Need a Sanity Check, Please!!!

Argus1 · Sep 18, 2018

I have dreams of installing a 96x30x30 in-wall tank. The tank will go in the wall between my family room and the laundry/mudroom. The laundry/mudroom (10' x 9') will become the fish room. Before I hire a contractor to a cut a hole in the wall please review my plan and let me know if this is workable. I am located in Tampa, Florida. I am concerned about controlling the humidity, heat and things that I don't know that I need to control. By the way, this will be my first tank. I am kind of "go big or stay home type of guy."

albano · Sep 18, 2018

Why is that 1'4" area 'boxed out' in the upper left corner of the aquarium? You sure that nothing runs thru that box?

Argus1 · Sep 18, 2018

That space is a empty cavity, I have the drawings and pictures of the framing when the house was built. Makes the hallway to front door looks a like line of square columns. Before I cut the wall opening, I will cut a access hole in a corner and put a camera inside to confirm.

Argus1 · Sep 19, 2018

I am not getting the advice, that I thought I would from this post. I am trying to determine if I need to install a chiller or use fans for evaporative cooling or add an air conditioner to control the temperature, add a dehumidifier; do I need to replace the drywall with the purple stuff, etc. Anybody?

jabberwock · Sep 19, 2018

Get a smaller tank, and an even smaller QT, and start with that. Put it in the living room. Get it cycled, fiddle with it, get some livestock, start a routine, see if this REALLY something you want to do. Then you can springboard from there, use the smaller display for QT when you "go big".

jabberwock · Sep 19, 2018

You will want an ro/di system with a tank that size, and consider moving the tank further into the living area to maximize tank viewing space.

Mike Carroll · Sep 19, 2018

Hello,

I don't feel I am qualified to give an appropriate response, bbut I did remember watching a youtube video bby an experienced reefer who was doing something similar to your plans..

It may give you more ideas..

Designing and Building the Ideal Fishroom for your Reef by Marc Levenson | MACNA 2016

Good luck, if you pull this off, it will be killer!

Argus1 · Sep 19, 2018

Mike Carroll said:
Hello,

I don't feel I am qualified to give an appropriate response, bbut I did remember watching a youtube video bby an experienced reefer who was doing something similar to your plans..

It may give you more ideas..

Designing and Building the Ideal Fishroom for your Reef by Marc Levenson | MACNA 2016

Good luck, if you pull this off, it will be killer!

Thanks, I taking a look at the video now.

Firemanreefkeeper · Sep 19, 2018

Is the room climate controlled already? I assume it is since you are in Florida. Do you need a chiller? What lighting system are you going to run? That might determine what you need. I'm in Florida south of you and I have no chiller on my 75 gallon tank.

mch1984 · Sep 19, 2018

I agree with a couple of above post. One, it wouldn't hurt to start out smaller and get a feel for it before you dive off into. Some of the equipment like controllers and such as that will transfer over. Second, as stated above if the home is climate controlled you should be fine, I'm not in Florida but I am in West Texas. As far as humidity goes, I would prepare for it in the laundry room. Will probably be fine with just buying a dehumidifier. If you do decide to stick with the plan to go this big I would suggest lots of research. I'm sure you have done some but rest assured you should do more lol. 99% of us could afford to do more, myself included. Watch the BRS 52 weeks of reefing and other series and different channels to get some good ideas before moving forward.