How much house...

[Mschmidt]

I have the opportunity to buy a house. It's not amazing; it'll do its job, just seems to prioritize function over form. Also there may be future flooding issues (we're looking into this. Not the point of the thread) if north western Washington happens to get substantial rain.

One thing it for have going for it is a floor plan that could fit at least one 8x4 foot tank. How much should this weigh into the decision?

 

[mjszos]

Really I think it depends on how long you envision living there. 5 years? Maybe less of a factor. 10+ years? Definitely a bigger factor.

You can always fix cosmetic things, but renovations like tearing out walls/re-engineering floors/etc get cost prohibitive. Invest in yourself and your enjoyment by having a place for your hobbies; but think about it from a longer term perspective due to the astronomical cost of our hobby and laughable resale value of used equipment.

 

[tharbin]

I have the opportunity to buy a house. It's not amazing; it'll do its job, just seems to prioritize function over form. Also there may be future flooding issues (we're looking into this. Not the point of the thread) if north western Washington happens to get substantial rain.

One thing it for have going for it is a floor plan that could fit at least one 8x4 foot tank. How much should this weigh into the decision?

Seems that everything else except maybe a roof and a dedicated 20 amp GFCI-equipped outlet in the appropriate area would be secondary

 

[Fish Fan]

I have a feeling most are going to tell you to go for the tank, but I don't know. Your house is your house, and I'm thinking you'll have it a long time. I'd really make sure it's the right house for you and your family all around, not just what fits a very large tank. I would certainly consider what tanks will fit where when considering a house, but that may be lower on the decision making scale for me personally.

Good luck, and congrats getting a house!! Being a home owner is great because no one can tell you that you CAN'T have an 8 foot tank :)

 

[tharbin]

Being a home owner is great because no one can tell yu that you CAN'T have an 8 foot tank :)

I can think of one person that can tell me I can't have an 8-foot tank...

 

[Fish Fan]

I can think of one person that can tell me I can't have an 8-foot tank...

Eh hem, well that's a little different, that's an internal problem and one I share too :)

 

[Mschmidt]

I can think of one person that can tell me I can't have an 8-foot tank...

Eh hem, well that's a little different, that's an internal problem and one I share too :)

As long as there's another with discus I should be good with whatever I want. Her statement was "you always think things through so thoroughly before you say anything, I'm learning to trust you."

 

[Mschmidt]

Really I think it depends on how long you envision living there. 5 years? Maybe less of a factor. 10+ years? Definitely a bigger factor.

With the market here there is going to be no buying another house. Only thanks to a family loan is this within reach.

You can always fix cosmetic things, but renovations like tearing out walls/re-engineering floors/etc get cost prohibitive. Invest in yourself and your enjoyment by having a place for your hobbies; but think about it from a longer term perspective due to the astronomical cost of our hobby and laughable resale value of used equipment.

Between this hobby, running, cycling, skiing, 3d printing,... And the kid's too young for any right now but they're coming.

 

[Mschmidt]

Seems that everything else except maybe a roof and a dedicated 20 amp GFCI-equipped outlet in the appropriate area would be secondary

Maybe a dog house to sleep in when she sees the fishhotel receipt.

 

[mjszos]

With the market here there is going to be no buying another house. Only thanks to a family loan is this within reach.

Between this hobby, running, cycling, skiing, 3d printing,... And the kid's too young for any right now but they're coming.

I hear that, similar circumstance here. We’d love to upgrade, but we’re priced out of the area.

I think if you can swing it and build the house around your future plans it’s a great idea.

 

[Mschmidt]

I have a feeling most are going to tell you to go for the tank, but I don't know. Your house is your house, and I'm thinking you'll have it a long time. I'd really make sure it's the right house for you and your family all around, not just what fits a very large tank. I would certainly consider what tanks will fit where when considering a house, but that may be lower on the decision making scale for me personally.

Good luck, and congrats getting a house!! Being a home owner is great because no one can tell you that you CAN'T have an 8 foot tank :)

Having a real hard time not seeing that 32 sqft as future fish tank.

Also, visa may have a valid opinion on what I can and can't afford.

 

[SliceGolfer]

With a tank that size my concerns would be foundation, electric, getting the tank in the house, and access to utilities/drains/water storage/system life support. I don’t live too far from you (Oak Harbor, Whidbey) and my house does not have a basement, would require substantial floor support, and I can only imagine trying to jockey buckets/hedpaks, space for a large water station, and gear storage. Power is probably the easy part. I’m on city utilities but many here have septic systems and possibly well water. Not saying same for you but considerations nonetheless. Wishing you luck for sure!

 

[JoJosReef]

Having a real hard time not seeing that 32 sqft as future fish tank.

Also, visa may have a valid opinion on what I can and can't afford.

Question is whether the card is still valid. Always side jobs for cash. You may be questioning your choices now, but I guarantee you'll forget all about it when you're watching your conspic angel floating across your 8ft tank!

 

[backbayreef]

I dunno - yolo so get the biggest house and the biggest tank you can afford, after factoring family finances and situations. Three important things: location, location, and location.

 

[tharbin]

I have the opportunity to buy a house. It's not amazing; it'll do its job, just seems to prioritize function over form. Also there may be future flooding issues (we're looking into this. Not the point of the thread) if north western Washington happens to get substantial rain.

One thing it for have going for it is a floor plan that could fit at least one 8x4 foot tank. How much should this weigh into the decision?

I was a little tongue in cheek with my initial reply but I really do think that if someone is serious about the reefing hobby then adequate space to house tanks of a suitable size should be a serious consideration in buying a house. Not as important as 'good bones' and a location that you like but--important.

There are many hobbies that can take a lot of specialized space, if the hobbyist is passionate about the hobby. Many model railroaders end up putting up out buildings, excavating larger basements or major home expansions just to do their hobby. I have a friend that lives 5 miles out of town in scrub desert just so he can pursue his hobby of blacksmithing, which he is incredible at. Reefing can certainly be one of those hobbies.

Form goes in and out of fashion, function doesn't. I would make sure you like the neighborhood, that the view out the windows is pleasing or at least not unpleasant, that necessary amenities are within reasonable distance (nothing gets old faster than needing to drive for 45 minutes to buy a loaf of bread), and that the house is structurally sound, then consider things like potential tank space.

 

[Mschmidt]

With a tank that size my concerns would be foundation, electric, getting the tank in the house, and access to utilities/drains/water storage/system life support. I don’t live too far from you (Oak Harbor, Whidbey) and my house does not have a basement, would require substantial floor support, and I can only imagine trying to jockey buckets/hedpaks, space for a large water station, and gear storage. Power is probably the easy part. I’m on city utilities but many here have septic systems and possibly well water. Not saying same for you but considerations nonetheless. Wishing you luck for sure!

There's a kitchen like setup in the basement, so getting the tank in, basement sump, auto water changes,,, can be worked out fairly easily.

conspic angel

that will probably never be in the budget, but I like it!

I dunno - yolo so get the biggest house and the biggest tank you can afford, after factoring family finances and situations. Three important things: location, location, and location.

that's right, the kids do like to eat...

 

[monique265]

My husband and I bought our house then i decided to put in a tank. 7 ft x 24in x 28in. I just put a small beam with jack posts in the basement to support the floor. 265 gal sump in basement.