ZAPCOnj's 900 +/- Gallon Future basement project... need some advice/input!

[ZAPCOnj]

As some of you know i will be having something of a large display system in my basement. I had a little time today to do a rough layout of the Finished basement for the new house (scheduled to be completed later this year). For those of you who have no idea what i am talking about, I'll be having Three display tanks in total.

• 300 gal FOWLR Center display tank
• 200 gal Reef
• 200 gal Predator tank
• TWO 100 gal tanks for two sump set ups

I have the center 300 gal tank and one of the two 200 gal tank sitting in storage. The 3rd and the two 100 gal sumps should be at the LFS in about 2 weeks. All 3 tanks are Drilled and are Starfire glass. Lighting for these tanks will all be Coral Dynamics LED HQI replacements and T5 actinic supplements In catalina Aquarium housings (unless steve comes up with an LED Actinic solution!) in total i'm thinking i will have roughly a 900 +/- gallon system (on top of any frag tanks i may set up)

The basement in the new house has a nice "cove" built in it and is perfect for the 3 tank set up that i have in mind. There is also a fresh water (tap water) and Drain (great for water changes) that passes right by it to where the bar is going to be. I still have to do some more accurate measurements but from my preliminary as built all 3 tanks should fit with room to spare.

there are also 2 utlity rooms that can function as a sump/filter room. both have power and water connections as well as drains. I just need to figure out what one i want to use as the sump/filter room. of course whatever room i decide to use i will have to have some plumbing work done to get the PVC pipes to and from the display tanks.

Here is the preliminary layout i came up with today.

please note: the center tank is mislabeled as a 280 it is infact a 300gal tank.


Each tank will be built in to the wall in the cove and the corners in between the center and the side tanks will have corner shelving for the GF to display her Saltwater related Swarzovski Crystals. I could have each stand built to accommodate individual sumps but I'm looking for a little more simplicity with maintaining a large system.

I really like the idea of a SUMP/FILTER room. I would do two sumps One for the REEF and FOWLR tank and one for the Predator tank I would also have a little less plumbing to do with the RODI system and ATO system since i could have the Fresh water bulk tank in the room and shorter lines to top off the sump. The sump room will also allow me to keep some frag tanks in there.... IF i did the separate sumps i could always run a 40 breeder in the finished Basement along one of the walls or build it in to one of the closets

what do you guys think? Separate sumps under each tank? or a sump/filter room?

[funkpolice]

I think the separate room is a good idea, it's too bad it isn't closer to the tanks. That's going to be a pretty sweet basement. I wish I had one.
bill

[ReeferMadness08]

Hey just to chime in, I own a countertop company who fabricates custom corian and granite countertops and also has a reef addiction. If you want to incorporate any of these materials into your project please let me know, I would love a chance to get creative with the design. Good luck with whatever you decide. ~Corey

[ReefLady]

Wow... I really can't wait to see this creation....

Brazil nuts. Well, I like them all, but... nevermind.

Anyway, I like the idea of a sump room a lot, but my only concern would be combining the sump of a FO/predator (heavy bioload) tank, with that of a reef tank....

Who knows? I think it could work (and be really cool)...

[mzreenie]

I'm a newbie so I won't offer an opinion about sumps, but I sure can't wait to see the finished project.

And I like all the nuts..................

[ZAPCOnj]

Originally Posted by ReefLady

Anyway, I like the idea of a sump room a lot, but my only concern would be combining the sump of a FO/predator (heavy bioload) tank, with that of a reef tank....

If i do the sump room the Predator tank would have it's own Sump and the FOWLR and the REEF would share a sump. do you think that it would work like that?

[ReefLady]

If i do the sump room the Predator tank would have it's own Sump and the FOWLR and the REEF would share a sump. do you think that it would work like that?

Yes, definitely. As long as the FOWLR does not have an extremely heavy bioload. Are you looking at integrating a refugium for any nutrient export?

I love the idea - I want to sit in the cove -- sounds better than Imax. ;-)

[rmlevasseur]

What? You slight the mighty macadamia???

I'd keep the reef on a separate sump. Holy humidity batman. I'm not sure what the humidity is like East of Reality, but damn...

[ZAPCOnj]

The sumps will be set up similar to my ADHI sump with an integrated Fuge as well as space for all the usual "behind the scenes" equipment to keep the display area clear of clutter.

the Macadamia is one of my favorite but i didn't want to have a ton of choices.

[ReefLady]

Mmmmm.....macadamias... yummm......

[wazzifam]

I vote all of the above on nuts
... And I hope you have the grandparents quarters figured in there as well. We of course will be bringing the tanks so start thinking how to incorporate all the needed rooms and equipment to build our tanks into the walls and building plans as well. I'll help with the cleaning and hubby will take care of the yard for you. See you soon...

[new reefer 03]

Pecans all the way!

[goldenmacman]

wow looks like a cool little set up.. will the tanks all share the same water or will they be seperate? will you be building this yourself?? I say the two sump rooms will do, have nice filtration and automation so that you have little maintenance...

[ZAPCOnj]

Originally Posted by goldenmacman

wow looks like a cool little set up.. will the tanks all share the same water or will they be seperate? will you be building this yourself?? I say the two sump rooms will do, have nice filtration and automation so that you have little maintenance...

at the moment i'm thinking that the REEF and the FOWLR will be on the same sump and the Predator tank will have it's own. The Predator tank will have a bigger bioload than the reef and the FOWLR so as to not risk something bad down the road it's better to have it on it's own system.

a buddy of mine will help with some of the carpentry work. and the builder will do the rest. one of the guys at my LFS maintains large systems only (500+gallons) for a company out of FL and he will be helping me get things going on my system as well.

if i do the sump room it is looking like the one that is closest will be it. I don't think it would be practical to have the pipes run all across the room to the far one.

[goldenmacman]

i mean it could work.. just more spots to fail later..... but in your drawing, whats going to be in the center of the room? and how big is this area? also, cant you remove that closet next to the 1st sump and make a sump big enough for both..