Halp!!! Tank location?

EightyEight · Apr 4, 2021

Hi all. Brand new here, so I’m not sure if I’m doing this right. Thanks in advance.
I started off looking to get a goldfish for my kitties to be entertained by. I’m currently looking at Red Sea Max 400 S. That transition fully describes my personality...
So that tank is probably best to start with. Otherwise I’ll be trading up within a year.
Here’s my question. The best open space and most convenient spot would have the back of the tank facing and approximately 2/3 protruding into a directly north facing picture window with an outdoor roof overhang. The curtain directly behind the window can stay closed. There would never be direct sunlight. I’m drawn to fish, inverts, and soft corals. Will algae be a concern? Also, I’m on the second floor. In this spot the tank would run parallel to support beams, but would be up against a support wall. The floor is hardwood over 2x10 beams in a 70 year old building. The beams are about 14 feet from main support to main support. The tank would be almost directly above a beam that holds support walls.
I’m mostly concerned about the window. But any insight would help.

T-J · Apr 4, 2021

Welcome!!!

Sunlight doesn't in and of itself cause algae. Some people light their tanks using sunlight! (Greenhouses and solar tubes). But, the issue with sunlight can be heat issues, as well as how it looks. I'd avoid sunlight if it were my tank.

As far as your floors, I wouldn't run a tank that size parallel to my floor joists. Especially in an older home. I had a 125 on my first floor (new home), running perpendicular to my floor joists, and I still put two 12' floor jacks under the tank in the basement for support.

EightyEight · Apr 4, 2021

T-J said:
Welcome!!!

Sunlight doesn't in and of itself cause algae. Some people light their tanks using sunlight! (Greenhouses and solar tubes). But, the issue with sunlight can be heat issues, as well as how it looks. I'd avoid sunlight if it were my tank.

As far as your floors, I wouldn't run a tank that size parallel to my floor joists. Especially in an older home. I had a 125 on my first floor (new home), running perpendicular to my floor joists, and I still put two 12' floor jacks under the tank in the basement for support.

Thanks for the reply. The windows are new and insulate well. At most the tank would get indirect natural light. I can certainly put the stand on a wooden base that will ensure it’s over at least two joists. The hard wood runs perpendicular. Hoping that helps

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 4, 2021

Ive been to.growout.green houses with.coral tubs in them yes in eastern wa. Cant remember the name of his buissness. He was swedish or german. Or dutch. Lol. Kool.dude.

How many gallons.total.will yout tank be? How.heavy?
D

Jedi1199 · Apr 4, 2021

Red Sea Max s 400 is a 97 gallon tank. The tank plus the stand, water, rocks, sand.. you are basically looking at half a ton of weight.

It will work, but if it is at all possible, I would explore ways to distribute that weight as evenly as possible.