A chance to build a dream tank...

W

WinnipegDragon

AC Members
Apr 9, 2007
296
0
0
My wife and I are looking at finishing our basement, and there might be enough money to build up a showcase-type tank to put down there.

We have been eyeing a 180 gallon and we would likely do a planted community tank if we went with this size. Neither of us has ever had a tank this large before though (50g was our max before), so I'm trying to be wary of any pitfalls. We also have the luxury of open walls right now, so any plumbing or wiring can be done in anticipation of the tank.

Things we are considering:

  • Dedicated GFCI circuit for the aquarium.
  • Dual heaters and filters for redundancy.
  • UPS for the filters and heaters.
  • Water line and drain in the tank area.
We are likely going to stick with canister filters since we want to plant, and I know wet/dry filters make that far more difficult. I also am assuming we have to go pressurized CO2 for something this size.

Any other advice from the big-tank owners out there? And while you are at it, what would you stock in your dream community tank?

Thanks again for all the advice. This place is still great 7 years after I first discovered it!
 
No responses?
 
I have owned a fair allotment of larger tanks over the years, and let me tell, they're a lot easier than smaller tanks.

Here are a few things I would recommend:

Heater: 3 of these http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3852&N=2004+113767

Filtration: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12064&N=2004+22777

For filter media, go to your local dollar store and buy a couple packs of pot scrubbers. They make excellent bio-filters.

Im not sure about your budget, but a Co2 controller makes a big difference.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4493&N=2004+113762

As for the solenoid (the piece that control the amount of CO2 and Pressure) I've heard these are good:

http://www.rexgrigg.com/sale.html



If you have any questions, feel free to message me
 
PDX-PLT said:
That would be one very expensive UPS. The heaters would use a few hundred watts, and a typical PC computer-type UPS would only run them for a very brief time.
Click to expand...

Dont buy a UPS. Your large tank can insulate itself for a couple hours.

If you do buy a UPS, I would only run your filters off of it.
 
well, the biggest tank ive had is a 100g.. its in the basement not filled, but i have blueprints drawn up of how i want my dream basement to look :p

my dream tank is an american species lake tank.. largemouth/smallmouth bass, panfish, carp, etc...
 
i know this may not be feasible but ever think about purchasing a nice gas generator for the house is case power goes out? My family has one that is out in our shed. I had to spend a couple days digging a trench to run the wiring to the house but now in case of a power outage, just jumpstart the generator and we have our fridge running, and in your case fish tanks.
 
That's all great advice, thank you. Sorry about the second post, but this is a big deal for us, and we like to rely on the experience of those that have done this before.

I'll take a look at those links and start budgeting for the tank :)
 
Allow more room than you think to access the equipment.

Especially allow additional room at the top to handle the lighting that may be required for planted and take the tank depth into consideration.

You may need a method for exhausting excess heat generated from the light in an enclosed area.

If possible, include a drip pan, for the possible leak or spillage.

It would look even better if your design could be viewed from the two long sides, as if it was a room divider.

You will probably need access panels that could pop off and look like wainscotting.

To minimize the look of hardware, consider in line heaters with the filters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom