1-something "moving-I-should-upgrade" reef

[tlhood]

I recently decided that since I will be moving, and setting up my space in the developed basement, I would seize the opportunity to upgrade my tank.

I currently have an RSM 130D with retrofit LEDs, and a tunze skimmer. While it was great as a first tank (sumps were pretty daunting), I soon found it was quite small and I was pretty limited in how I wanted to set it up.

We don't get into the house until August 31, so I only have a vague idea of dimensions until I can get in there and tape it up in the space. I do know where it is going to go. Since the tank will be in the basement in close proximity to the utility room (rather than being on the second floor in a bedroom), I am going to section off part of the room (which is wonderfully massive) to have an actual space to mix and store water and my RODI system.

The plan so far is to set up a LPS/Softie dominant tank, but will probably have a few SPS. The setup will be something like:

Custom 3 sides starfire
Eurobrace
external overflow on the rear
bean animal
48WX22TX24D (subject to change) I'll upload some Sketchup awesomeness later.
metal stand which I will end up skinning myself
ATO reservoir
Fuge
And sump of unknown dimensions

I've gathered the majority of my equipment from some lovely people in the city (and in Edmonton). Only really have to buy one more light and plumbing gadgetry.

I will be starting with all new rock, probably dry pukani, and new sand.

[maron6977]

Can I make a suggestion : you might want to consider a deeper footprint. After years of looking at other people's tanks , I love it when there is some depth (front to back).
Think about 48x30x24H !!!
Just my 2 cents
Mark

[tlhood]

Actually I was originally planning to do 30 deep (coincidence!), but with the external overflow, I don't want the tank to be too far out into the room.

I will be marking tape for dimensions on the wall/floor once we get into the house - then hopefully I can decide whether I want a length of 48/60 and depth of 24/22/30. I think having a visual of the outline in the space will help (I hope!)

Too many options.

[Coralgurl]

Congrats on the house and good luck with your build!!! If there's anything you need for equipment, let me know as I'm still holding lots of stuff!

Cheers

[tlhood]

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

Congrats on the house and good luck with your build!!! If there's anything you need for equipment, let me know as I'm still holding lots of stuff!

Cheers

Thanks!

[tlhood]

After waiting 2 months that lasted 5 hundred years, we finally got possession of the new place this morning. Unfortunately, I realized the area I was planning to put the tank has built in speaker doodadthinggymajiggies (and as such that is where the TV will end up) and limits the areas I can work with. I now have two options.

I can put the tank in the main room downstairs, however there is a huge pool table there and I am not really comfortable with pool cues moving around the aquarium. (cringe)

My second option is to put it on the wall perpendicular to where the couch will be in the media room. I wouldn't mind that, however my roommate complains incessantly about the light from the aquarium and would probably continue to do so while watching TV. I suppose I could also put it behind the couch in the media room, but I don't really want to spend that kind of $$ on a beautiful tank and stand only to half hide it behind a couch and have your back to it 99% of the time.

Decisions....