Best way to make a reef tank 360 degree viewable?

[cedwards04]

So we are in the process of buying a new house, and were looking for a creative way to seperate a 24'x16' living room into more of a living room/foyer type feel. The house has no foyer, and the front door opens directly to the living room. Opposite the front door are french doors leading outside to a swimming pool, and next to the french doors is a corner fireplace. So im thinking tv above fireplace, which forces us to turn a couch or loveseat with the back facing the front door.

My thoughts are to set up a new reef tank (currently only have a 20gal fowlr) between the couch and front door, so that it is viewable from the front door and the living room space as well. I thought about doing overflows on the sides, but then I'd like to have a good view from the sides as well. Has anyone ever successfully hidden an overflow and return inside of the live rock structure in the middle of the tank? Is the bottom of most tanks able to be drilled? I was originally thinking 40 breeder with 20l sump, i may go a little bigger but dont want to get carried away. Im also thinking a simple screen on the top to keep the fish in, and suspending led light fixtures from the ceiling for a more modern look than just a wood stand/wood canopy. Looking for advise or ideas on how i might be able to pull this off. Thanks.

 

[biecacka]

So we are in the process of buying a new house, and were looking for a creative way to seperate a 24'x16' living room into more of a living room/foyer type feel. The house has no foyer, and the front door opens directly to the living room. Opposite the front door are french doors leading outside to a swimming pool, and next to the french doors is a corner fireplace. So im thinking tv above fireplace, which forces us to turn a couch or loveseat with the back facing the front door.

My thoughts are to set up a new reef tank (currently only have a 20gal fowlr) between the couch and front door, so that it is viewable from the front door and the living room space as well. I thought about doing overflows on the sides, but then I'd like to have a good view from the sides as well. Has anyone ever successfully hidden an overflow and return inside of the live rock structure in the middle of the tank? Is the bottom of most tanks able to be drilled? I was originally thinking 40 breeder with 20l sump, i may go a little bigger but dont want to get carried away. Im also thinking a simple screen on the top to keep the fish in, and suspending led light fixtures from the ceiling for a more modern look than just a wood stand/wood canopy. Looking for advise or ideas on how i might be able to pull this off. Thanks.

Custom build and have the bottom panel drilled and have your overflows run up the middle.

Corey

 

[ccasa004]

They do tanks like that all the time on the show tanked with fake coral. I like the idea of doing a reef tank like that.

 

[RCS82]

Lots of tanks out there with middle overflows. Drill an extra hole for a tall dry pipe to run cords through for powerheads or do a vertical channel up the back of the overflow for powerhead magnets. There are lots of possibilities.

 

[on the spot]

My thoughts are to set up a new reef tank
between the couch and front door, so that it is viewable from the front door and the living room space as well.
I was originally thinking 40 breeder with 20l sump, i may go a little bigger but dont want to get carried away...

This is America - carried away is one of our strongest attributes. :spin1:

Cube tank, center overflow, four small Island style reefs. a couple sea-sweeps turning a couple controllable powerheads mounted on that overflow tower.

or, how about a double bow tank? same central overflow idea...this tank in plastic would be awesome for you to spend your money on.

 

[cedwards04]

Anyone have any pictures of one set up this way? If it could all be hidden in the rock work that would be even better.

 

[Timfish]

Here's a video of one of my setups. The overflow and return lines are hidden under a rock next to the Mangroves. The lights are DIY with cree leds and 16° optics and mounted 5 1/2' above the tank.

 

[cedwards04]

That looks great. I like it!

 

[cedwards04]

This is a rough idea of what i am trying to accomplish. Basically using a tank/sofa to seperate the room into 2 different spaces. Probably put a few chairs along the walls closer to the front door (bottom of picture).