Brainstorming design for a custom aquarium fixture.

go with the stand for two split tanks and dont put the small tank in just yet. you could use it for display space like a nice piece of artwork or something your wife likes to show off, might convince her to go with your idea.

looks great either way!
 
my wife was the same way when i first put a 55 in our living room but now she loves it. the 8 1/2 ft lemon shark on the wall makes it look small so i think that worked to my advantage. wait till she finds out im trading my old beater truck for a 300 gal to replace the 55 lol
 
go with the stand for two split tanks and dont put the small tank in just yet. you could use it for display space like a nice piece of artwork or something your wife likes to show off, might convince her to go with your idea.

looks great either way!

Don't think we could afford the dual tank setup right now. Plus, this will be my first time building a cabinet, so I think I'd be more comfortable with trying something a little more reasonably sized. And if I can't even convince her of a 55g, I could NEVER convince of a 40 and a 90! lol...
 
The fiance is a different story altogether. She has only ever known small tanks. Even my current 20-long is HUUUGE to her, so the thought of a 55 in the living room is a bit ridiculous to her. I don't know how I could convince her. I thought that creating this mock-up of the room might help convince her, but she's still very hesitant.

Wives. lol...[/quote]



And here i am thinking a 90 or a 120, made narrower and longer to fill in the whole space between the wall where the patio door is and the start of those few stairs going to the lower area would look better.... and i am a wife! hahahaha!
 
Well, one of the features that originally drew us to the house was the openness of it. I think there needs to be SOME sort of divider there, but maybe not the whole way in order to keep the open feel. Don't think we would want to tank to feel like a wall.
 
you should involve an electrician; this fixture is going to be around water and will need to be able to bear a heavy electrical load. the outlet also needs to be VERY reliable, considering that it will have two very large tanks to support with all of the live stock along with the fact that it probably wont be very easy to access once the tanks are up and running. it needs to be done perfect and you really shouldnt cut corners.

that also got me to thinking...make sure your stand has a way to deflect any water away from the outlet in case of a leak AND allows for relatively easy access to the outlet.
 
you should involve an electrician; this fixture is going to be around water and will need to be able to bear a heavy electrical load. the outlet also needs to be VERY reliable, considering that it will have two very large tanks to support with all of the live stock along with the fact that it probably wont be very easy to access once the tanks are up and running. it needs to be done perfect and you really shouldnt cut corners.

that also got me to thinking...make sure your stand has a way to deflect any water away from the outlet in case of a leak AND allows for relatively easy access to the outlet.

All of those reasons are the reason for me redesigning it with a more manageable system on the 2nd page. :)

All of those are definite concerned, and may be better left until I am more experienced. The largest tank I've ever had is a 20g. I need to ease my way up should I choose to try a system that large.
 
One more option to show you guys - I went with a more natural wood finish as opposed to the stark black and white modern.

I wanted to see how you guys felt about it. :)

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Ebony inlays? Where, my fellow artist? :)
 
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