Office Aquarium Setup?

Spiker101 · 01/31/2015, 09:18 AM

Hey guys I am considering in getting back into the hobby. I had experience with nano-cube and was fairly successful at it. However I had to take a break from it for various reasons.

I am considering an office aquarium in next year so I am just in the planning stage. It will be in the waiting room of a pediatric/orthodontic dental office. It is pretty high traffic, there is going to be over 100 pairs of kids/parents going through per day.

I am having the hardest difficulty deciding which material to use. Some relevant information:

-200 Gallon
-3 way viewing (2 sides from 1 room, 1 side from another room. 1 short side for overflow).
-All Plumbings hidden. so external overflow box. And bottom panel will be drilled for return.
-Not limited on bracing options because it will be framed to the wall.

Starphire Glass:

Pro
#1 easier to clean

Con
#1 chance for catastrophic failure-my biggest fear is some kid just hit the aquarium. If it breaks on someone that would be huge liability for me. If I had this in my house it would defiantly be glass.
#2 silicon wears out in 10 years.
#3 Most likely need to custom build because I want external overflow. Also want to increase glass thickness to reduce the chance on #1

Acrylic
Pro
#1 A lot more break resistant.
#2 Can use standard size/premade

Con
#1 Scratches
#2 degrade by UV over time (not sure how much that is a factor)

Anyone else have an office aquarium in similar setting that may offer some insight? Especially regarding chance of breakage vs scratch by kids?

dkeller_nc · 01/31/2015, 10:10 AM

It might be better to post this in the "reef discussion" section (or request a moderator to move it to that section), since you're more likely to get folks that are physicians/dentists that have similar set-ups and could share their experiences.

One note - don't drill the bottom panel for a return unless you're installing it through an internal overflow. If you do this, the only way to prevent a disastrous flood if there's a power failure or return pump failure is with check valves, and check valves are extremely risky in a saltwater set-up because of encrusting growth. Especially in a place of business, this is an unacceptable risk just for aesthetic reasons.

Regarding tank breakage, it typically takes an intentional act to shatter a glass aquarium panel. No question, someone can do it by swinging a bat or a 2x4 into the tank's side, but if the tank's 3' high or higher at the bottom, I'd think the risk of a small child that doesn't know any better doing something like this is pretty low.

Reef Frog · 01/31/2015, 10:34 AM

If you decide to go with glass but still have worries and want to take every conceivable precaution regardless of cost, maybe look into a custom built tank with curved edges and/or the greatest possible glass thickness. I would bet some of the high end tank builders know how to produce a "built like a tank" product for public spaces like bars where real mayhem could erupt. It might be worthwhile to get some quotes and ideas from a pro and see what you're looking at. But all of this is probably unnecessary. However some kids are prone to banging on the front pane so a jump proof set up may be wise.

tkeracer619 · 01/31/2015, 10:53 AM

I have maintained a bunch of tanks in dentist offices. It is painfully common to hear nemo nemo nemo. It is also how I chose MY dentist, I got to see what goes on behind the scene

These are some of the tanks and some awesome examples of things to do at a dentist office.

There are more photos of these tanks @ http://www.aquaticartinc.com/portfolio.html

The Starphire Peninsula

The cabinet to the left on the overflow wall contains RO, top off equipment, and a salt mixing station.

The Divider. Acrylic

The bench top comes off and allows access the bottom panels. The top panel is like a rear hatch on an suv.

The Wall, cheapest solution if you already have a storage closet in the right area. Acrylic

All access comes from behind the door.

Here is my take on the glass vs acrylic thing in the office. Acrylic is completely doable but know that especially if your customers are primarily children (all these offices are) there will be a new booger on the view able panes every time you look around. The tank will be sprayed and wiped down at least once a day. If you use the proper cloth and a novus polishing spray it will keep the outside pretty much scratch free at all times unless something sharp is available for the destruct-o kid. So any worry about additional scratching from acrylic will be nullified if you just clean the tank with novus.

I've seen kids bang on glass tanks all day at the children's museum. I think you are fine. By the time they could actually do damage they know better. The most important thing is making sure it is impossible for the kids to get into the sump and filtration. The latches and mechs on all of those tanks are way too hard for a young child to pull open.

