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  #1  
Old 02/11/2007, 01:34 PM
Stoneyscoral Stoneyscoral is offline
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My dreamtank/fishroom

I am in the process of building my biggest tank ever. I finally took the plunge and added an addition to my home and incorporated a 12'x16' basement room for my reef tank and frag tank.

I am a bit nervous at this point as I am about to order the main tank and I am constantly concerned that I didn't plan enough for the weight of the tank. The conditions during my build are exacerbating my fears. Hopefully all will be well.

Here are a few pics of what I did last year. More pics will follow during the build. And feel free to give me any advice, especially regarding the strenght of the concrete where the tank will sit.

Step one, dig a really deep hole.
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
My wife and baby girl thinking what are we getting into?
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
Forming it up, it rained 2" from 7 p.m. to that morning. I had to tarp the site and direct the runoff to a hole w/ a sump pump or I would have had a swimming pool. BTW the soil is hard grey clay that the footings are on.
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
A tough site to work on.
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
  #2  
Old 02/11/2007, 01:41 PM
Stoneyscoral Stoneyscoral is offline
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Viola!!
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]


A few notes about the tank. It will be 8'x3'x26" and I plan to do a concrete block stand w/ steel I beams just like GScheimer's stand.
The concrete under the stand is 5" to 6" thick but the rest of the basement is 4". The display will divide that large game room from this room, my fish room.
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]

I have to upload some more pics, and take some.
  #3  
Old 02/11/2007, 02:22 PM
Andrew Andrew is offline
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Sweet Build! Only If I could add a fish room to my house....
  #4  
Old 02/11/2007, 03:52 PM
Oldtimer Oldtimer is offline
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Sounds like a fun project. Can't wait to see more pics. Where in Michigan are you located?
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  #5  
Old 02/11/2007, 04:30 PM
ReefDoctorMicromussas ReefDoctorMicromussas is offline
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Todd I really look forward to see where this is going... as you know my 400 show/700 system is also coming together and I still have many of those same apprehensions you mention...
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  #6  
Old 02/11/2007, 07:19 PM
uztaryn uztaryn is offline
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I wouldn't worry too much about setting the tank on 6" of concrete. That should be plenty of support for a 300g display.

As for a fish room, you are going to love it. I have a 12x12 fish room myself and love it. People often think I have a small fish store in my basement.

Good luck on the build. Don't worry too much. Looks like all your ducks are in a row.
  #7  
Old 02/11/2007, 07:22 PM
Stoneyscoral Stoneyscoral is offline
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I will try not to worry. We did bring in about 15 yards of dry slag and gravel after removing as much water as possible.

I am uploading better pics of the fishroom, frag tank stand and tile work right now.
  #8  
Old 02/11/2007, 07:40 PM
Stoneyscoral Stoneyscoral is offline
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This is where the tank will go, it divides my fishroom from the game room.
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
This my entrance to the fishroom once the tank is in place.
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
A countertop will run the entire length of the far wall and will have a nice deep sink on the right.
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
And finally the frag tank stand. It is built w/ 9" micro lams and will be tiled to match the floor. The main sump will be under my larger tank and this will drain into it as well.
[IMG]Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting[/IMG]
I will have the stand done this week and will take delivery of the frag tank in a week or so.
  #9  
Old 02/11/2007, 08:00 PM
alien9168 alien9168 is offline
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this is going to be great.
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  #10  
Old 02/11/2007, 08:04 PM
JoeyK@OCMD JoeyK@OCMD is offline
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Have you vented this room well. Because it will get very humid and damp in there.
  #11  
Old 02/11/2007, 08:24 PM
blue angel2 blue angel2 is offline
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Coming along great! Keep the pics coming.....
  #12  
Old 02/11/2007, 08:25 PM
willjeff willjeff is offline
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Great project, where are you at in Michigan?
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  #13  
Old 02/12/2007, 07:36 AM
Stoneyscoral Stoneyscoral is offline
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I am in Livonia.

I do have a dedicated vent for the heat and humidity. Its up high on the left of the window. You cant see it in the pics.

Pics will come as soon as the frag tank arrives.
  #14  
Old 02/12/2007, 09:31 AM
clekchau clekchau is offline
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wow this will be nice
  #15  
Old 02/12/2007, 10:58 AM
ruiny ruiny is offline
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I love fish rooms.
Looking foward to seeing more.
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  #16  
Old 02/12/2007, 11:49 AM
OnlyCrimson OnlyCrimson is offline
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now that will be awesome!
  #17  
Old 02/12/2007, 12:26 PM
tomasz tomasz is offline
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Todd did you order the tank? If so where and when is it comming?
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  #18  
Old 02/12/2007, 12:53 PM
saltyESQ saltyESQ is offline
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keep it coming....
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  #19  
Old 02/12/2007, 12:58 PM
The McReefersons The McReefersons is offline
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Looking good Todd! BTW, that slab should be more than sufficient for your tank, no worries.

-Dave
  #20  
Old 02/12/2007, 01:38 PM
Oldtimer Oldtimer is offline
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Nice to see a local tank build. I grew up in Redford, but spent plenty of time in Livonia. Used to spend a lot of time at Pet Connection during my early reefing days. Where do you get your livestock?
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  #21  
Old 02/12/2007, 03:07 PM
hawaiianwargod hawaiianwargod is offline
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Looks awesome! keep up the good work.
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  #22  
Old 02/12/2007, 03:15 PM
lessthanlights lessthanlights is offline
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What is you electrical plan? Dedicated circuit? Power outages? ect . . .

You must have a VERY understanding better half- mine would kill me.
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  #23  
Old 02/12/2007, 06:54 PM
Stoneyscoral Stoneyscoral is offline
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I ordered my frag tank from Miracles about a month ago. It will be ready any day now. The big reef will take a little more time, I don't have the cash yet. The large tank will be built on site by Miracles as well.

I have 4 outlets and each pair have a 20A dedicated circuit. The lights for the frag tank are on thier own 15a circuit. I plan on two Lumenmax pendants in a custom canopy.

I get my livestock from Pet Connection, Fish Guy, and alot here from other reefers.
  #24  
Old 02/12/2007, 06:57 PM
Stoneyscoral Stoneyscoral is offline
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I will have a natural gas generator and YES my wife is very understanding!!

Its not like she doesn't get what she wants so why should't I?
  #25  
Old 02/12/2007, 07:58 PM
Alphabet Alphabet is offline
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Very nice indeed, I like the use of the micro-lams for a stand. How tall is that stand? If you finish tiling the entire room, you could use it as a sauna if you ever decided to take down the tank. Which you would'nt want to do anyway.
Again very nice!!!
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