Maybe Kevin is going to have to start making more controllers to sell. Food from you, controllers from Kevin, it will soon be a one stop shop.

What happened to your RKE?

Nothing, its running the 180g. Kevin is making his own because that was the deal, I got the RKE, and he gets to build one to try out on the big tank.

I'm looking for an electronic float switch, maybe two, to look at a continuous feeding model for the 180g for clams and SPS>

I was also browsing the forums on RC today and came across this, Kuramura's solution to adding more lighting to his system without adding more wattage.
I think its really ingenious, and innovative. Its making me revisit my ideas on light movers for the big system.

So we taped out some options today for the big tank.

Option 1: 13ft (156") Long x 3.5ft (42") Deep x 2ft (24") Tall = 680.7g
This tank would be 3ft above the ground for optimal viewing when standing or seated.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0420.jpg

Some buckets for perspective
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0422.jpg

Pros:
- 13ft is a lovely length
- 3ft or 3.5ft of depth is easy for me to reach

Cons:
- Giving up the only window in the basement
- Loose approximately 6ft from the current room for the tank and a walkway behind

Option 2: 10ft (120") to 15ft (180") Long x 4ft (48") Deep x 2ft (24") Tall = 598.4g to 897.7g

Pros:
- In-wall design, means we only loose about 1ft of space from the entire room
- Length can be expanded up to 15ft
- Get to keep the window
- More spare for a moveable light rack
- Sump could be under the display and accessible from both sides

This shows a 10ft length
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0424.jpg

Where the back of the tank would go
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0426.jpg

Under the stairs where the tank some of the tank would be.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0427.jpg

I'm leaning towards option 2. It just has so many more pros then the original design. It would also allow us the added benefit of more space for entertaining in our basement.

And a lovely little winter suprise....you know your cold air intake is really bringing in cold air when:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0429.jpg

***jealous!****

and I thought my 8X3X2 tank was big

I like option 2 much better. You didn't even list any "cons" for option 2.

I'd say option 2 @ the 15ft length... :mrgreen: That would be an amazing tank.. That 12footer on Nano-Reef is truly amazing.. I could only imagine a longer, fatter, deeper version.. (did that sound dirrrrty?!?)

Option 2 sounds like the way to go. Option 1 leaves little room for anything other than tank watching. Option 2 allows you some freedom for decorating, furniture, etc.

I can't really think of cons for option 2 since its a newer option....

Oh wait! Option No.2 cons:
- More demo required to get it set up properly into place, the wall will need to be completely replaced.
- More lighting required for longer tank, if we do over 13ft, thus higher costs.
- Will have a smaller work area (lower ceiling) behind a part of the tank due to the stairs, furnace, and hot water tank.
- The stupid telepost will still have to stay where it is. I have no love for this thing. It will still be skinned in whatever goes with the rest of the decor.

I will have to think on this for a couple of weeks. Go sit with the outline and decide if its really what I want, and make sure that its really what Kevin wants too. There are also new logistics that need to be worked out with this design; access to the fish room, maintenance access, costs for running the tank, set-up costs on the different dimensions, etc.

Things I definitely do know though regardless of which option we go with;
- tank will be over 500g
- will have a fish room, completely closed off from the rest of the house
- my lighting will try and be as power-bill friendly as possible, how yet, I don't know.
- I am going to eliminate the need to schlep buckets for anything, water changes, or adding top-off water to the top-off container.

I vote option 2 as well! Very cool dimensions. How big is that room? I think it looks really small and to make it smaller with the tank IN the room would be a shame. You need room with a big tank to look at it from a good distance and take it all in.

I usually feel jealous of the big tanks (around 300G) but not this one :mrgreen: I just cringe at the cost of lighting and maintaining it! Actually even more when I think of the time it will take to maintain it...Your brave :biggrin:

Going to be amazing though to watch someone else take this on. I would never want a tank this big but I love seeing them :razz:

So your not building this one yourself though right?