kirkaz
Jade
I'm afraid the good stuff is still a year away on this, right now I'm looking for opinions, help, and advice from people with experience in these builds.
My wife and I are in the final design phases of a custom home. Hope to break ground late this year. Basically we have a "game room", we're looking at a 6x4x2.5 peninsula build, and an 8x4x2.5 in wall behind the bar....I took a picture of the architect's rendering.
Couple things first...In order to have a little higher ceilings in the Great Room below, she did a "split level" second floor. The Aquarium Service Room will be 2 feet lower than the room where the tanks are. Not ideal, but I figure I can handle it. One tank will be a true FOWLR, the other a Reef.
First Questions...I'm starting to think I'm better off having the peninsula build be the FOWLR as access will perhaps not be as easy....Thoughts? The fish in current 240 would go in here. Also any suggestions for my builder as to how to add additional access to the tank (the side toward the bar) other than in the service area, but still having "wall" above the tank?
Next Question...Based on any experience, is a 4 foot wide in wall tank (weather FO or reef) going to be a nightmare to work with? I.E. should I consider going to 3 feet wide? Would love to hear thoughts from anyone with a 4 foot wide in wall.
Equipment....I need to have this planned out somewhat now, it will be a big expense and want it worked into the loan. Comfortable with what I will need for the FO. I've been in the hobby a long time, but not much reef experience so need advice there. I'm thinking of using EcoTech Marine heavily. If the 8 footer ends up the reef, was thinking 4 Vortech MP 60's to go with 2 ReeFlo Barracuda Gold Pumps for the returns. For lighting, was thinking 8 of the EcoTech Radions. For right now, thinking mostly Softies and LPS, but certainly want it to be SPS capable. How am I doing here? Fairly comfortable picking a skimmer, tank will be moderate as far as fish stocking, what else do I need? Calcium reactor? or just a quality Dosing Pump? Probably do a chiller on both, so appreciate suggestions there.
Looking for suggestions on how to set up the service room as well....Thinking 2 55 gallon QT/Frag Tanks. The smaller has steps up to the level of the tank, probably have the builder do similar on the bigger tank, perhaps a quality step stool is just as good. The FOWLR is likely to have a true Wet/Dry, I know I know, they're out of style, but I still think they do a good job and are very simple. The sumps will be bigger than they are in the picture though.
I appreciate all warnings, suggestions, opinions and advice. Certainly want to plan this out right.
My wife and I are in the final design phases of a custom home. Hope to break ground late this year. Basically we have a "game room", we're looking at a 6x4x2.5 peninsula build, and an 8x4x2.5 in wall behind the bar....I took a picture of the architect's rendering.
Couple things first...In order to have a little higher ceilings in the Great Room below, she did a "split level" second floor. The Aquarium Service Room will be 2 feet lower than the room where the tanks are. Not ideal, but I figure I can handle it. One tank will be a true FOWLR, the other a Reef.
First Questions...I'm starting to think I'm better off having the peninsula build be the FOWLR as access will perhaps not be as easy....Thoughts? The fish in current 240 would go in here. Also any suggestions for my builder as to how to add additional access to the tank (the side toward the bar) other than in the service area, but still having "wall" above the tank?
Next Question...Based on any experience, is a 4 foot wide in wall tank (weather FO or reef) going to be a nightmare to work with? I.E. should I consider going to 3 feet wide? Would love to hear thoughts from anyone with a 4 foot wide in wall.
Equipment....I need to have this planned out somewhat now, it will be a big expense and want it worked into the loan. Comfortable with what I will need for the FO. I've been in the hobby a long time, but not much reef experience so need advice there. I'm thinking of using EcoTech Marine heavily. If the 8 footer ends up the reef, was thinking 4 Vortech MP 60's to go with 2 ReeFlo Barracuda Gold Pumps for the returns. For lighting, was thinking 8 of the EcoTech Radions. For right now, thinking mostly Softies and LPS, but certainly want it to be SPS capable. How am I doing here? Fairly comfortable picking a skimmer, tank will be moderate as far as fish stocking, what else do I need? Calcium reactor? or just a quality Dosing Pump? Probably do a chiller on both, so appreciate suggestions there.
Looking for suggestions on how to set up the service room as well....Thinking 2 55 gallon QT/Frag Tanks. The smaller has steps up to the level of the tank, probably have the builder do similar on the bigger tank, perhaps a quality step stool is just as good. The FOWLR is likely to have a true Wet/Dry, I know I know, they're out of style, but I still think they do a good job and are very simple. The sumps will be bigger than they are in the picture though.
I appreciate all warnings, suggestions, opinions and advice. Certainly want to plan this out right.
