Building a House with a Large Fish Tank- Need your Advice
- Thread starter Socaltoaz
- Start date
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
If an 8 ft long x 4-5ft wide x 2-3 ft tall is not big enough, then I would go longer or that space must be that big.
bullitr
broke but happy
danfeig
.Registered Member
Welcome to Reef Central!
Thank you for your message. It looks like you have the opportunity to really build something special!
I am biased, but I love big tanks! My main display is 8' wide x 4' high x 3.6' deep. Based upon what you wrote, I have several suggestions, thoughts and concerns. It is difficult for me to put them all in writing tonight. One concern is that your fish room will be so far away from the main display. It adds another level of potential issues, in the event something went wrong. IMO, you'd still want a sump beneath your tank and some filtration hidden in cabinetry.
The location of the tank looks fantastic. If you can create access to the tank from both sides, it will certainly help with maintenance. In the fish wall, as well as the fish room, I would make sure you have plenty of dedicated circuits "can't have too many", drains and if you can, perhaps an exhaust fan in the soffit above the tank. Another thing you might want to consider in the soffit is a mini split or separate a/c that cools the soffit and your tank. I chose to go this route for my fish room instead of a separate chiller.
You should try to decide upfront, fish only with live rock, or reef. With a tank of this depth, it will help you make decisions as to the type of lighting you will want to go with - given space requirements, coral requirements, heat, etc.
You'll get all sorts of opinions here about glass vs. acrylic. I chose to go with glass. It is more expensive and a lot heavier than acrylic. My main reasonings for going with glass was a fear of getting scratches. My tank is in my living room and I can't afford to have it dirty or scratched. It wasn't but a couple of years ago, I bid out my tank with a dozen companies, both glass and acrylic across the country. I will be able to share estimates with you.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you have and will think about other suggestions for you. If you and your wife wanted to take a drive down to Tucson, I'd also be happy to show you my system and go over the pros/cons with you in person. I could also have a couple of other knowledgeable hobbyists over to answer any questions or share with you there two cents. You'll probably find a lot of answers on my build thread. Like you, I waited to build this system until a time in my life where I would not have to cut corners and could afford quality components.
Good luck with everything and have fun with the process!
Thank you for your message. It looks like you have the opportunity to really build something special!
I am biased, but I love big tanks! My main display is 8' wide x 4' high x 3.6' deep. Based upon what you wrote, I have several suggestions, thoughts and concerns. It is difficult for me to put them all in writing tonight. One concern is that your fish room will be so far away from the main display. It adds another level of potential issues, in the event something went wrong. IMO, you'd still want a sump beneath your tank and some filtration hidden in cabinetry.
The location of the tank looks fantastic. If you can create access to the tank from both sides, it will certainly help with maintenance. In the fish wall, as well as the fish room, I would make sure you have plenty of dedicated circuits "can't have too many", drains and if you can, perhaps an exhaust fan in the soffit above the tank. Another thing you might want to consider in the soffit is a mini split or separate a/c that cools the soffit and your tank. I chose to go this route for my fish room instead of a separate chiller.
You should try to decide upfront, fish only with live rock, or reef. With a tank of this depth, it will help you make decisions as to the type of lighting you will want to go with - given space requirements, coral requirements, heat, etc.
You'll get all sorts of opinions here about glass vs. acrylic. I chose to go with glass. It is more expensive and a lot heavier than acrylic. My main reasonings for going with glass was a fear of getting scratches. My tank is in my living room and I can't afford to have it dirty or scratched. It wasn't but a couple of years ago, I bid out my tank with a dozen companies, both glass and acrylic across the country. I will be able to share estimates with you.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you have and will think about other suggestions for you. If you and your wife wanted to take a drive down to Tucson, I'd also be happy to show you my system and go over the pros/cons with you in person. I could also have a couple of other knowledgeable hobbyists over to answer any questions or share with you there two cents. You'll probably find a lot of answers on my build thread. Like you, I waited to build this system until a time in my life where I would not have to cut corners and could afford quality components.
Good luck with everything and have fun with the process!
L8ndeb
Registered Reef Keeper
I also agree on the few posts about a tank so deep. I have a 36" cube, and even a 36" deep tank to me is kinda a hassle. In the past, all tanks were 24" or shallower. It made it very easy to service the tank, remove or move things needing so. I now find I need a step ladder to do these things. As a result, they probably do not get done as much as they should.
