New House and Tank Build (1 Viewer)

[AquaNerd]

Hey MARSHreef community, I wanted to share my newest adventure with you.

I started the build on my blog AquaNerd but wanted to post it here for everyone to see.

A couple of months ago my wife and I started house shopping. We have each lived in various apartments since going off to college and a couple more even after we got married. Tired of moving around and apartment life, we decided it was time to buy a house. Our rent is already pretty high, so we figured it was time.











We looked around quite a bit, but ended up picking a neighborhood just down the street from where we currently are living. The inventory homes didn't match our tastes too well, so we decided to build. Since this will be our first home, we didn't want to overdo it. We went with a 3 bed/2 bath which is more than enough for the two of us. And instead of going with a move expensive home, we customized this one with a lot of nice upgrades that we wouldn't have been able to do if we had gone larger.







In the process of building this new house, I'm going to attempt to upgrade from my current setup (a 180 gallon SPS reef tank) to a slightly larger 225 gallon aquarium. The reason for the upgrade is a combination of accessibility and style. Right now, I have a fairly difficult time getting into the aquarium because it is 24" tall, has a large eurobrace, and the canopy is very restrictive despite it being so large. So, the new tank will be 72"L x 36"W x 20"H and will be rimless. I plan to suspend a light over the tank, that way I can raise it or lower it to my liking. The canopy is killing me. As for style, this can be a simple fix, but I'm dying to start over. The stand and canopy don't match the style of the new house. The cabinetry is the wrong color and the style is more old fashioned, whereas the house has a more modern feel to it.



But here's the caveat...I cannot do all this unless I sell my the aquarium I am using now. So, the upgrade is depending on that. If I don't sell my 180, I'll just have to set it back up at the new place and start saving for the upgrade.

I'll be sure to update regularly! So stay tuned.

 

[crvz]

Looks good so far, brandon. When's the move-in ETA?

 

[AquaNerd]

house to be done july 31st

 

[cliner]

Congrats on the house, probably one of the best adult decisions you two can make.

 

[goby1kanobi]

It is so exciting!
It's just as fun and as challenging as Reefkeeping. You will love it!
Congrats to both of you.

 

[GAW]

Nice Brandon! Is that a Lake Ridge Builders Home? Looks just like mine except I have the 3 window front.

Also congrats on the new tank build! Who is making the tank for you?

 

[AquaNerd]

the house is gehan homes.

the tank might be a.g.e. if i can get my tank sold. if not, i'm sticking with the aquarium obsessed tank.

 

[flexrac]

Congrats!
FYI, if you like surrond sound in your LR while watching tv, you should run the wires now, will be sorry later if you don't, i did not have that option as we bought a prebuilt home with discounted up-grades.

can run wires under carpet unless you rip them up, deff can't with tiles.
so while there is time, do it yourself while the walls are still open.

 

[AquaNerd]

they've actually already done the sheet rock.

i was going to do the wiring, but it was suggested that i not do so because the house is not technically ours. it officially becomes our house after closing.

 

[GotFrogs]

Congratulations Brandon! You will enjoy having your own place.

 

[flexrac]

they've actually already done the sheet rock.

i was going to do the wiring, but it was suggested that i not do so because the house is not technically ours. it officially becomes our house after closing.

that sucks!

 

[AquaNerd]

some more pics





the plumbing manifold with pex tubing





and the tank's spot in the house

 

[Raymond]

pretty cool

 

[tas5tas]

I thought all houses came prewired now for cable, internet, phone, alarm system, and surround sound?? I know the builder that built our house 3 1/2 years ago does all his houses that way. You may want to get with your builder while you're still in the early stages. I would also talk to them about insulating all the interior walls and doing the reflective barrier in the attic as well. It will cost you about $3k-4k up front, but will pay for itself in less than 2 years. We are having both done when they start tearing our house down from the hurricane damage with Ike. I'm also going to have them add ridge vents to the house along with the whirly birds. Having 12ft ceilings stinks in the summer time with our nice $400/month electric bill.

 

[HongT713]

looking good brandon congrats on the new house, trust me you going to feel like the king of the castle!

 

[AquaNerd]

I thought all houses came prewired now for cable, internet, phone, alarm system, and surround sound?? I know the builder that built our house 3 1/2 years ago does all his houses that way. You may want to get with your builder while you're still in the early stages. I would also talk to them about insulating all the interior walls and doing the reflective barrier in the attic as well. It will cost you about $3k-4k up front, but will pay for itself in less than 2 years. We are having both done when they start tearing our house down from the hurricane damage with Ike. I'm also going to have them add ridge vents to the house along with the whirly birds. Having 12ft ceilings stinks in the summer time with our nice $400/month electric bill.

the house did have the option for prewired everything...

we had the cable prewired, but the rest we opted to leave out. yes, i would love to have surround sound, but i don't even have a surround sound system yet and with all the other things we have to purchase and pay for at or prior to move-in, we left stuff like surround sound off the list.

 

[flipside]

I thought all houses came prewired now for cable, internet, phone, alarm system, and surround sound?? I know the builder that built our house 3 1/2 years ago does all his houses that way. You may want to get with your builder while you're still in the early stages. I would also talk to them about insulating all the interior walls and doing the reflective barrier in the attic as well. It will cost you about $3k-4k up front, but will pay for itself in less than 2 years. We are having both done when they start tearing our house down from the hurricane damage with Ike. I'm also going to have them add ridge vents to the house along with the whirly birds. Having 12ft ceilings stinks in the summer time with our nice $400/month electric bill.

the house did have the option for prewired everything...

we had the cable prewired, but the rest we opted to leave out. yes, i would love to have surround sound, but i don't even have a surround sound system yet and with all the other things we have to purchase and pay for at or prior to move-in, we left stuff like surround sound off the list.

S'all good, man. They come wireless now, any way. You don't need to run wires for them anymore. That's like, so 90's.

Great lookin' digs, bro. Good luck with the sell of the tank!

 

[RR-MAN]

You will forget about the fish/reef tank once you move in the new house because there will be so many other expenses. Trust me I know, I just moved in to my new house in April of 09.

By the way, don't forget to ammend your 2008 tax return so you can collect your $8,000 tax credit (you'll get a check from IRS for $8K). If you need help with how to ammend your tax return/forms let me know.
This will cover the cost of the new tank.

 

[HongT713]

Funny Thing RR-Man, soon as i moved in to my new house first thing i did was the tank upgrade. I told my wife i am not moving in till my tank is up! thats just me though i need a tank in the house or ill get bored

 

[stdreb27]

S'all good, man. They come wireless now, any way. You don't need to run wires for them anymore. That's like, so 90's.

No it is high quality, wireless surround speakers sound horrible.

but congrads on your house! And I agree, file your income taxes and get that 8 k so you can build a super tank!