Ryans new build (Planning stage)
 

So I am buying a house in Fort Saskatchewan I will be moving in on May 6th, So I have decided to do a real build not just buy a tank and stand that is already plumbed and start it up. So I think I am going to use my current tank 96X24X24 as a FOWLR Predator style, I am going to have my crosshatch trigger pair, an eel or two, Lion Fish, a big angel and other fish I couldn't put in my reef.

I also want to set up a smaller tank possibly a 36x36x24 cube or a 48x36x24 as an sps tank. I am trying to decide if I should get the tank custom made or if I should just get the glass cut and put it together by myself. I just don't know if it is worth all the extra work and stress putting it together myself.

I am not going to rush into this build like the other ones Ive done I wouldn't be surprised if I dont have fish in these tanks for another year.
Once I figure out what I am going to do for the basement floor plan I will post some possible designs.

OK here is the floor plan of my house I want the tanks to be in my basement because it is unfinished I just dont know where to put them.
Here is the one that the developer suggests
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...shouse0002.jpg
and here is a blank one for all of you that would like to draw up a floor plan option for me.
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...shouse0003.jpg
I would like to have a family room area, fish room, and a bedroom down there.

For your smaller tank would you just consider a Marineland Deep Dimension tank? Their 200G is 48x36x27 and is available in starfire. It would be much easier than building and cheaper than custom:

OK here is the floor plan I made
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...ouse0003-1.jpg
I dont know what size to make the sps tank I know I want it 48 long and 24 high I just dont know how deep I should make it since it will only viewable from one side.

Here is another possible plan.
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...shouse0004.jpg
Any input would greatly be appreciated. thanks

Get the builder, or if you're handy to run some water lines, electrical and ideally cut over a drain over to the fish room. Also for the room should look into installing a HRV or at least a vent for an exhaust fan.

Second drawing for the 2 sided viewing on the cube better but when laying out also think about function of the family room (how would you position a couch so you could see the tank and a TV, lighting, glare, etc).

Why not make a 1 peice L shaped tank and then section it off when ready for sps

Here is a drawing of how I would like to set up the family room.
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...shouse0005.jpg
I will be installing a tub sink in the fish room so I will be cutting a drain through the concrete into the fish room. I will be looking into hrv systems.

Are you planing to connect your FOWLR and your SPS tank to the same sump???

This is a very bad idea. Your FOWLR tank is huge and you will never be able to get your nitrates down to a level that your SPS will grow.

I would also not mix lions and triggers, some get away with it (for a period of time), but for the most part you are looking at a disaster.

.....look into installing a HRV or at least a vent for an exhaust fan (that is great advice, you will have a lot of water in the house)

It looks like you are trying to do things right, so I would research a few of the ideas here.

.......going to be a fantastic build, have fun!

\I already have the 96x24x24 tank and L shaped tanks probably cost alot to build and would probably have to be built on site as it would be so heavy to move.

Thanks for the extra info I never thought to even check if I could put lion fish with triggers. I dont think I will have to much of a problem with nitrates and I want to set up an auto water change so I would have to do it twice if I had the tanks separated I also hate testing water so if I only have one system of water I would do it more often.