Thinking about building a custom 380 gallon...

[cooskid]

I have a cubby in my house that currently has shelves in it that I have been thinking about having a custom tank built for. It will be a FOWLR tank.
The good thing about this location is that there is a 18" wide x 24" deep x 96" tall closet to the right that I can put all of the pumps, filters, and other equipment in. Also, behind the tank is a bathroom and I plan on hooking into the drain for the tub with a valve that will be used to do water changes.
My concerns are that the planned dimensions of the tank are 47" wide x 24 1/4" deep x 78 1/2" tall (with the back 4 1/4" being used for an over flow, making the tank just over 387 gallons) and the tank would be next to my pellet stove (about 18" away and the stove has a large airspace around it).
So, my questions are, do you think that the tank will be too deep to light properly? Do you think a chiller will work well enough to offset the heat from the pellet stove? What other problems do you forsee with the tank?

 

[salt210]

for the lighting I dont think that you will have a problem just for the fact that it will be fish only. as for heat, how hot does it stay in that spot?

 

[vinnyraptor]

+1 lighting isnt an issue in a FOWLR maybe you can insulate the space between the stove and tank?

 

[small triggers]

the problem you are going to have if you want decent sized fish to take up the space is that most marine fish swim more sideways than vertically. Why so tall? are you going to have it sitting on the floor or on a stand? Im not getting why it needs to be 6ft tall, the height other than water volume really isnt going to do you that much good.....and what are you going to do for filtration? are you going to have any sand or live rock? how are you going to clean a tank that deep? My suggestion would be to have a stand built for it and the same base as a normal stand like 30-36 inches tall and do a 3 ft tall tank. more ease of use and wont look like a small column stuck there, more built in like your shelves were. (and a picture would really help here)

 

[aquaknight]

Yea, those dimensions aren't really that great for a fowlr. As stated, most of the fish for your typical 400gal tank, Large tangs/angels, triggers, etc, swimming longitudinally. Height isn't that important of a factor.
That tank would make for probably the largest non-public aquarium seahorse tank, but for larger fish it's not going to work particularly well.

 

[cooskid]

Pics as requested.
What sucks is the opening is only 47" wide or I would put my 90 gallon in there. The thing that sucks worse, is the wall to the right is load bearing so I can't change it.

 

[salt210]

I was thinking that the wording for the dimensions was off didnt even think about the tank actually being 70 something inches deep.

 

[small triggers]

personally, I would build a stand inplace of the shelves, making it 30ish - 36ish inches high, to put a sump in. I would make the tank fit inplace and 36 inches tall as wide and as deep as will fit and i think that will look nice and built in.

 

[cooskid]

So, after posting here and reading other places, I have changed the dimensions of the tank. I am going to go with a 47" wide, 42" tall, 24.25" deep tank with a 36" cabnet under the tank. The tank is going to go to the current top of the cubby. I am going to raise the top on the inside of the cubby and make the space above open into the closet, so I can access the tank from the closet. All the equipment will be under the tank now and I will still tie into the drain for water changes. With the new dimensions, the tank will be around 205 gallons. With this set up, when you walk up to the tank you will be looking into the middle and not looking down to view. Also, this design will make it look like an awesome built in.
As for the pellet stove, it is an insert and is in an old wood burning firebox, which is fire brick lined. The space behind the tile in the pic is open air space. I am thinking about opening up that air space and packing it with insulation to create a better heat shield. Not cmpletely sure yet. I will definitely be adding a chiller to the set up, just to be safe.
Now I need to figure out the filtration and other equipment I want. This will be my first salt tank, so any input would be appreciated.

 

[salt210]

you will def want to go with a sump system like that on melevs reef. as for a skimmer the height that you decided to make the cabinet under the tank will make your options more open. I dont know your budget but I heard ASM is a good brand.

 

[small triggers]

The only problem i have with your idea is the top. You need to have room for lighting and if you are thinking of making it almost 4 ft deep you need to be able to get into it somehow incase something dies or needs moved. You may want to lower the height inorder to allow for a canopy type cover that will allow better access than from inside the closet, and lessen the depth so you can get into it without having to put a wetsuit on and practically swim in it.

 

[crypt keeper]

Why not do like a huge nano type tank? Have your overflow up against the wall and have the tank be almost a room serperator? You could have it come out 5 feet off the wall.

 

[cooskid]

salt210: Thanks for the input. There isn't a budget, just want to do it right the first time and not get stuff I don't need.
small triggers: I will have ample room to get to stuff from the top as I am building up into the attic and the roof is 7' over the top of the cubby. I think 3 1/2' is not to tall. If I need to I can make custom tools to get the job done.
crypt keeper: I don't have room for that, but I like the idea.

 

[crypt keeper]

make room silly

 

[salt210]

I say go for it. as long as you have ample room to get into the tank from above.

 

[florida joe]

IMO you should consider a reef tank with that height and if you have the ability to make your own live rocks you could built something really wonderful

 

[cooskid]

Thanks for all the input. I am starting to get a list of stuff to buy. I will keep you all posted.