P's new home

I almost put this in bucket... then decided I'd ask for some advise about my future tank... so in general... feel free to move mods



Anyway, P thinks he's found his new homestead. Put earnest money down on a 10 acre tract of solid forest. Hope to close soon...


We'll keep it forest as that's what I dig (except for where I cut out to put my personal shooting range (50 yards, I'm thinking, if you're curious)). But we are building! YAY, no more house hunting.


As part of the plans, we're including the plan to upgrade to a in-wall tank in the neighborhood of 200-300 gallons for the DT. Going for LENGTH over height here. I'd rather a 6-8 foot tank that's shallower (<30 inches) over a really deep 4 foot wide tank.

The plan is that we'll move the 55 to the same room and later build out that room with a false wall to make a fish room behind it. I love my current fish room and can't imagine not having one anymore.

I'll cycle that tank normally and add contents of the 55 to it later and move the 55 over and plumb it in as the refugium (or maybe I'll buy a new tank for that and use the 55 for something else...)

See what's happening? The room will be made extra big to accommodate a later added wall with built in tank. One project at a time, eh and I don't want the expense of the tank immediately upon moving in, and I don't want a big hole in the wall either.



So, if you could build from ground up, how would you do this? How deep of a room? What are some standard tank sizes that are longish over deepish? (I am finding lots of deep ones on the net, but not long shallowish ones).


I know to plan for plumbing with a sink and an infloor drain (that will be covered with wood or tile floors and marked probably to begin with). I know I'm not going to have a window on that wall.

I also think I'll vent it like the bathroom. I do not feel a chiller will ever be necessary (we'll see though). I do think I'll want to have a way to access outside air though (for the skimmer and O).

I plan on putting that one wall on its own circuit during construction. Figuring 1 20amp should do it.


Also, opinions on what room in the house is best suited to a in wall... currently thinking dining room or formal living (or "great room" as the plans put it).


For those that remember PackLeader's 210 with the planned seahorse tank under it as the refuge... I'm planning something along those lines.


Throw advise and opinions at me. Who knows what will be helpful.

Thanks
P


Another interesting tidbit about the house plans... We are going geothermal. 300' ft wells (5 probably). That should be fun. So go P for going Green.

 

I don't know about all the technical aspects, but how exciting!! Building your own home will be such an exciting (and stressful!) experience - but well worth it. And yay for going green!!

I think you should start a long running thread with updates on the house build (and LOTS of pictures!). Congrats!!

 

I'm sure I will... Should be fun. We got a ways to go though. I'm still trying to persuade the lady an underground tunnel with access from the master bedroom is a good idea... one battle at a time i reckon

 

Extra big room? I would say great room would be best then. How about 30'X45'? Those extra 10-15 ft accommodating for the fish/maintenance room? Or you could go a little long on the 30 making it a rectangle?

 

Congratulations on your new (upcoming) digs! Man that'd be a dream come true for me. Since your building the options are almost endless for a huge inwall. Here's what I think I'd do if I had that opportunity.

Since I wouldn't be able to take the project on now I would definately get it set up for when the time came. Since I would want a huge build I'd get with the designers and work with them to incorporat the floor under and the wall(s) the tank would go into with the equipment room behind the tank. I'd make sure that no wiring need for the house was routed thru the stud in any wall(s) the tank would later occupy. Since I would build an inwall ply/glass system I would as add that into the plans. I'd work along side the builders and install/seal all of the plywood for the tank. I'd use a 2 part epoxy system and 8# fiberglass cloth since I couldn't leak test it until much later. I'd also install all of the overflows and return bulk heads at this time. The equipment room would sit behind the main part of the tank and have access but would be no more than a walk in closet until the build actual build began. I would have the electricians run a line to it from the main and have a breaker box and the needed amount of breakers installed while they were there.
The face wall(s) of the tank could be finished as normal and with the blueprints in hand I'd know exactly where the tank was when I got ready to tear the wall down, install the glass and build the face of the tank.

 

great ideas! I knew it was good of me to ask I don't know why it didn't occur to me to have the room there to begin with/framed out... walk in closet like you say - with a sink :laughings



Also, forgot to mention as it goes without saying down here, but this will be a concrete slab.

 

Yep since it's not even on paper yet, like I said, the possibilities are endless. You can completely set up the electrical and plumbing for everything and it's all right behind a closed door and wall so it won't distract from the beauty of your new home. I envy you right now. ;D

 

Dude, this would be so awesome.

 

Very cool dude. Congrats!

 

Sounds like a plan P.

Yes, house hunting sux, so this way you can build what you want. Also, you don't have to fix stuff that the previous owner neglected to do.


I hear that home builders are needing work, so it's cheaper to build a new one that buy an existing one. Granted, you need to pay attention to the products being used. Some products are not worth the savings in $$. Knowing your attention to detail as well as one can through the internet, you'll be fine


So, are you making, or buying the display tank? I can coach you through making a woody if you want. There is no better way to get exactly the size tank you want, and everything where you want it, by making a woody. Also it would save $$ versus buying a glass tank.