SmCaudata
Community Member
Hello. I'm going to be building an in wall in my basement office. I have the opening for the tank framed in with sheet rock. I'll use nicer wood and trim to size it properly in the end. Currently I'm dealing with option overload.
Originally I had planned a custom 72x30x24 tank with a t slot aluminum stand. Now, I'm rethinking this because I can get an off the shelf tank for several grand less all in. Wife will like that. Also, stand with doors may keep some splashing off of drywall and keep heat in and reduce evaporation and fish room humidity.
Custom tank with 3/4 glass and full euro bracing would be $3-4k more. Without need for a custom size, I'm not sure that's with it. A more "bare bones" custom with 1/2 glass custs the cost difference in half.
Off the shelf options.
1. IM Ext 200 with synergy reef sk60 sump. I'll be doing rollers.
-I'd have to do my own plumbing which adds cost.
-comes with TSA gift certificate which is nice.
-I built my fish room so that I can slide the sump out the side door if needed.
-the synergy looks to be a much nicer sump than either of the others.
-no Overflow box in tank
-shortest tank
2. Redsea reefer S 850.
-ready to go. Easy mod for reefmat when launched.
-narrowest front to back
3. Cade 1800 s2
-would probably be stuck with filter socks
-unique media chambers.
-built in manifold.
-peninsula variety is highest volume option.
4. Go custom.
For options 1 and 3, I was also thinking about the peninsula options. The Cade peninsula is bigger than the regular tank. One side of the tank has about 18" to the wall that will likely host mauch of my gear. I'm wondering if having the plumbing on that side would be beneficial. It may be nice to see through the back of the tank from the fish room. I could use a curtain or something if the backdrop from the office is undesirable.
So, opinions?
Here is the layout of the office.
Originally I had planned a custom 72x30x24 tank with a t slot aluminum stand. Now, I'm rethinking this because I can get an off the shelf tank for several grand less all in. Wife will like that. Also, stand with doors may keep some splashing off of drywall and keep heat in and reduce evaporation and fish room humidity.
Custom tank with 3/4 glass and full euro bracing would be $3-4k more. Without need for a custom size, I'm not sure that's with it. A more "bare bones" custom with 1/2 glass custs the cost difference in half.
Off the shelf options.
1. IM Ext 200 with synergy reef sk60 sump. I'll be doing rollers.
-I'd have to do my own plumbing which adds cost.
-comes with TSA gift certificate which is nice.
-I built my fish room so that I can slide the sump out the side door if needed.
-the synergy looks to be a much nicer sump than either of the others.
-no Overflow box in tank
-shortest tank
2. Redsea reefer S 850.
-ready to go. Easy mod for reefmat when launched.
-narrowest front to back
3. Cade 1800 s2
-would probably be stuck with filter socks
-unique media chambers.
-built in manifold.
-peninsula variety is highest volume option.
4. Go custom.
For options 1 and 3, I was also thinking about the peninsula options. The Cade peninsula is bigger than the regular tank. One side of the tank has about 18" to the wall that will likely host mauch of my gear. I'm wondering if having the plumbing on that side would be beneficial. It may be nice to see through the back of the tank from the fish room. I could use a curtain or something if the backdrop from the office is undesirable.
So, opinions?
Here is the layout of the office.
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