Custom home built to reef tank specifications...

[krusty_krab]

Hi All-

You may/may not remember me, I got hooked on the salty brine as a friend of mine gave me his 30gallon reef. I have since sold that particular tank, as we are entertaining the possibility of moving within the next few months, into a new custom build home. (Will decide/put in an offer in the next week)

I will put up some specs/general floor plans once I have em (I walked through the place, but I dont have any spec sheets yet) However, this thread is all about...

***Post your ideas on what you would have put in your home for a custom fish tank. *** Add pics of what you have done if you like, anything goes here. I would like I thread worthy of archiving to any customizers out there, if thats possible.

So far I have decided it would be wise to-

-Run a few (2? 30Amps?) dedicated circuits for lighting/pumps etc just for the tank.
-Run a drain pipe to the sewer line, so as to facilitate water changes.
-Run a water feed to run to a nearby dedicated RO/DI system.
-Install a PVC loop for a chiller to be installed outside of the dwelling.
-And install extra venting and fans to extract heat from the halides.

If I decide to install my sump on a seperate floor, I will need plumbing in wall for that as well. (The place is a 3 story)

Looking to set up around a 200 gallon tank here. Just want to get all the nice touches in now, while the walls are open and easy to access.

Any customizations you have ever thought of would be welcome. Customizing a home in progress sure is fun... and by that, I mean expensive .... But hey, would I be posting at RDO if I didnt have an affinity for the expensive? :roll: :mrgreen:

TIA all

KK

 

[Anonymous]

First of all, just the thought of what you might be able to do is making me drool. :-D

Just off the top of my head, what I might do would be to have a room divided by the tank, with 3 sides of the tank viewable. One of the short-sides would be closed off and lead to the fishroom, where you could access plumbing, etc.

Or if you really want to go nuts, have the tank out in the center of the room with plumbing running up the inside of a column in the dead-center of the tank and up into the ceiling (or down into the floor I guess), and then off to the fishroom. I saw a setup like that in an LFS in the bay area and it was spectacular.

 

[AllenF]

I like all of your ideas.

My favorite thing so far has been to place this "in wall" setup in a special "fish room". Make it so as its viewable from an adjcent room (such as a kitchen or better yet the main living area also).

Decorate your fish room with a nice leather recliner, reading lamp, books, Bose sound system (heck go wild and put a fire place on the opposing wall). etc etc (you could even make your "office" double as the fish room by putting your desk and computer in a corner in here (out of the way and in such a was as it can be hidden in an armoir or somthing).

I would absolutely kill for a room like that to recline in the leather recliner, turn on some jazz music, light the gas logs, grab a good book, dim the lights, and stare at my reef for hours or just nap. 8)

Tre' nice!

 

[TomH]

There are some great ideas on this gentleman's website -- great reading too!

www.moyesreef.com

Good luck, I hope to be able to afford something similar someday.

Tom

 

[krusty_krab]

Hey

Thanks for your comments thus far everyone. Wow, moyesreef.com is amazing. I recommend it to anyone with broadband. I had to peek and look at his credits, see what he did for a living to afford such a nice setup... yeah... I may be buying a new house, but I have yet to executive produce, er, well, my daughter I guess, but thats it. Lol. A great site though, very cleverly narrated as well.

On the "Island" idea, that is a great idea, but I want to use the fish viewing room as the kids rec room/game room/movie watchin room as well, so I think the tank will be built into the wall, or right out from the wall.

Keep the ideas comin guys, those are great thus far. Never thought of installing a sink nearby, but thats not a bad idea... I could always paoch the nearest bathroom for my fish room, well, the wifey may not go for that! heh heh

I should be scanning in the floor plans tonight, I will lay out my general ideas for all y'all. Since I have only kept a 30 gallon up to this point, your advice has and will be invaluable. Many thanks.

Expensive ideas ahoy!

KK

 

[Mogo]

First of all in your envious situation, think about doing an in-wall tank as big as you can manage. Yep a 200 galloner is getting there. You may be able to get the carpenters to do a rough opening for you, when you decide on your tank dimensions. I would also recommend a fishroom (no kids, wives allowed 8) ) off the back of it where you keep all your equipment including lab/work table, sink etc.

I lucked out by finding a floor drain (under 1/8" of concrete) located about 3 feet from my tank and sump. I just siphon wastewater to it. Handy as hell. Definitely something to think about.

Design in several circuits, you never know what you will need years down the road as you acquire more stuff.

Most important, any leftover dollars in your budget to execute the above should be used for a 2 seater ragtop of your favorite flavour (no kids, wives allowed). 8)