Hi all. I'm new to the forum and new to Houston, moved from Austin during the start of the pandemic last year. I'm originally from Australia, myself and the spouse both kept freshwater tanks there. I've also kept reptiles, worked at a zoo for a bit, spouse has kept frogs and currently grows pitcher plants, basically we're both pretty good at things in glass boxes. Since moving to the US I made a swap into saltwater and had an 'craigslist' special 100G tank for about 5 years before breaking it down for the move. It was a great tank done super cheap from second hands bits and pieces I got here and there, I loved it, and I learnt a lot of important lessons to apply to my next tank build.
I've had this tank brewing in my mind for the past 6 months or so. General plan is to have some water in the tank by the end of the year. I started the journey with modifying a walk in closet to be the equipment room, which is opposite the wall from where the tank will be placed.
This space was originally a very small storage closet with a partition wall for a much bigger walk-in robe. I was tossing up just using the walk in robe as the equipment room, because the bedroom it serves I currently just use as an office. But one day there might be some poor child in the bedroom and they really don't deserve parents walking in and out to service the fish tank. So we kept part of the space to be a smaller robe (the box that stick outs) and moved the partition wall to use a lot more of the storage closet space to be fish equipment room. I've attached a picture after painting (the left wall is the wall the tank will be against). Currently I also have some 75G tanks which will be water change station, and a 40G in the corner that will be the ATO reservoir. Obviously it still needs flooring at this point. I figure tile but haven't decided yet.
Here is where the tank is planned, with my test tank in place to feel out if I like the dimensions. I want to also cut up the flooring and tile the area under the tank, two reasons 1) so I can replace the wood flooring in the future without stressing about the spot under the tank having the same flooring, I hate the current stuff. 2) to take the chance to ensure the area is as level as possible.
Currently still making some decisions about the display tank, but figure I have some time to make them while I finish up the equipment room. I will then place the order and work on the water change station and sump build while waiting for the tank to arrive. I have some old Rubbermaid tubs from the last tank so might buy and get some rock cycling in the mean time as well.
I've had this tank brewing in my mind for the past 6 months or so. General plan is to have some water in the tank by the end of the year. I started the journey with modifying a walk in closet to be the equipment room, which is opposite the wall from where the tank will be placed.
This space was originally a very small storage closet with a partition wall for a much bigger walk-in robe. I was tossing up just using the walk in robe as the equipment room, because the bedroom it serves I currently just use as an office. But one day there might be some poor child in the bedroom and they really don't deserve parents walking in and out to service the fish tank. So we kept part of the space to be a smaller robe (the box that stick outs) and moved the partition wall to use a lot more of the storage closet space to be fish equipment room. I've attached a picture after painting (the left wall is the wall the tank will be against). Currently I also have some 75G tanks which will be water change station, and a 40G in the corner that will be the ATO reservoir. Obviously it still needs flooring at this point. I figure tile but haven't decided yet.
Here is where the tank is planned, with my test tank in place to feel out if I like the dimensions. I want to also cut up the flooring and tile the area under the tank, two reasons 1) so I can replace the wood flooring in the future without stressing about the spot under the tank having the same flooring, I hate the current stuff. 2) to take the chance to ensure the area is as level as possible.
Currently still making some decisions about the display tank, but figure I have some time to make them while I finish up the equipment room. I will then place the order and work on the water change station and sump build while waiting for the tank to arrive. I have some old Rubbermaid tubs from the last tank so might buy and get some rock cycling in the mean time as well.