Distance to wall?

[CarrieB]

I'm moving a 150 tall into my house this weekend and obsessing about placement as I'm not moving it twice.

So, how far away from the wall do you have your tank and why? I'm worried that I might need to put something back there that I haven't thought of. Also, where do you put your ATO reservoir?

Any other considerations I should be taking into account? One placement I am considering would give me space down both sides and the other one has a wall down one side. Thoughts?

 

[A.Astore]

I have my 150 as close to the wall as it can go but I have nothing that hangs behind it other than the electrical cords. I purchased two of the power stripes that are flat at the plug so that I could have the stand against the kick molding and still be able to unplug them if I needed for some reason. I have JUST enough room to unplug the power stripes and the outlet is just behind the one side of the stand.

We have ours so you can see on three sides. It works well for us because the kids can move around and see behind the rocks easily. There are a few spots they can't see in the center of the tank behind the rocks, but the majority of the tank can be seen from one of the three sides open. I can't really think of a valid reason other than that for not having it against a second wall.

 

[sde1500]

I have just enough space to fit the plumbing without touching the wall.

 

[fishchef]

We recently moved a 125 that had been about 3-4 inches from the wall for about 7 years. There was major paint damage that extended in areas not behind the tank also. In hindsight I would have a SW as far a possible from the wall. The quality of paint might also be a factor.

 

[MondoBongo]

i like to position mine about 3 - 4 inches from the wall in back of it, and as much space on either side as possible.

my ATO started off under the stand, but i've migrated it to under the second stand i have to the left of my main tank with my cube on it. i also bought a nice looking cabinet that sits to the right of my main tank, that hides most of my electrical stuff, controller, and other odds and ends like dry food and fragging supplies.

 

[PatW]

I have enough space in the back so that I can get my arm back there to run my mag algae scraper. Also, I think having enough space for air flow out of the back of the cabinet helps keep temperature down.

 

[billdogg]

We recently moved a 125 that had been about 3-4 inches from the wall for about 7 years. There was major paint damage that extended in areas not behind the tank also. In hindsight I would have a SW as far a possible from the wall. The quality of paint might also be a factor.

Exactly what I was going to say. My 60g cube sat about 4" from the wall, but it used a canister and a HOB for filtration, so there was no spash/spillage. At my last house, I had a 120 with just enough clearance for the plumbing. I was repairing plaster and lathing the day I moved the tank out. Good thing I didn't have anything else to do that day!My current 120 sits 6+ inches from the wall and it's back is almost completely closed in so it all looks good so far.....

If you have the room to do it, the extra space in back makes life much easier in the long run.

 

[gone fishin]

Mine is about 6 inches from the wall. My plumbing runs behind the stand to my sump in the utility room on the opposite side of the wall. I find it handy to be able to get a broom back there on occasion.