She said she wanted it bigger...

[AlaskaReefGuy]

Hey all,
I posted a question in here the other day about stands, and I guess I now should start an actual thread about what I'm doing.

First, I've been around the industry for a while. Here's a current shot of my 120 that's been up for a couple years. Bit dirty as I just got back from a trip.

While we love the 120, and it's been a great tank, we're moving, and we're building our dream place. With that, my wife said "So, can we go bigger with the tank?" to which I smartly replied, "I mean, how much bigger would YOU want?" Her reply shocked me.... "I dunno, 8 feet by 4 feet? Or whatever would fit and look the best in the space?"

So technically we have the room for the 96x48. BUT. It would make the doorway feel too closed off. So I've limited it down to 2 options. And that is where I need your help.

Like my 120, this is going to be a mixed reef. Likely more flowy stuff as well as she loves torches all of a sudden. Zero mushrooms, because they're taking over. Don't super care about the high end stuff, just trying to make a nice place to sit and enjoy after a long day.

The first option is 96x36. It would be pushed 2 feet off the pony wall to center the tank on the wall. Here's the floor plan. If you notice, behind the wall that the tank is going on is the 3rd bay of the garage. That will be partially used for a fish room. Won't be big, but it will work.

And here's the visual using boxes that the drywall guys left:

So that's option A.

Then, there is option B:

120x30. This would look like it was in-line with the pony wall, so I would butt it up against that wall giving me 2 side viewable. BUT a place to put some massive water movement on the wall butting up to the pony wall, along with the back wall.

The problem I'm already seeing with the longer one is the flow. That said, the swimming room would be awesome, and it would block the entry way a bit less.

So, help me out here. What direction should I go?

I basically need to order this tank within the next 2 months.

::Edit:: It's march... I have 1 month to order this tank.

 

[AlvinDiver]

Hey all,
I posted a question in here the other day about stands, and I guess I now should start an actual thread about what I'm doing.

First, I've been around the industry for a while. Here's a current shot of my 120 that's been up for a couple years. Bit dirty as I just got back from a trip.

While we love the 120, and it's been a great tank, we're moving, and we're building our dream place. With that, my wife said "So, can we go bigger with the tank?" to which I smartly replied, "I mean, how much bigger would YOU want?" Her reply shocked me.... "I dunno, 8 feet by 4 feet? Or whatever would fit and look the best in the space?"

So technically we have the room for the 96x48. BUT. It would make the doorway feel too closed off. So I've limited it down to 2 options. And that is where I need your help.

Like my 120, this is going to be a mixed reef. Likely more flowy stuff as well as she loves torches all of a sudden. Zero mushrooms, because they're taking over. Don't super care about the high end stuff, just trying to make a nice place to sit and enjoy after a long day.

The first option is 96x36. It would be pushed 2 feet off the pony wall to center the tank on the wall. Here's the floor plan. If you notice, behind the wall that the tank is going on is the 3rd bay of the garage. That will be partially used for a fish room. Won't be big, but it will work.

And here's the visual using boxes that the drywall guys left:

So that's option A.

Then, there is option B:

120x30. This would look like it was in-line with the pony wall, so I would butt it up against that wall giving me 2 side viewable. BUT a place to put some massive water movement on the wall butting up to the pony wall, along with the back wall.

The problem I'm already seeing with the longer one is the flow. That said, the swimming room would be awesome, and it would block the entry way a bit less.

So, help me out here. What direction should I go?

I basically need to order this tank within the next 2 months.

::Edit:: It's march... I have 1 month to order this tank.

You can get around the need for multiple powerheads everywhere if you do a closed loop system or two. Add random flow generators and you'll be able to cover most of what you need.

For a tank that size I would also strongly recommend having the sump and equipment in a room adjecent or in the basement.

 

[AlvinDiver]

I would also focus on depth and width... go as far as you can in those directions. Then figure out what length you're comfortable with.

You'll have more room for more fish and coral.

 

[Puggz]

Personally I like the 8' version as you have access on 3 sides for maintenance, wavemakers,, etc. Regardless of which layout you decide on, make sure your electrician puts in a couple of 20A GFIs so you don't run out of power.

 

[AlaskaReefGuy]

I'm 100% going to go closed loop. I don't want powerheads, wave makers, etc viewable this time. We're going to build in with cabinetry to match the kitchen

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

The title of this thread

 

[Puggz]

I'm 100% going to go closed loop. I don't want powerheads, wavaakers, etc viewable this time. We're going to build in with cabinetry to match the kitchen

Fair enough! How deep/high is the tank? Sump underneath or adjacent room?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

If that wall isn't load bearing. (Looks like it is)

Putting it into the wall or flush with the wall wouldn't cut off the area at all and the area behind it is already planning to be used for it anyways.

Since only drywall is up you could get them to brace the wall if it is load bearing.

 

[AlvinDiver]

I'm 100% going to go closed loop. I don't want powerheads, wave makers, etc viewable this time. We're going to build in with cabinetry to match the kitchen

Smart. Closed loops should be considered more often.

 

[AlaskaReefGuy]

Fair enough! How deep/high is the tank? Sump underneath or adjacent room?

Likely 26" deep. I have long arms, so I'm considering 30."

I'm considering sump in garage, but I'm not 100% on that yet. Closed loop pumps, CA reactor, and chiller will be in garage.

 

[AlaskaReefGuy]

If that wall isn't load bearing. (Looks like it is)

Putting it into the wall or flush with the wall wouldn't cut off the area at all and the area behind it is already planning to be used for it anyways.

Since only drywall is up you could get them to brace the wall if it is load bearing.

Tank isn't going in the wall. Wife wants it in front

 

[AlaskaReefGuy]

The title of this thread

 

[fish_collector]

Nice! Really nice! I'm a bit jealous, we're building our dream place as well but still waiting for our architect to get our plans finished. Then we will wait another few months for permits lol. We stretched our new house out so we could fit a large peninsula into the living room with a 4' x 20' utility closet behind it. Originally it was hard to find the floorplan we wanted, then we found one and hired an architect to make changes. My darling spouse will get a kitchen that is 2' bigger in both directions because we stretched to house out to fit in a tank and utility closet lol.

I'd go with the biggest tank you can realistically set up, I say that because they get $$ when going bigger than 8' in length. We won't be able to determine exact size until we put furniture into the room. A dussumieri would be so cool in a 10' tank lol.

 

[AlvinDiver]

Fair enough! How deep/high is the tank? Sump underneath or adjacent room?

Likely 26" deep. I have long arms, so I'm considering 30."

I'm considering sump in garage, but I'm not 100% on that yet. Closed loop pumps, CA reactor, and chiller will be in garage.

Do yourself a favor and put the sump in the garage as well. More space for changes and alterations down the road.

 

[lubeck]

I would go with the 10’

 

[smitten with ocean life]

keep us updated!

 

[AlaskaReefGuy]

I would go with the 10’

Honestly, I'm leaning that way. Think about the swimming room!

The big thing that we want is for it to look like it belongs with the rest of our cabinetry and the 10' one would