Large (dream?!?)tank brainstorming thread, input appreciated!

[lockrookie]

When I dream of my dream tank. It turns into a nightmare

[untamed]

Originally Posted by nerdz

Ya, it'll be interesting to learn why?

I suspect it is because the cross brace is strong enough to climb on?

Yup, I crawl around on top of the tank... And crawl around underneath the tank. The tank also has a catwalk all the way around it. (The front catwalk is disguised as a bar)

Water changes are done using a pump. There are a lot of union valves throughout that enable pump maintenance. Just think maintenance on EVERYTHING that you plan.

[hondas3000]

Originally Posted by untamed

Yup, I crawl around on top of the tank... And crawl around underneath the tank. The tank also has a catwalk all the way around it. (The front catwalk is disguised as a bar)

Water changes are done using a pump. There are a lot of union valves throughout that enable pump maintenance. Just think maintenance on EVERYTHING that you plan.

have you get inside your tank as well? I did mine because I can't reach. But yeah planning is everything with dream tank as there is no room for error and if there is, its really hard to fix that's why it could be nightmare for others.

[untamed]

Ha... No, I've never been inside the tank...on purpose.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by smokinreefer

Great discussion!

The house does have a large crawl space, so hopefully I can utilize that.

My house in Victoria had a 3 foot crawl space. I put the chiller, pumps and UV down there. that little bit of equipment I got out of the stand gave me a lot more room.

Steve

[smokinreefer]

hey guys,

so I've got things slightly narrowed down, if were able to do the renos we want, my tank will be in the main living room, against a wall. if not, it'll be a peninsula between the family and dining room. either way it'll be 180-240gallons.

so as I don't have things finalized to design tank etc, what I can use some help with is equipment.

the first couple things i'd like to decide on is lighting and a skimmer.

i'm not quite sure if it'll be open top, or have a "canopy" that makes the tank look "in wall" if you know what i mean.

any suggestions on slick fixtures? i like the idea of "showing off" a pretty fixture, but i do not like the idea of light blasting/bleeding into our eyes, especiually if tank is in living room.

any suggestions on some slick fixtures, hybrid or other?

as for skimmer, i'm thinking i'll want to go oversized, mainly because i'm wanting to go sps dominant, and i like fish, and i tend to feed heavily...

let the games begin!

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by untamed

Ha... No, I've never been inside the tank...on purpose.

lol

[smokinreefer]

so finally decided on placement...
its going to go in between the front family room and the formal dining...
peninsula...

this is the look I'm after...


*this pic is not mine, found it on the net...

but interesting enough, the formal dining is a couple steps up from the family room, so set up will be similar.

on the lower side; family room side, I hope to add some bench seating. The stand & cabinetry will probably match whatever we decide on for the kitchen.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by untamed

Yup, I crawl around on top of the tank... And crawl around underneath the tank. The tank also has a catwalk all the way around it. (The front catwalk is disguised as a bar)

Water changes are done using a pump. There are a lot of union valves throughout that enable pump maintenance. Just think maintenance on EVERYTHING that you plan.

when you talk about it, it sounds fun.

in practice, that probably wouldn't last long...

[sumpfinfishe]

Hey Shao did you win the lotto

Chin had or still has a similar setup like your plans above, maybe drop him a pm and see if he has any advice.