Aquarium Room Question

I'm planning on converting one large room in the basement into an aquarium room. How many of you have tiled their walls to prevent damage to the walls behind the tanks and sumps? Just wondering how many of you have done this or have done something different to prevent salt / water spray damage to your walls. What about the floors? Currently short carpet. In the past I have always seen slight water/ stand damage to my carpets.

Thanks

 

Is this going to be a display room? Sump/fuge room? Quarantine/frag tank room? Combo?

I've got a fair amount of background with the latter two, but need to know your use before I can give the best advice based on my experience.

 

It's in the basement of this house I just bought. I was planning on using it as my aquarium room where all of the above might be applicable. Not to say that I may still have a display tank on main floor but that might happen later on. But yes more of a combo room.

 

A few things I would recommend:

- Segment the room so you have a utility room area separate from the display area. Studs and drywall is cheap and easy. Use this for filtration, storage, etc.
- Put in a sink. So useful to have a sink next to everything
- If you can put a drain in the floor, that is a big plus, for... you know. Also, makes water changes easy.
- Use greenboard for the walls instead of standard drywall. I used the stuff for showers under my stand. Greenboard isn't water proof, but it handles damp much better than standard drywall. The stuff for showers will deal with the occasional spill well. I wouldn't put tile on the wall unless you really want it.
- For the floors, if it is a display room then tile is best. For a sump/utility room keep it concrete.
- Run separate electrical circuits.
- Plan for a spot to put a fresh water make up tank and water change tank(s).
- Plan for a tee off the cold water feed to the sink for an RO unit. Also plan for the waste water drain.

 

Hmmmm. Great planning tips thanks....

 

Shower pan liner is nice.

I used one single vinyl sheet for my flooring. Having a window in the room is helpful with temp control.