New Fish Room - Advice on Layout/Equipment

jlnielsen13 · 12/28/2014, 10:16 PM

Hello Reefers,

I started a build thread seen here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2465101&page=2
But wanted to get some specific help with what to put in my fish room. What equipment/layouts have been helpful to you in the past?

SO A LOT has happened in the last 3 days including my decision to rip apart my basement and build a FISH ROOM!!! This room will provide the "guts" for two tanks, my current 140 and my brand new yet to be set up 300 gallon. This will include all equipment, sumps etc.

Please take a look at what I did and let me know if you think I need additional support!

This is my dad as we ripped out all the drywall.. The wall you can see is directly under the I joist that is supporting the tank>

As you can see I used 4x6 posts and headers at both ends of the eight foot tank and tied then in using a 4x6 header. I do not have a post running down directly under the front corner, it is about 2 feet holding up another joist. I am assuming that the cross header will support all that weight.

Framed out

Drywall and door finished.

View inside the fish room..

Here is where I am at today:

Fish room.... what fish room?? (Wife is happy to have basement back)

Here's what it looks like on the inside!

I have to do a little more work but then it will be on to plumbing and figuring out the skematics of where everything goes.

All advice is appreciated! Especially people who have a basement fish room.

I also added another 2x12 "joist" that runs along the front edge of the tank. I think it should give me some additional support, thoughts?

Thanks

JIM

Thanks,

Jim

benihana · 12/29/2014, 05:29 AM

In the last pic, it looks like it is the 4x6's that are spanning the joists, what is holding the 4x6's up? Screws?

jonnyu · 12/29/2014, 06:14 AM

At least 55 gallon drums. One for mixing one saltwater one for ro. You can stack ro on top then let gravity drain to lower tank. I like this type of setup with automatic water changes. I am currently using a stenner pump for ATO and AWC. This makes life very easy.

Where is the water drain ?

jlnielsen13 · 12/29/2014, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benihana

In the last pic, it looks like it is the 4x6's that are spanning the joists, what is holding the 4x6's up? Screws?

Hello,

There are 4x6 posts one on each end of the 5 foot span holding up the 4x6's.

Thanks,
jIM

jlnielsen13 · 12/29/2014, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnyu

At least 55 gallon drums. One for mixing one saltwater one for ro. You can stack ro on top then let gravity drain to lower tank. I like this type of setup with automatic water changes. I am currently using a stenner pump for ATO and AWC. This makes life very easy.

Where is the water drain ?

Great Idea on the drums and using gravity. The drain is in the bathroom right next door, gonna have to run pipe through the wall.

Can you explain your auto water change system??

Thanks,
JIM

jonnyu · 12/29/2014, 09:51 AM

Well I use a dual head pump That is hooked up to my apex. It runs for a few minutes every couple hours. I one head picks up nsw and puts in the sump and the other head picks up water from the sump and drains down the bathroom drain. So it changes about 50 gallons every 3 weeks. This keeps water parameters more stable.

12/28/2014, 10:16 PM	#1
jlnielsen13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 599	New Fish Room - Advice on Layout/Equipment Hello Reefers, I started a build thread seen here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2465101&page=2 But wanted to get some specific help with what to put in my fish room. What equipment/layouts have been helpful to you in the past? SO A LOT has happened in the last 3 days including my decision to rip apart my basement and build a FISH ROOM!!! This room will provide the "guts" for two tanks, my current 140 and my brand new yet to be set up 300 gallon. This will include all equipment, sumps etc. Please take a look at what I did and let me know if you think I need additional support! This is my dad as we ripped out all the drywall.. The wall you can see is directly under the I joist that is supporting the tank> As you can see I used 4x6 posts and headers at both ends of the eight foot tank and tied then in using a 4x6 header. I do not have a post running down directly under the front corner, it is about 2 feet holding up another joist. I am assuming that the cross header will support all that weight. Framed out Drywall and door finished. View inside the fish room.. Here is where I am at today: Fish room.... what fish room?? (Wife is happy to have basement back) Here's what it looks like on the inside! I have to do a little more work but then it will be on to plumbing and figuring out the skematics of where everything goes. All advice is appreciated! Especially people who have a basement fish room. I also added another 2x12 "joist" that runs along the front edge of the tank. I think it should give me some additional support, thoughts? Thanks JIM Thanks, Jim

12/29/2014, 05:29 AM	#2
benihana Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Prior Lake, Minnesota Posts: 1,230	In the last pic, it looks like it is the 4x6's that are spanning the joists, what is holding the 4x6's up? Screws? __________________ Currently tankless, but have a few things in the works

12/29/2014, 06:14 AM	#3
jonnyu Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2,038	At least 55 gallon drums. One for mixing one saltwater one for ro. You can stack ro on top then let gravity drain to lower tank. I like this type of setup with automatic water changes. I am currently using a stenner pump for ATO and AWC. This makes life very easy. Where is the water drain ?

12/29/2014, 09:51 AM	#6
jonnyu Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2,038	Well I use a dual head pump That is hooked up to my apex. It runs for a few minutes every couple hours. I one head picks up nsw and puts in the sump and the other head picks up water from the sump and drains down the bathroom drain. So it changes about 50 gallons every 3 weeks. This keeps water parameters more stable.