My Boss's Tank Build/Ideas Help

Karliah

Karliah

Drug Maker Extraordinaire
My boss wants an aquarium in his office. He has a 55 gallon aquarium already, it's just not in the office yet, so I'm not sure if it's the taller or longer kind. He said he will give me a budget and I can do whatever I want. I'm not sure of the budget yet, but will post as soon as I do. He just has three "rules:" He wants colorful fish, no sump, and wants it to look clean (wires and equipment as hidden as possible in the display). The "no sump" rule comes from not wanting it to have any possibility of overflowing. Would a totally 100% sealed sump work properly, or does it need the open top to function? I was thinking some sort or water/air tight gasket sealed lid. Not sure. Totally sumpless would be ideal as I'm doubtful I can change his mind on that.
He said it has no top, and wants to order a nice hood for it, I'm thinking he's talking about the large wood cover/cabinet type tops. Also not sure if thats included in the budget based on the way he was saying it. Any suggestions?
If (more than likely) we do no sump, what sort of filters should I be running? I'll probably have some type of HOB refugium on the back as well (depending on what the top allows) since I'm a big fan of fuges.
He's going to go with me to pick out fish when the time comes, but we'll have a while to think about it. We are only open monday through friday, so anything in there needs to be able to survive 2 days without food, maybe 3 every once in a while if there's a holiday. What would you guys put in? I'm open to all suggestions. I'm kind of considering a predator tank, but thinking he wants some more color and movement than that. (Yes I know it'd be more work without the sump to do a predator tank)
Basically it's just a totally clean slate, and I'd like ideas/suggestions from you all to help me with this.
I'll update with lots of pictures as everything progresses.
 
Honestly I wouldnt do it for your boss.... given some of the unrealistic expectations you listed, he will never be happy.

my 0.02
 
Yeah this would worry me with the limitations of no sump, wanting fish based on how colorful they are, etc.. I +1 indymann with unrealistic expectations.. Imagine if you set this up and you get a dino fight that never ends, im sure your boss wouldn't be too happy.

I hope you do great, thou.. I would just warn him about possible problems and with a reef, there really is never a "budget" lol

Good luck buddy!
 
Aside from a very basic tank with very easy to care for fish and no corals, I would never set up a tank for anyone unless I was being paid. If I'm going to stress over something and feel responsible for it's success, I'm going to get paid for it. Most people aren't prepared for the time it takes for a saltwater tank to mature and if he's looking for someone else to do it, he's probably not aware of just how many common "episodes" they will go through in the first year or 2. It's inevitable. I'd get your boss in contact with a LFS that offers to set up AND service the tank.
 
The only rule that works in this situation is the first one. The other two are on opposite ends of the hobby spectrum.
 
Asking for colorful fish and no sump counts as unrealistic expectations? Sorry but I'd have to disagree. If he came out saying I want it perfectly clean all the time and virtually maintenance free that's one thing, but there are HOB skimmers and fuges that would replace a sump. And most fish are colorful... You can hide a heater behind a rock if needed to keep it out of sight.

As for caring for it and such, yea I'd look into local shops to see what they charge. If you want to do it, thats fine, but I would ask for compensation since it is outside your normal job. Have the local shop figures to go off of when asking for that pay.
 
You probably would be better off trying to convince him to go with a packaged system (all in one) like one of the Red Sea Aquariums.
 
Once you have a budget I would reach out to a reputable LFS that does installations and maintenance. Have them come in for a consultation with the boss included. They can provide proposals on a system that will work to meet as many needs as possible. They can provide a turn key installation as well as setup a routine maintenance contract.

In this way you become the project facilitator. When something goes wrong its harder to blame you.
 
Refugium L Protein Skimmer Reef Marine 75g w/ Pump HOB Sump PS 25" New on ebay for 125$.(perfect) SunSun canister filter for 40 - 50$ run the hoses into the h.o.b sum threw the back. Heater can fit in the back aswell. I bought a Aquamana 165 watt for 50 $ on ebay so you can certainly find things new an used within a reasonable 400 - 500 budget.. maybe 300
 
For the hood tell him wood is tacky and to just get a glass top with some rags. (unless its mahogany wood, or cherry) 200 $ that really begs for a 300 $ matching stand
 
The trick will be to find a maintenance company that he can get along with, do that and you will sleep fine. I setup my bosses tank in 2000, he has now retired and leases his office out but the tank still has the same maintenance fish guy. The tank is a 150 gallon with glass tops and a giesemann moonlight fixture. The power cord comes in from the ceiling with the transformer mounted above the ceiling. The fixture is held up with aircraft cable and also supports the one power cable. It is a full reef with a wetdry filter and is extremely quiet. Buy seasoned liverock, most want to see a great looking tank and do not want to wait for the cycle.
 
KStatefan said:
I hope I never end up in the ICU you work at.
Click to expand...

I mean with asenine crap like this. Dyin' people are a different story.

Edit:
Even then your gonna get sued. You'd puke at the amount of depositions I've had to give against people who wouldn't even be alive to sue anyone if it wasn't for the people they are suing.

Everyone out for a quick buck. Mind blowing really.
 
Last edited:
At minimum go with your boss to a GOOD LFS get a realistic plan together and put it down on paper.

No surprises may help in job security....
 
Agreed...

Opens you up for all types of drama about health/look of the tank, deaths, costs, etc...
 
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