Future Setup Advice Wanted

[Nano New]

I am new to reefing and I decided to start with a nano tank because...well...I actually love nano tanks! I also have freshwater tanks both fish and shrimp. In a few years (when I've paid my house off) I want to consolidate all my tanks into one 6ft freshwater in the dining area and one 4ft marine in front of my library where there is currently a couch I will be getting rid of. However, after reading the threads for awhile I'm wondering if it's a good idea to put the marine in front of the library because of water changing requirements. I thought I'd post a pic of the area, some details and see if people have some good suggestions for me. I admit I've fallen totally in love with my nano reef but I do want the tank as easy to manage as possible. I don't want to spend ALL my retirement maintaining the reef

The library backs a strip of land at the side of my house which is currently simply a path from the garage to the utility room which is further down the side of the house. I've actually included my floor plan to understand where water sources are inside the house. Outside the house there are no available water outlets near the library. I currently have my RDO unit under my kitchen sink as my water needs are small. I wanted the tank to be a bit of a wall between the library and the living area so I'm looking for a tank that is clear on both sides. The house is on a slab so there is no basement. To the right of the library is my office and I've considered putting some equipment in there. To the right of the office is a bathroom so there is plumbing there. To the left of the library is a bedroom and to the left of that is the utility room. The garage is at the front of the house, so a fair way from the libary but there is access from the side of the house that the library faces. I have tile floor (thankfully!) so water spill is less of a worry. I currently have a 130Ltr freshwater in the place I want to put the marine tank.

I have several years to plan this out and think about the best setup. Or scrap the idea totally as unworkable and put the larger freshwater there instead. So I'm turning to the experts! Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

 

[muzikalmatt]

I don't see any reason why you couldn't put it there. The only thing water changes would likely affect is your wood floors from potential spills. I don't think humidity will be an issue for your books. Also, you want to have your tank in an area that is conducive for viewing but not super high traffic, and the library/lounge seems like an ideal place for that.

 

[Nano New]

I don't see any reason why you couldn't put it there. The only thing water changes would likely affect is your wood floors from potential spills. I don't think humidity will be an issue for your books. Also, you want to have your tank in an area that is conducive for viewing but not super high traffic, and the library/lounge seems like an ideal place for that.

Thanks for the feedback. One note, the floors are actually wood look tile so no issue there (I've already spilled heaps of water during changes on my freshwater lol. One way to mop the floor regularly!)

 

[waterbox15aio]

I might peninsula the tank off a wall or add a wall bump-out to hide electrical hookups for the tank. If you wanted to go all out you could put electrical outlets below the tank but that would require running a conduit through your concrete slab.

A decently tall stand should allow you to siphone water directly to your kitchen sink (unless closer option available?). A small pump is another option to help move w/c water. Consider a mixing jug either below the tank or hidden elsewhere where you can store mixed water for a w/c.

Regarding flooring, water can damage wood flooring. If this is laminate flooring it could cause the adhesive to debond but probably more durable than wood. If the floor is floating and is not adhere/nailed to subfloor, you should probably cut the floor out where the tank is, leaving an inch or so gap at perimeter concealed by trim. Floating floors move abit with thermal expansion/contraction/humidity so you don’t want the tank to be a snag point.

 

[Nano New]

I might peninsula the tank off a wall or add a wall bump-out to hide electrical hookups for the tank. If you wanted to go all out you could put electrical outlets below the tank but that would require running a conduit through your concrete slab.

A decently tall stand should allow you to siphone water directly to your kitchen sink (unless closer option available?). A small pump is another option to help move w/c water. Consider a mixing jug either below the tank or hidden elsewhere where you can store mixed water for a w/c.

Regarding flooring, water can damage wood flooring. If this is laminate flooring it could cause the adhesive to debond but probably more durable than wood. If the floor is floating and is not adhere/nailed to subfloor, you should probably cut the floor out where the tank is, leaving an inch or so gap at perimeter concealed by trim. Floating floors move abit with thermal expansion/contraction/humidity so you don’t want the tank to be a snag point.

This is getting amusing. Again, the floor is ceramic TILE. It just looks like wood because I put in an expensive tile floor that, well, looks like wood! (Third times a charm!) The charm of wood, the durability of tile. Best of both worlds.