How would you spend 10k for a 8'lx2'wx3'h Setup

[Doug]

Welcome to Canreef Reggie. Looks like a great project. I will move this thread to the reef forum for a better response.

[Reefer Rob]

Yup, it looks too tight. If this is a fish only system the tank dimensions would be good. If you are planning on a reef I would go with 8'L X 24"D X 36"W. It'll be easier to work on, better light for the corals, and look way cooler.

[mseepman]

I agree with everyone that your room is probably a little too tight for the size of tank that you are hoping to have. A 36" deep tank will need some type of ladder or catwalk to reach into it and that will take some signifcant space from you.

Also, I was wondering why you put your sump as far away from the tank as you have. This just involves more plumbing, bigger pumps and more opportunities for problems.

Here is a good build thread for you to look at which shows some of the things you should look at.
http://www.reeflounge.com/showthread.php?t=24425

Otherwise, sounds great! By the way, how often do you have 24 people over to watch a movie? lol

[Joe Reefer]

Wow thats going to be a sweet pad. Look foward to pics.

[untamed]

Plan for RO/DI water storage somewhere in the fish room. You also need a sink and room for an additional tank for saltwater mixing.

I like that the sump is not squished under the tank, but I would try to find room for a longer sump as opposed the square one you have in drawing.

I also think that exposing the corner of the tank to the pool room is a 1st class idea.

[sharuq1]

I would go insane trying to reach down 3'. Knowing me everything would fall down just where I couldn't get it with arm or grabber thingie. (Note: buy grabber thingie, lol)

A big sink I agree would be a great addition. Everyone has chimed in with some great ideas already. If you could vent to the outside that would also cut down on heat and humidity. The addition of an auto water change system would be an enormous plus for a tank that size. Make sure you put in lots of GFCI outlets.

[Zylumn]

Tank is too close to the furnace unless it is a G60V or equivalent. Also check out this tank and spend 8-9 k on goodies. http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=38000

[Pan]

I'd build the room the tank is in with a slight grade and a drain in it. Also waterproof/rubberize the floors. You will also need a massive water/change salt mixing station, you can buy big food grade containers from all sorts of plastic vendors among other places. Humidity control is a must especially with everything else you have in your basement. I would suggest dedicated electrical for the fish tank room with appropriate fault protections in place

[rdnicolas]

OMG Thats would work well for my setup at a fraction of the cost. Thx for the link I pm'd him to see if its still available.

[rdnicolas]

Zylumn Thanks for the link. I purchased This tank! The overall dimensions are 84lx24wx40h w/ 3/4" glass. When you first posted the link it had already been sold but lucky for me it fell through. Arek was exceptional, kind and very helpful too.

Now I just have to find a qualified moving company in Calgary to bring it up to Edmonton. Any suggestions?

Just when I thought the day could not be any better my laptop fried as I was revising my CAD drawing. It doesn't boot up anymore. I hope my information is still on the hard drive so I can recover it.... I'm going to bring it in to work tomorrow to see if the IT Dept can retrieve my files.

Regarding my original layout. I'm playing with the idea of forgoing the in-wall setup for a standalone tank w/ custom millwork. The reason is that if we were to move to another house, it would be less work to tear the system down for transfer. I still plan though to use the furnace room for the sump and rest of equipment.

I start framing the basement in the next few days so I'll take some pics as the work progresses.