Tell me what you would build....

[cooskid]

Dimensions: 78” tall, 47” wide, 24” deep. Will have 10’ of access above the tank if needed.
I originally posted some thoughts on this space in the FOWLR section, but I am thinking that I want a reef tank with live rock, inverts, fish, but I am undecided on coral. Since no one seemed to like my ideas, let me know what you would do. I am thinking more inverts on the rocks then fish. I want a really nice display tank.
The bad part about the location is that it is only 47” wide or I could buy a tank and put it in there. Well, my 90 would be in there. So I have to have a tank made. The wall is load bearing so it is cheaper to make a tank then move the wall, as much as I would love to move it for the extra 24".
I would really like to have that built in look. Behind the tank is a bathroom and I still plan on hooking into the drain for the tub with a valve that will be used to do water changes.
So, what would you build for in there?
Dimensions of the tank and stand?
Lighting?
Filtration?
Basically, give me a list of everything you would buy as well as why and what you would build for that space so I can do some research and see what will work for me. Please, no flaming.

 

[mr.reef]

well i think it will be beast if u do it trust me u will want coral they r so much fun when u get the hang of it.. as far as lighting go with the mh lighting even if u dont keep corals it will keep it very bright.. and filtration go with the fuge they are fun.. but keep us up dated........

 

[cooskid]

Thank you for the input. I am kinda frustrated because I want something that looks nice, but I don't know what to do. It sucks that the width is what it is. My last thought was to make a 47" wide, 24" deep, and 42" tall tank, but everyone says that won't work, so what will?

 

[loopy101]

i do have a question for ya just think about it now before you get to far indepth with the project! how often do you use that fire place? might want to check out how hot that area gets. just a thought!!!!

 

[cooskid]

Thanks for the input. The pellet stove is an insert into the old wood burning fire box. There is space between the stove and the fire bricks. The area behind the tile in the wall is open air. The cubby doesn't get any hotter then the rest of the room, which when the stove is on is the high 70's. My freshwater tank is in the same room about 8 feet away from the cubby and the temp never changes with the stove on. I do plan on adding a chiller though to be safe.

 

[cooskid]

Here is anouther shot of the area.

 

[cranberry]

I would knock out that whole corner and have it visible from the room and the hallway. Whatever room behind there would be the back end of the tank and my fish room.

 

[cooskid]

As stated in the original post, the wall is load bearing or I would knock it out. I would love to make that space wider and get more width for the tank. The room behind it is a bathroom, more specifically, the shower is behind it.
Although a window to the shower might not always be a bad thing.

 

[fishkid13]

You could make a lagoon. Get some 4x4 for post and build it up from the bottom and have a custom tank made for the space.You could have it like 2ft deep or so and make the aquascape in a U-shape and have towers in the middle so the fish can swim freely and it will be cool to look at. And just put a sump and/or fuge down beneath the stand. Above it you could make a pull out light rack for easy acsess. Just a thought.

 

[cooskid]

Okay, so I might have an idea on how to get a 48" wide tank in there. I am going to remove the wall board completely and leave it bare studs in the cubby. That should give me the 48” I need. I went looking at tanks and glasscages has a 150 tall tank that is 48x24x31. What I am thinking is a 30” stand, a 31” tank which will leave 17” to get into the tank. Do you think that 31” is too deep to light properly? How high above the tank can I have the lights and still have them be effective? This way I can run my plumbing behind the tank and between the studs.