I have referenced a number of "build" threads for ideas for my own tank, so I'll start a thread for my upcoming build in hopes that it will prove useful for some people, or at least provide some entertainment value (hopefully not at my expense).
Next Wednesday I will close on my first house, in Kittery. I considered selling everything off from my current 55-gallon reef before moving. Instead, I decided to double down and build a tank that will literally be the centerpiece of my house. I'm going to plumb the drain and return through the floor to the (unfinished) basement where I'll have lots of room for sump, fuge, topoff, etc.
Here's a shot I took during the home inspection of where the tank will go. The wall separates the living room and the kitchen/sitting room. The part of the wall that sticks out on the left is the chimney surround.
Here are plans for what I'd like the finished thing to look like: one from the kitchen/sitting room side and one from the living room side.
There's going to be a 3" chase between the chimney surround and the left side of the tank. The frame will be removeable so I can get at those spaces. In the plan there's no door above the tank on the long side, but I think I'll need to add one. I have to be able to access the lights and ductwork. A ventilation duct will run from the basement and then either back down to the basement or up and out--I need to do more research on that.
I'll post more as it progresses, but (I say for the first and last time) it's pretty straightforward, how hard can it be?
Next Wednesday I will close on my first house, in Kittery. I considered selling everything off from my current 55-gallon reef before moving. Instead, I decided to double down and build a tank that will literally be the centerpiece of my house. I'm going to plumb the drain and return through the floor to the (unfinished) basement where I'll have lots of room for sump, fuge, topoff, etc.
Here's a shot I took during the home inspection of where the tank will go. The wall separates the living room and the kitchen/sitting room. The part of the wall that sticks out on the left is the chimney surround.
Here are plans for what I'd like the finished thing to look like: one from the kitchen/sitting room side and one from the living room side.
There's going to be a 3" chase between the chimney surround and the left side of the tank. The frame will be removeable so I can get at those spaces. In the plan there's no door above the tank on the long side, but I think I'll need to add one. I have to be able to access the lights and ductwork. A ventilation duct will run from the basement and then either back down to the basement or up and out--I need to do more research on that.
I'll post more as it progresses, but (I say for the first and last time) it's pretty straightforward, how hard can it be?
