Chasing a Dream in Toronto

[bioload]

While sitting in the office the other day looking at my current 75 gallon in process, I thought to myself, I've been in this hobby for quite some time and still nowhere near having that "œdream tank" I envisioned when I first started out.

I can think of many reasons for not getting there, but in the end it came down to too many pursuits getting in the way. After all, it's not how many things you're working on, it's how many of them you complete. Each extra or an additional goal to further splits your available resources.

The first factor in setting up my tank, and one of the reasons I never really got started was cost. This hobby can siphon funds really quick, but it's not necessarily how much you spend, but what you spend it on, and when. For example, my 75 gallon is at the point where I'm finally comfortable managing parameters and general maintenance to start adding corals. The filtration, lighting and flow are all great for now, but it is not the tank I've envisioned.

Factoring the amount of $$$ that has gone into this tank which may ultimately be shut down, and others along the way, I would have been well on my way to completing my "œdream tank"

Though setting up a reef tank is not my "œsole priority and focus" in the grand scheme of things, I have been distracted by other "œhobbies", and different aspects of this one which take my attention away from my goal. That being said I've decided to stop work on the 75 gallon and begin planning towards my "œsole priority and focus" as far as hobbies go.

My Inspiration:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-03/totm/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/totm/index.php
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1535215
http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_circulation.htm
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1599945
......and of course.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1640915
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1827226
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1811725

Although my tank will be modest in scale to some of my inspiration, I hope I can achieve the same quality and attention to detail that has been demonstrated......so let's get started.

My vision is a main floor ~224 gallon 4 sided view with a dedicated fish room directly below the tank. Here are a few rough sketches to begin.....cost will be a factor so it's going to be a long road.

 

[SaltwaterChris]

Cool drawing,but if I was doing it I would only do one overflow.I have two and hate it.

 

[bioload]

Cool drawing,but if I was doing it I would only do one overflow.I have two and hate it.

Thanks Chris....I like your suggestion of a single overflow. Many of the choices ahead will be based on personal taste and preference, and i would like to get as much input as I can on this build. I'm still in the planning stages and changes can be made with a few simple mouse clicks. I foresee some challenges of having an island overflow.

One concern will be incorporating it into the aqua-scape to prevent recreating a scene from Space Odyssey. I would like to avoid piling up rocks around it/them to maintain good flow. Maybe some concrete with some subtle shelves.

The overflow will house the drains (size and number TBD) and the electrical for power heads and canopy if necessary (both TBD). The sketch is a 72"x30"x24" tall with two 6" x 6" or a single 12" x 6" overflow for perspective.

 

[muttley000]

Tagging along, you are part of my research for an upcoming project like yours...epic by my standards even though it pales in comaprison to some here!

 

[bioload]

Tagging along, you are part of my research for an upcoming project like yours...epic by my standards even though it pales in comaprison to some here!

Glad to have you aboard muttley000. I'll be looking for a lot of advice along the way as well. Whether 50 or 5000, a sustained mixed reef is quite an accomplishment and something to be proud of.

 

[bioload]

More Planning

More Planning

Of course all plans will need to be finalized with my project manager. Here are a few sketches that I submitted for her approval tonight.

It's been a long day, so please excuse the floating couch in the background.

 

[spsreeflover]

Good idea



"Most Beautiful Life Form of Mother Nature"

 

[nikon187]

depending on how many holes you plan on drilling, your overflow will need to be longer than 12 inches. you need 2 inches from the sides for each hole and if going with 1.5 inch drains ( which require a 2.5 inch hole) it wont be big enough. lets say one drain ( 1.5) one return ( 1 inch ) and one hole for power ( 1 inch) You overflow will need to be a minimum of 13.5 inches long for one 1.5 inch hole and two 1 inch holes and 7 inches wide.

 

[bioload]

Good idea



"Most Beautiful Life Form of Mother Nature"

Thank you spsreeflover, the challenge will be getting the idea to reality, especially on a relatively modest budget and time to invest. Though progress might be slow, starting down the road and maintaining focus is my goal.

 

[bioload]

depending on how many holes you plan on drilling, your overflow will need to be longer than 12 inches. you need 2 inches from the sides for each hole and if going with 1.5 inch drains ( which require a 2.5 inch hole) it wont be big enough. lets say one drain ( 1.5) one return ( 1 inch ) and one hole for power ( 1 inch) You overflow will need to be a minimum of 13.5 inches long for one 1.5 inch hole and two 1 inch holes and 7 inches wide.

Thanks for the heads up Nikon187. I have few decisions regarding plumbing which will need to be made. Once finalized we'll size the overflow accordingly, however, I would like to keep it as small as possible without compromising function.....more on this to come.

 

[bioload]

The room is conveniently a blank canvas at the moment (literally). I enjoy finally building a tank where the remainder of the space can be designed to accommodate it's footprint. Any and all ideas are welcomed, but my wife (The Boss) has the final say.

The first layout was my initial plan for the space with the tank being the focal point at the far end of the room. Structurally I favoured the location due to the fish room to be partitioned directly below. The partitioning wall below would be used to support the addition of two beams at one end, with the joist running parallel to the tank.

After seeing the design and the available space, being at the end of the room will diminish the benefits of having a 4 sided tank. The remainder of the space seems to be lacking identity as well with the primary dining room and living room side by side. It would either need to be a large formal dining room, or a living room, definitely not both.

We are leaning to the second layout more. In addition to supporting the tank's weight being a challenge, there will be added distance to the fish room. With plans on finishing the basement, I'm not willing to add any support columns right in the middle of the basement. The room is 12' wide and there is currently 3' on either side. I'm not too worried about traffic, but a cramped space is something I would like to avoid as well

I'll have to find some options on how to handle the weight load that will be sitting right in the center of a 12' span. I have some thoughts on this, but does anyone know of any practical and proven options for supporting 3000lbs?

 

[muttley000]

I beams between the joists and the load connected to your footings. I would employ a structural engineer familiar with your area to be safe.

 

[kuyatwo]

A member in our local fish club has a tank like that problem he had was wiring to lights as he had vaulted ceilings also how to hide the wiring to pumps like vortices and tunzes


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- Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[geaux xman]

Heres something similiar to the direction you are heading.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1535215&page=4

 

[bioload]

I beams between the joists and the load connected to your footings. I would employ a structural engineer familiar with your area to be safe.

......:thumbsup:

Or replace the existing joist with I beams? I question the use of posts in general because the slab itself isn't a solid footing.

The I beams would span 12' from foundation wall to foundation wall.

Any structural engineers?

 

[bioload]

A member in our local fish club has a tank like that problem he had was wiring to lights as he had vaulted ceilings also how to hide the wiring to pumps like vortices and tunzes


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- Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi kuyatwo, Was your friend able to resolve the problem?

I'm plamming on adding a bulkhead and pvc pipe as a conduit for any electrical that will be required. I'm still undecided on a canopy though.

 

[bioload]

Heres something similiar to the direction you are heading.

Hi geaux xman, summer6's tank was an inspiration for my setup. Nice to have so many that are willing to take the time to share there experiences.

 

[bioload]

A Change in direction?.....and a few more sketches.

 

[bioload]

 

[ptan]

check this out: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1799736