What TIP would you leave someone about the placement of a new aquarium in their home?

[MichaelReefer]

Haha, funny this came up. So we are re doing our living room, and kitchen...and my Fiance wants me to move my tank because she wants to expand the kitchen and put a bar nook there.... I dont want to move it because I like seeing it when I watch TV....but she wants it moved behind the couch.... Happy Wife happy life.

 

[Wasabiroot]

If you have a home that gets lots of natural sunlight, check where the sun enters your house at all times of the day, and at different points in the year. I like where my cube is now, but did not account for the sun that enters through the back of the house in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky. For about 2 hours, the tank recieves direct sunlight. I mitigated this by moving a very large potted Giant Yucca to that window. While most reefs can handle sunlight here and there, too much can shock your coral and cause nuisance algae buildup.

I would also add that while a window can cause temperature fluctuations, having your reef near a spot that has easier access outside will help you if you decide to run air lines to your skimmer to help with pH control.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Could have been a foot to the right and closer to the wall. It partially blocks the hallway entrance to the master bedroom. But my wife wanted it there so it wasn't right next to the tv.

 

[blaxsun]

Haha, funny this came up. So we are re doing our living room, and kitchen...and my Fiance wants me to move my tank because she wants to expand the kitchen and put a bar nook there.... I dont want to move it because I like seeing it when I watch TV....but she wants it moved behind the couch.... Happy Wife happy life.

As long as the fish can still watch Survivor re-runs you should be fine.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Leave it out from the wall enough to have at least a little room behind the tank. I’d love to put some power heads on the back wall of my tank but I can’t get my hand between the tank and the wall to place the magnets.

I learned that one the hard way on a previous tank. Now I give myself a minimum of 5" between the back glass and the wall. I had to replace my GFCI outlet recently and I was more than glad I had the space!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

All I can say is access, access access. Spacing behind the tank is a must! Location where you can enjoy it, and serviceability. Luckily I have a 1/2 bath behind my tank for AWC and water making, also next to the tv.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Haha, funny this came up. So we are re doing our living room, and kitchen...and my Fiance wants me to move my tank because she wants to expand the kitchen and put a bar nook there.... I dont want to move it because I like seeing it when I watch TV....but she wants it moved behind the couch.... Happy Wife happy life.

I had to buy a canopy setup for this reason, I was in the same boat. I deferred to the better half.

 

[Grimmj]

When we moved we put the tank between the kitchen and living room on a tile floor that goes to the front door. Great spot since water doesnt hurt the floor. Downside is the front wall is about 20ft of glass and in the summer the tank gets some sun and algae grows on the tank glass. Winter it gets less sun and I dont have this issue.
So ya think about the ambient things that happen where the tank is. Mine is also near the stairs going to the second floor. My 2 year old has discovered if she leans over and sticks a arm through the railing she can touch the water...ugh

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

Be aware that high traffic areas can affect the behavior of fish and sometimes can result in timid behavior.

This is what I was gonna say. I moved my tank because I was tired of having a panic attack every time the kids and dogs sprint by it. Now it's in my room by my computer desk.

 

[floatchop]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Apache-Mills-Inc-36-in-W-Cut-to-Length-Black-Extruded-Vinyl-Utility-Runner-By-the-Foot/1000043655

Put rubber mat under it, just sticking out 6-8" all the way around. Save from inevitable spills and drips. You can get it at big box home improvement stores by the foot for cheap

 

[Coinzmans Reef]

Know your floor can handle the weight, concrete floors are bets. Level your tank 100%. Plan out your electrical needs. You will need space to do various things (table or bar) and a water supply and drain close to the tank for obvious reasons. Storage area for supply's is a must. No direct light or high traffic from pets and children, tanks can be very dangerous.
Most of all get the biggest tank you can afford or be a repeat offender.

 

[Cincyreefer513]

My wife and I really enjoy having the tank in the bedroom. If kids get too rowdy, we just close the door so it's less likely to spook fish and corals from all of the running and stomping. It gets zero light from the outside and it's right next to the bathroom so very easy to dump small amounts of water down the sink while testing or adding new inhabitants.
It's on wood floors so I have to make sure there is a towel down for ANY work. It's also not the optimal spot for showing large numbers of guests, but that doesn't really ever happen. If I ever get my dream tank, however, it would likely go in a finished basement.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Place the tank in the area you most often occupy.
A false wall adjacent to, or above, a utility room or bathroom can provide easy water & drainage access
Like others have said... not on floors that are easily damaged by water - I killed some nice hardwood once. Fortunately, the flooring guys included the repair when we refloored the rest of the rooms on that level so the "finance department" didn't realize the actual cost of my mistake.
Shielded from direct light from windows

 

[pulpfiction]

Put it in the least likely location to be hit by dogs skidding around doing zoomies.

 

[Dania]

I want to hear this story.

 

[G Santana]

Worst case scenario, what will happen to your floor and living space if the tank let's loose in THAT SPOT?!!!

 

[rmorris_14]

"Some day I will tell my wife we have a fish tank."

lol HAHA

 

[rmorris_14]

Perfect spot in a room we occupy the most. It on one side of the TV. However, now I feel like we need another one on the other side to make it symmetrical

 

[reefplumer13]

When considering an aquarium for your home one of the biggest decisions you have to make is the placement of the aquarium. Where will it go? It's important on many levels but here is one tip from me:

TIP: You want to place the aquarium where it can be enjoyed by the family and easily accessible. An aquarium that is placed in an inconspicuous area is often overlooked, unmaintained and usually ends in it being an eye-sore and is promptly decommissioned.

What TIP would you leave someone about the placement of a new aquarium in their home? (write your response as a tip)

image via @Takaki1980

make sure you place it where it isn't in direct sunlight. Or in direct flow of ac/heat vents!

 

[Water Dog]

This is simple…. Make sure the tank is perpendicular to your floor joists.