Hi all,
I am in the early stages of plotting and planning my first salt water tank. I am an IT guy, love electronics, and enjoy building things. I like designing simple well thought out systems that delight the user and are easy to maintain. I also don't want to over complicate things with expensive components that will wear out, need replacement, or come with functions I would rather build myself. (No Apex controller) I have a KISS mentality and a healthy fear of automaton.
That said one of my goals for this project is an elegant water storage and changing system. When I am done with this build I want to be able to turn a valve or flip a switch to send water down the drain and use another to add fresh saltwater. Space is my primary limitation.
The space we have is next to our stairs so there is space behind the wall and this space is joined with a closet and our laundry room. I have included a picture below. This closet space is great for storing water, and probably some equipment. But once you get too deep into it you are a bit cramped and wouldn't want to spend too much time in there.
So my question for you all is which equipment would you want on the display tank size of the wall as you need to maintain it frequently and what would go on the harder to access side. Would you put everything but the water storage and drainage on the display side? Would you be willing to put a refugium on the far side? Where would you put the skimmer? Thanks for the advice and feedback!
(Tank would go on bottom left of picture)
I am in the early stages of plotting and planning my first salt water tank. I am an IT guy, love electronics, and enjoy building things. I like designing simple well thought out systems that delight the user and are easy to maintain. I also don't want to over complicate things with expensive components that will wear out, need replacement, or come with functions I would rather build myself. (No Apex controller) I have a KISS mentality and a healthy fear of automaton.
That said one of my goals for this project is an elegant water storage and changing system. When I am done with this build I want to be able to turn a valve or flip a switch to send water down the drain and use another to add fresh saltwater. Space is my primary limitation.
The space we have is next to our stairs so there is space behind the wall and this space is joined with a closet and our laundry room. I have included a picture below. This closet space is great for storing water, and probably some equipment. But once you get too deep into it you are a bit cramped and wouldn't want to spend too much time in there.
So my question for you all is which equipment would you want on the display tank size of the wall as you need to maintain it frequently and what would go on the harder to access side. Would you put everything but the water storage and drainage on the display side? Would you be willing to put a refugium on the far side? Where would you put the skimmer? Thanks for the advice and feedback!
(Tank would go on bottom left of picture)