Also... pm sent. Don't want to post this tidbit out loud.

Also, consider educating your office members about the basics. A customers staff member once poured orange soap in a skimmer and nuked one of those 3 tanks because the skimmer was stinky.

I'd go starphire peninsula any day of the week.

Spiker101 · 01/31/2015, 11:37 AM

-Dkeller

I think I am going to take your advice and get an internal overflow and a longer tank just to compensate for volume lost.

-Reef Frog

If I go with glass I will defiantly, be doing custom/thicker glass

-tkeracer619

Wow. The Starphire Peninsula ispretty much exactly what I wanted. Is it closed system? (I dont see any powerheads). How much was that setup?

The divider tank in acrylic is also very nice. Up close do you see alot of microscrach/hazing? I heard if you clean stuff off the acrylic, it leaves microscratches. it then get dirty faster and you have to clean more often...like a feedback loop. Also what kind of life stock can scratch the panels?

bc9820 · 01/31/2015, 11:41 AM

hello

tkeracer619 · 01/31/2015, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiker101

-Dkeller

-tkeracer619

Wow. The Starphire Peninsula ispretty much exactly what I wanted. Is it closed system? (I dont see any powerheads). How much was that setup?

The divider tank in acrylic is also very nice. Up close do you see alot of microscrach/hazing? I heard if you clean stuff off the acrylic, it leaves microscratches. it then get dirty faster and you have to clean more often...like a feedback loop. Also what kind of life stock can scratch the panels?

Yeah, that's an awesome tank

. It was up there in cost, I'm not really at liberty to discuss exact financial details but they definitely didn't skimp. The tank itself came from miracles in canada. It is on a tubular steel stand. There are no powerheads on the end of the tank, the overflow is sized such that a sizeable pump (i think it's a snapper, pan world, or iwaki. been a few years..) could be used as the return pump. You can see two of the returns on the far end and there are two more on the back wall Which I think had penducters and was plenty of flow at first. Cris may have added additional flow on the overflow wall since or it may have had two maximods on it that I am forgetting. Tank is external overflow. SWC300A skimmer. 250w Metal halides.

The acrylic isn't in too bad of shape, it does scratch on the inside easier. You just have to take precaution that nobody who uses the magfloat (never leave this inside the tank) drags it through the sand or into snails on the glass. Triggers can thrash acrylic.

dkeller_nc · 01/31/2015, 01:44 PM

One other thought. If this is a "almost cost no object" sort of display because it's a business expense, you might consider giving ReefSavvy a call. There's no doubt their tanks are pricey, but they're also way overbuilt, with the specific thought of "failure is not an option". At the very least, they could give you some ideas on minimalistic overflows, thick glass, and the like.

01/31/2015, 10:53 AM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I have maintained a bunch of tanks in dentist offices. It is painfully common to hear nemo nemo nemo. It is also how I chose MY dentist, I got to see what goes on behind the scene These are some of the tanks and some awesome examples of things to do at a dentist office. There are more photos of these tanks @ http://www.aquaticartinc.com/portfolio.html The Starphire Peninsula The cabinet to the left on the overflow wall contains RO, top off equipment, and a salt mixing station. The Divider. Acrylic The bench top comes off and allows access the bottom panels. The top panel is like a rear hatch on an suv. The Wall, cheapest solution if you already have a storage closet in the right area. Acrylic All access comes from behind the door. Here is my take on the glass vs acrylic thing in the office. Acrylic is completely doable but know that especially if your customers are primarily children (all these offices are) there will be a new booger on the view able panes every time you look around. The tank will be sprayed and wiped down at least once a day. If you use the proper cloth and a novus polishing spray it will keep the outside pretty much scratch free at all times unless something sharp is available for the destruct-o kid. So any worry about additional scratching from acrylic will be nullified if you just clean the tank with novus. I've seen kids bang on glass tanks all day at the children's museum. I think you are fine. By the time they could actually do damage they know better. The most important thing is making sure it is impossible for the kids to get into the sump and filtration. The latches and mechs on all of those tanks are way too hard for a young child to pull open. Also... pm sent. Don't want to post this tidbit out loud. Also, consider educating your office members about the basics. A customers staff member once poured orange soap in a skimmer and nuked one of those 3 tanks because the skimmer was stinky. I'd go starphire peninsula any day of the week. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k. Last edited by tkeracer619; 01/31/2015 at 11:08 AM.

