New Member to the Large Reef Tank

[drauka99]

i woudl look for a place that has a room with or close to water and a drain that was about 4x6 atleast

 

[mcliffy2]

For your sized tank, I'd say 6x8 at least, but 8x10 would be better. A drain is nice (although I make due without one using a mag 9 and brute trash can on wheels for water changes), and ventilation is key, you'll probably want to install a fan to deal with the moisture. Other than that you'll need good electrical, probably 2-3 circuits dedicated for the tank and of course a way to plumb through the wall (or floor if its on a different floor than the tank).

 

[UH_OH_5_OH]

That brings up a question.....what is the benefit/detriment to having the fish room drain to a lower floor ? Is there a real danger from the weight of the tank on an upper floor....figuring it weigh almost 2500 lbs full !?!

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12722637#post12722637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UH_OH_5_OH
That brings up a question.....what is the benefit/detriment to having the fish room drain to a lower floor ? Is there a real danger from the weight of the tank on an upper floor....figuring it weigh almost 2500 lbs full !?!

You are forgetting the weight of the sump, rocks, tank and stand That bad boy will probably top out around 3500 lbs. Bracing the floor is a very serious concern. The extra 500+ lbs from a sump could make a difference...I'm no expert in this area, so I'll defer to others, but if you put this on a main floor you'll need to check if your floor can handle it, and possibly brace it if it can't. That said, I don't think the decision whether or not to have the fish room on a lower floor will really be effected by the need to brace...if you are at the point where a sump is the difference between bracing and not, you are going to want to brace the floor just in case.

 

[PoukieBear]

FINALLY !! I got the pictures from IMAC, and the new tank that we won !!

For some reason, it looks really small in these pictures...

 

[Mache62]

1st - congratulations on winning the tank! It's nice to see someone actually post what they do with one after they win.

2nd - there are a couple of threads on here about basement sump rooms. I have my filtration in the basement also. It's a big help in keeping the tank cool in the summer and not as much evaporation in the winter.

Here's the link to the thread that helped me a lot:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=769218

Good luck and keep posting updates!

 

[UH_OH_5_OH]

Thanks so much for the link.....I'll subscribe to it !

 

[tolthoff]

Wow!! congrats on the 300gal score! I am currently setting up a 240gal reef tank and agree with the above comments. I am using a two tank sump system with a rubbermaid 70gal stock tank (to be filled with lr) and a custom 65g acrylic sump tank, set up in line. I put my tank on the first floor of my house, above a basement. It is positioned against a load-bearing wall that continues to the basement floor. In the basement this wall is concrete block. The tank sits perpendicular to the floor joists (crossing 5 of them). I also added two posts to support extra weight, each capable of holding 9000lbs. I figure my 240 system will weigh about 3500lbs complete, so I should be safe. Putting the tank on the first floor also allows for plumbing to the basement. This allows for my pumps, skimmer, heaters, and other equipment to stay downstairs, isolating the noise. Also, it makes water changes, and maintanance much easier. I can turn off the pumps, close a few valves, and drain my sump tank into a floor drain, for a water change. My wife is very happy that there is no mess in the family room. Good luck with everything!!

 

[UH_OH_5_OH]

Yeah the more I think of it....the more I like the basement plumbing idea ! Its just safer IMO !

 

[mx36]

I am looking at getting the same aquarium when I get my new home built. I was wondering of the 36" side panel how much of that is lost with the corner overflow? I am planning on doing an in wall build but want it viewable from one side panel as well, with the overflow on the back side of the wall so it won't be visable. Thanks

 

[UH_OH_5_OH]

The corner flows are 8 3/4 ins wide which leaves 26 3/8ths ins of viewing space from the sides ! I think we'll probably do something similar to this with the rear portion inset into a maintenance room !

 

[mx36]

Thanks, that is what I was looking for. I am planing on leaving some room between the overflow and the wall so I can mount a vortech pump and keep the motor portion back in the maintenance room.

 

[tolthoff]

Tagging along... let me know if you need crushed coral/argonite sand for your tank. I ordered way too much for my build and probably have at least 100# of each left over. I am in the chicagland area. Thanks.