I would consider a 24" deep tank, and use the stand, tank, and cabinetry to create your wall.
JMHO
I would consider a 24" deep tank, and use the stand, tank, and cabinetry to create your wall.
JMHO
jjk_reef00
New member
I personally like tall tanks and with that much water volume I would go 10' long acrylic or 8' longif you go with glass. As danfeig stated you need to consider how you are going to filter your tank. Overflows, returns, skimmers, sump design and placement, cooling and air ccirculation are just basic things you need to consider and they are all critical design aspects of large tanks. I recommend you post in the local FRAG forum here on RC and go personally look at as many large tank setups as possible before you settle on anything. Write out your plans and try to think of every possibility before hand.
alton
Well-known member
The only caution I would throw into this is if you plan on ever selling this house it will be a tough sell with a built in tank. A couple of our local reefers who had built in tanks and then tried to sell there house, had to rip them out and patch the walls. Hopefully in the next 5 years I have mine built in, but I am never moving. Same place for 29 years
The tank will be accessible from all 4 sides- it will act as a wall which is visible from all sides so Im not concerned about the depth of the tank. I think 36 inches will look good. I wish I could go wider but I need space on both sides of the tank as walkways into the bar. 7 feet (84 inches) is about as wide as I can go. Ive settled on 48 inch height. Would have loved to have done 60 inches but the exponential cost is something Id rather put into proper filtration.
Regarding the 32k budget for a tank this size, this is within line of what Im willing to spend on construction to do it proper. Would you say that this includes all lighting, filtration etc? Or should I be looking to spend more for that?
Finally with regards to reef vs FO, Im honestly torn- the reef tanks look gorgeous that are posted and really would look dramatic. Its been a while and frankly I want something thats relatively hassle free. My brain tells me to go fish only with artificial coral and some sharks, angels triggers etc. Keep some larger fish in there and keep it simple My heart tells me to put a kick *** reef tank with critters shrimp, coral etc.
However, as much as I would like to follow my heart, I will probably follow my brain and go fish only simply because every single thread Ive read, the process of setting up a reef looks great and the tanks look great and virtually every single one has an issue of some sort down the line where fish die, coral die.
I think simplicity is best here and Im strongly leaning towards fish only- some dramatic fish that will make a statement in the tank and the space.
Regarding the 32k budget for a tank this size, this is within line of what Im willing to spend on construction to do it proper. Would you say that this includes all lighting, filtration etc? Or should I be looking to spend more for that?
Finally with regards to reef vs FO, Im honestly torn- the reef tanks look gorgeous that are posted and really would look dramatic. Its been a while and frankly I want something thats relatively hassle free. My brain tells me to go fish only with artificial coral and some sharks, angels triggers etc. Keep some larger fish in there and keep it simple My heart tells me to put a kick *** reef tank with critters shrimp, coral etc.
However, as much as I would like to follow my heart, I will probably follow my brain and go fish only simply because every single thread Ive read, the process of setting up a reef looks great and the tanks look great and virtually every single one has an issue of some sort down the line where fish die, coral die.
I think simplicity is best here and Im strongly leaning towards fish only- some dramatic fish that will make a statement in the tank and the space.
NyteGTI
Member
it's a slippery slope though. Most people will always want to have more once they have what they have. The "I can handle the next level" mentality kicks in :lolspin:
Monkeyfish
Active member
You need to have a method for dealing with the humidity/evaporation. A tank that size could cause problems with mold, etc. if this is not addressed.
A Reef Scene
New member
A large eel will look great in that tank.
Reef Reactor
Member
Very nice design and plan floor. I am very interesting about how you will place this setup.
As Monkeyfish told you, take in consideration humidity and evaporation, because you don´t want to have that in your home. Take in consideration how will you ventilate your tank.
As Monkeyfish told you, take in consideration humidity and evaporation, because you don´t want to have that in your home. Take in consideration how will you ventilate your tank.
danfeig
.Registered Member
Something you may consider is an air exchanger. Essentially it is two exhaust fans. One that takes the hot air out another that brings fresh air from the outside in... The fresh air helps keep your PH up! It's important when you close in your tank like you are planning.
