8 foot tank build

[bryn.sessums1]

I am looking to get info for a tank build. The wife was first resistant to the reef tank idea but after seeing my current tank from Starr she has come around.

She asked me to see about filling in a 8 foot cased opening between the living room and dinning room with a tank. Totally her idea, she wants it to fill the 8 foot opening. I like the idea but have never looked into tanks that big. What sizes come in that length? I would prefer a rimless tank but I am open to ideas.

 

[dave.m]

You are almost certainly looking at a custom-built tank at 8' in length. When you say 8' are you leaving room at the ends for drains and returns plus cabinetry? You haven't said how wide or how tall you are looking at.

You will also have to consider some sort of bracing at 8' long, especially along the top but possibly also along the bottom depending on how tall the tank is supposed to be and how thick the glass will be. Take a look at other large builds in this forum to see what others have done and which tank builders they went with.

Leave room for lighting above the tank. Will you be putting the sump beneath the tank or will it go in another room or basement? That decision will affect how tall the cabinet beneath the tank needs to be.

Lots of options and decisions in front of you. Take your time and work out as many details as you can in advance. What types of filtration, lighting, livestock, etc. Also how much automation can you afford in order to make maintenance manageable?

Dave.M

 

[bryn.sessums1]

The opening is 8 foot wide by 7 foot tall(can easily be made to 8 foot). I was thinking 3 sides viewable so the lines would all need to be one end of the tank.

Sump would be under the tank. I would also like to have the top open with lighting being AI hydras. SPS & LPS with reef safe fish, tangs ect.

 

[dave.m]

It would be difficult to get good water flow at 8' with all your pumps and returns at one end. If there's no canopy then you give up the option of bringing return pipes along the top (normally hidden inside a canopy). Another option to consider is a closed loop coming up through the bottom of the tank.

If your sump is to be underneath the tank then you must consider this when choosing a skimmer. The height must be such that it will fit inside the sump but that you still have enough room to access it for cleaning. Same goes for whichever reactors you choose, dosing, auto top-off, etc.

Dave.M

 

[benjc]

It sounds like the tank is going to need to have a clean look for her to stay happy. In that case I recommend a canopy; otherwise, you are going to have to deal with wiring and glare from the lights. Also, you may want to consider some sort of ventilation above the tank so that you aren't dealing with humidity from all that warm water. Also, a good point was brought up regarding the height of the stand for equipment below...the other part of the equation is whether people will be seated or standing when looking at the tank. Seated or standing, the tank should be at eye level.

 

[bryn.sessums1]

I was thinking of having multiple wave makers and some at opposite ends. I am open to a canopy but would prefer to leave it open. I am also open to building the opening in to fill a gap if needed. I really like some of the 180 rimless tanks I have seen. I am very partial to the rimless tank for the look.

 

[bryn.sessums1]

I do want to have a sleek finished look. I think that means a sleek rimless that is open and everything is well hidden or a canopy to hide things.