Why should I convert my closet to a fish room?

[Pprice01]

Hello all,

I am going to be setting up my new 180 and wanted to get your opinion as to what I should do about my system to take the most advantage of my space.

My tank will have a 38" high stand and a matching canopy. Here's the design of the tank:

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From Aquarium Design

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I have a Reeflo Hammerhead to run the CL and have seen others put Tees into thier returns to drive other items but maybe I should run a third pump for any additional items instead of branching the CL.

My sump is slated to go into the stand, and will be fed by the bean drain which will run vertically straight down into the skimmer section. It will be 48"x18.5"x20" with the standard 3 compartments. I was thinking of having the skimmer on the left with a 12"x18.5"x11" space, then the bubble trap, a return section in the middle that's 16"x18.5" (Eheim 1260 for ~3x turnover through the sump) and then a fuge section on the right that takes the remainder of the space, maybe 18"W x 15"H. I will be placing the baffles soon so please let me know if this should be changed.

I could also, if it makes sense, plumb directly downstairs to my garage (maybe for RODI production and water change station?) - but I live in Vegas so temperature swings are pretty drastic (<32 - >110) so the water most likely couldn't be used directly in the system from the garage without a holding station in the house.

I also have bookshelves on either side of where the aquarium will sit and can plumb behind them to a closet that isn't too large, but it's only ~3' away. Here's a picture of the wall - the bookshelves will separate and I'll remove the middle section to place the tank there. Once the tank is in place and the bookshelves on either side, I will have 1/2" clearance on either side to the wall/closet.

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From Aquarium Design

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What would you do with this setup?

Place the CL pump in the closet?

Make a secondary water holding/changing station in the closet and/or garage?

I am really curiuos to see what you would do with this space if you were me.

Thanks,

Paul

[Pprice01]

I don't mean why, more like "how" should I take the most advantage of the space.

ANY responses are appreciated.

[125G Reefer]

Definately use the closet space. Hide all your tank items, Sump, mixers, RO/DI perhaps. Sounds like a good plan if you ask me. Just how big or small is this closet spce?? If going that route, plumb through the wall. Make a cut behind the tank on the low side, plumb it through. It will be queit on the tank side. =)

[Pprice01]

Thank you very much 125 -

The closet isn't directly behind the tank, but off to the side about 3 feet away. I had planned on running my sump in the stand, arer younsaying I'd be better off running it in the closet?

I plan on opening the wall and putting a drain line in for water changes as well as lines to carry water from a Rodi reservoir in the garage below up to smaller ato and salt containers in the closet.

Anything anyone else can think of?