Help me pick a spot for my tank...

[aquatix]

Hello all. New to the site but have been a hobbyist off and on for 15 years. I am looking for help in picking a spot for a 100 gallonish fish only tank. My new house is problematic in that it isn't set up great for aquariums:

detailed pics as if you were entering the house:

anyone see any good options? Is the one in #3 my best bet if I do a 6' tank and keep it two feet from the right window? Is it worth it or is there too many light/algae potential problems?

I'm looking to invest a good amount so I don't want to screw it up. I'd like it to be in a high traffic area, which would mean one of these pictures.

If these don't work, I have spots in my master bedroom that nobody but my wife and I would see...

 

[scottallert]

i would go with number 2 and have it viewable from both sides, if your gonna pay that much then you can throw some extra bucks into moving the light switch.

 

[aquatix]

Thanks Scott, #1 and #2 go together... Do you think the light would pose a maintainance problem? Would tinting the windows solve this?

 

[thegrun]

Outside light isn't an issue as long as you are not getting direct light which could cause heat issues. If you run a chiller, then even natural direct light is fine. If you want to light your tank at night, you may want to limit the natural light your tank gets, as fish should not get more than 12 to 14 hours of light a day.

 

[cwbhawk]

I like 3 and 4, but I would go with #3 because it looks like that area could use a nice big piece of furniture to bring the room together.

 

[aquatix]

cwbhawk - you like 3 or 4 better than built in the wall tank in 1/2? Is that just because you think that furniture is missing from the living room, or you're not a fan of the built in 1/2?

thegrun - So you don't think I'd get any additional algae in 1/2 or 3 from the sun light, if it isn't direct sunlight?

 

[THE ROOK]

I'd start with a stand alone & upgrade to the in-wall down the road. That way when you cut the hole in the wall you'll be sure your happy with the dimensions.

I actually like all those spots as it appears your home just rocks!

 

[scottallert]

you wont get additional algae just from a little bit of sunlight, there all good spots i just like the in wall so you cann see from both rooms

 

[aquatix]

I'm agonizing over this decision. I guess I need to get someone out and give me an estimate on what it would cost to bust out the wall (for 1/2), widen and support it...

 

[username in use]

i really like 3. I think any light hitting the tank wont give you the glare when your looking at it because of the angles of the windows to the tank. Also it is a nice size space, so it should seem nice and open. You could hang a nice light from the ceiling which would look good with your ceiling height. I think that 4 would make the transition from one room to the next might feel cramped with a big tank right next to the door like that. I like 1-2 but agree that you should wait to cut into the wall untill you really know what tank you want, especially since most of us in this hobby can hardly resist the occasional upgrade. Also, with 3, if there is a basement under there you could put all the equipment down there and make it really clean, and viewable from 3 sides instead of only 2.

 

[aquatix]

no basement underneath, but I wish

I just wonder how much work/what cost it would be to do the construction on 1/2.