is getting two more. I will update a pic when it is done.

You can also run a cheap little dehumidifier if you start feeling the walls sweat. I put one in the fish shed for that reason. Empty about a pint every three four days.

I like the original tank design with the three viewing angles.