01/31/2015, 11:37 AM	#5
Spiker101 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 91	-Dkeller I think I am going to take your advice and get an internal overflow and a longer tank just to compensate for volume lost. -Reef Frog If I go with glass I will defiantly, be doing custom/thicker glass -tkeracer619 Wow. The Starphire Peninsula ispretty much exactly what I wanted. Is it closed system? (I dont see any powerheads). How much was that setup? The divider tank in acrylic is also very nice. Up close do you see alot of microscrach/hazing? I heard if you clean stuff off the acrylic, it leaves microscratches. it then get dirty faster and you have to clean more often...like a feedback loop. Also what kind of life stock can scratch the panels? Last edited by Spiker101; 01/31/2015 at 11:43 AM.

01/31/2015, 09:18 AM	#1
Spiker101 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 91	Office Aquarium Setup? Hey guys I am considering in getting back into the hobby. I had experience with nano-cube and was fairly successful at it. However I had to take a break from it for various reasons. I am considering an office aquarium in next year so I am just in the planning stage. It will be in the waiting room of a pediatric/orthodontic dental office. It is pretty high traffic, there is going to be over 100 pairs of kids/parents going through per day. I am having the hardest difficulty deciding which material to use. Some relevant information: -200 Gallon -3 way viewing (2 sides from 1 room, 1 side from another room. 1 short side for overflow). -All Plumbings hidden. so external overflow box. And bottom panel will be drilled for return. -Not limited on bracing options because it will be framed to the wall. Starphire Glass: Pro #1 easier to clean Con #1 chance for catastrophic failure-my biggest fear is some kid just hit the aquarium. If it breaks on someone that would be huge liability for me. If I had this in my house it would defiantly be glass. #2 silicon wears out in 10 years. #3 Most likely need to custom build because I want external overflow. Also want to increase glass thickness to reduce the chance on #1 Acrylic Pro #1 A lot more break resistant. #2 Can use standard size/premade Con #1 Scratches #2 degrade by UV over time (not sure how much that is a factor) Anyone else have an office aquarium in similar setting that may offer some insight? Especially regarding chance of breakage vs scratch by kids?

01/31/2015, 10:10 AM	#2
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	It might be better to post this in the "reef discussion" section (or request a moderator to move it to that section), since you're more likely to get folks that are physicians/dentists that have similar set-ups and could share their experiences. One note - don't drill the bottom panel for a return unless you're installing it through an internal overflow. If you do this, the only way to prevent a disastrous flood if there's a power failure or return pump failure is with check valves, and check valves are extremely risky in a saltwater set-up because of encrusting growth. Especially in a place of business, this is an unacceptable risk just for aesthetic reasons. Regarding tank breakage, it typically takes an intentional act to shatter a glass aquarium panel. No question, someone can do it by swinging a bat or a 2x4 into the tank's side, but if the tank's 3' high or higher at the bottom, I'd think the risk of a small child that doesn't know any better doing something like this is pretty low.

01/31/2015, 10:34 AM	#3
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	If you decide to go with glass but still have worries and want to take every conceivable precaution regardless of cost, maybe look into a custom built tank with curved edges and/or the greatest possible glass thickness. I would bet some of the high end tank builders know how to produce a "built like a tank" product for public spaces like bars where real mayhem could erupt. It might be worthwhile to get some quotes and ideas from a pro and see what you're looking at. But all of this is probably unnecessary. However some kids are prone to banging on the front pane so a jump proof set up may be wise.

01/31/2015, 11:41 AM	#6
bc9820 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 38	hello

01/31/2015, 01:44 PM	#8
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	One other thought. If this is a "almost cost no object" sort of display because it's a business expense, you might consider giving ReefSavvy a call. There's no doubt their tanks are pricey, but they're also way overbuilt, with the specific thought of "failure is not an option". At the very least, they could give you some ideas on minimalistic overflows, thick glass, and the like.