Dream room, help.

Markw31

Markw31

New member
I have added a family room on to my house. I built an additional 10'x10' room that is below the level of the tank so I can still gravity feed the sumps. This "pump" room will be totally dedicated to everything and anything related to my tank.
I currently have a 125g reef ready tank. I have the chance to purchase an established 250g reef ready tank with all the stock. I plan on doing the upgrade.
I have only been in the hobby for 4 years. If you had a room as I have described, what would you do with it? I am not rich by any means but I do intend to sink quite a bit of money into this endeavor. I am really interested in your ideas.
 
10*10 feet is not huge but 250g is certainly a reasonable size for that size of a fish room to support. This is what I would want in it (disclaimer, I dont have a fish room of my own but I will some day):

1. sump, raised to a nice height (3+ feet) with RO storage underneath (for mixing and top off)
2. SW mixing tank off
3. quarantine tank (s)
4. frag tank plumbed into the system
5. some kind of floor drain would be nice, if possible
6. a large sink for cleaning things, cleaning SW off arms
7. a work surface for fragging
8. possibly space for an external skimmer if that's what you decide on
9. wall mounted rack of tank electric/electronic gear including backup batteries
10. im sure i missed stuff, others will chime in

also if i were you i would use the search because im sure there have been a lot of threads about peoples fish rooms and what they would have done differently in hindsight.
 
I have the ability to install a sink.
And I already installed the floor drain.
I am planning on a frag tank.
Are external skimmers the way to go?
I will definitely do a search for the fish room. I actuall didn't think of that. Thanks for the response. Makes me feel like I am moving in the right direction.
 
I guess as far as the fish room goes I may need some of you guys to help me design it. I am finishing the Sheetrock now and will need to paint. I will be posting pictures soon. Any design ideas would be a great help. After reading a lot of your guys post on the forums I see how big of an endeavor I have taken on.
 
What about sump/refuge design ideas? I have seen thousands online. Any build better than the others?
 
image.jpgJust sanded the sheetrock for the last time and did the final touch up. A little light sanding and I am ready for paint. I used the "green" board which is mold resistant. I am planning on painting tomorrow.
The heating and air company install the mini split unit today, which will not only control the temperature in the room but also the dehumidify the air. It's an additional cost but the peace of mind is worth it to me.
I still have to reinforce the floor under the new tank that is coming. I am suppose to pick up the 250g tank Saturday.
 
Following closely. I am building one too. Not from scratch like you Mark, just putting one in an unused corner of basement that has a drain. Rwb had some good ideas. I hadn't thought to put the quarantine tank down there. And I like the idea of a sink to wash up. Now I am thinking of maybe putting in shelves for shoebox size storage boxes. Was going to use these to grow copepods and blackworms. I was going to continue to grow them in the laundry room, but this would be better. And I want to put in one of those new auto water changers. Have you seen those? Talk about a dream come true.
Looks good so far Mark, good luck! Following!
 
Thanks for the encouragement. Everyone has been great. You will have to share how you have been growing your Copepods. I would like to do that as well.
I just finished the last coat of paint. I went with Crashing Wave blue. I used a kitchen & bath paint. Hopefully that will help with keeping any problems away. I will post some pics later.
Thanksgiving slowed me down. I have my wood cut for my floor bracing, I just have to install it now. I think I may have issues. My wife asked me "All this for fish!" I just smiled and shook my head yes. She just laughed.
D2mini, I read in one of your posts about not reusing the sand. I am picking up a tank that has been running for 7 years. Do you think I should toss the sand? I would hate to either waste it or kill everything in my tank. I am also getting 250 lbs of rock. I plan on moving it in a 100 gallon Rubbermaid container. Any advice? I loved those tanks you have for your salt water and RO water. How big are they and where did you get them?
I wish Saturday would hurry up and get here.
 
Markw31 said:
D2mini, I read in one of your posts about not reusing the sand. I am picking up a tank that has been running for 7 years. Do you think I should toss the sand? I would hate to either waste it or kill everything in my tank. I am also getting 250 lbs of rock. I plan on moving it in a 100 gallon Rubbermaid container. Any advice? I loved those tanks you have for your salt water and RO water. How big are they and where did you get them?
I wish Saturday would hurry up and get here.
Click to expand...

Without a doubt, don't use the sand as is. It's pretty toxic with god knows what in it.
If you don't want to buy new sand, at least give this old sand a thorough rinsing. Several times.
But you seem kinda like me, wanting to do things right the first time around even if it costs a bit more upfront... I'd get new sand. ;)

My storage tanks are 65g and purchased from my local Tractor Supply.
www.tractorsupply.com
 
Yeah. I tossed the sand. I'm going to pick a couple of the tanks up tomorrow. Thanks for the info.
I picked the entire 250g system up yesterday. He gave me everything you could think of. It was a great deal for all the extras, I was just happy to get the tank and sump but with all the bonuses it made it over the top. :)
I got the base cabinet built, the tank set, and plumbed last night. I am putting in the new sand and live rock. I hope to have it up and cycling tonight.
 
Following along. I am in the process of an in wall tank build as well. I have never had a tank room before so I am still at a loss how to arrange everything. My room isn't very big-under a set of stairs and I plan on a 110 gallon tank viewable on 3 sides. I have already bought a lot of the equipment but have yet to pull the trigger on ordering my tank.
 
I am having the same problem with arranging my room. I am sketching some different ideas at the moment. I have a basic refuge/sump set up in my room to get things cycling. I will post my first idea soon to get you guys take on it.
 
pump

pump

first thing i would invest in is the largest most cost effective pump i could find. with the tank and fish room being in separate locations i would worry about getting the water back to the tank first before i add additional items... if you had to make plumbing changes,,, now would be a good time being that the room is empty/or not fully stocked. think about what you want now and what you might want in the future. leave your self an upgradable section in your plumbing where you can add or move thing to.
 
I have been putting in a lot of extra hours in at work so I havent completed as much as I have wanted to. I was able to drill my own tanks with a diamond hole saw. ��. I will take a few pictures tonight when I get home and post them.
 
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