New Project Need Help... Newbie

[ronclone]

Hi guys, i have always wanted an aquarium but never really took the project seriously until i saw a rerun of Nip/Tuck on tv and fell in love with the in wall fish tank they have in wall... i'm posting a picture so you guys can give me some tips.

I do want something like it, i think its freshwater with artificial reefs and lots of bubbles... i also believe its somewhat of slim profile (would love your opinion on this) and with a black background...

Anyway, i have read lots of info, but i'm still not sure whats the best option for me. I was thinking in a 48x21x8inches with 10mm thick glass, that would give me a 35 gallon tank. I'm planning stocking some fish and some small artificial reef and plants, so this may make my life easier...

I will be placing it in a metal base i plan to custom made, so i might have some space below the tank, i would really like to hide most of the piping and hardware... i have no problem with drilling the tank since i will be getting the glass cut and drilled at my hardware store, but i need to plan ahead to know how many holes i need and the position they need to be. this is were i have more doubts.

But maybe i prefer to keep it simple, maybe a sump would be a little to much trouble, maybe i can make the tank a little wider (instead of 48", like 52") and put a glass wall to the left of the fish tank to make a little compartment where to hide all the hardware (is this possible?). I know it will have to make some designs choices to disguise it.

I was planning to lighting it with a couple of white ultra bright led strips.

This will be a DIY project, i´m in a budget, that's why i would like your help guys... this does look like an amazing community... thanks in advance for all of your help...

 

[Aquascaper]

8" is to thin IMO, I would suggest a minimum of 12"

 

[DrRob]

Agreed. The sort of tank you see on TV sets is often a temporary set up that is only designed to look good for a short period of time. Maintaining them is near impossible. The size and type of fish you're looking at there do best in a tank that's at least 48 inches long, which, you have, but are territorial fighters, so would need some room to get around each other. As aquascaper says, I'd look at a minimum of 12 inches.

Is there a partition wall in the area in question that you can sink the tank into?

 

[Aquascaper]

Reminds me of those horrendous 'picture frame' tanks from years ago.....not even enough room for a neon to turn around in.

See how far the tank can be recessed into the wall and if it's not enough the only solution would be to build a fake wall in front of the existing one (which could incorporate storage so not that bad an idea)

 

[ronclone]

Hi, i will consider going for 12", but i'm not thinking about an in-wall setup.

In fact i was thinking about it all day, and got a new idea, a closed loop system, i'm sure there's something wrong with it, but here's a diagram:

Of Course, i will get a professional to cut the glass and holes and will use 10mm thick glass. Since the pressure of the water out and in are the same, i believe the pump does not need to be more powerful than normal, i think a 150GPH could suffice... also, i'm planning to put valves just outside of the two pvc tubes so i can service the filter and service/replace the pump.

The air pumps will be at the back of the aquarium, but i'm not sure if the water is too deep for them to work fine (this is not a priority, i can figure this after i finish the tank and base).

The base will be a metal custom made one. Since everybody uses wood, maybe i can rest the actual fisk tank in a 5mm wood sheet (is this necessary?).

What i would most like to know is if this setup will work out well. Thanks for your help, cant wait to start this thing...

 

[Aquascaper]

A wooden base under the tank will allow for a small amount of flex and compression to even out the bottom so that all of it is supported. A metal base wouldn't and you risk small areas of the base not being fully supported if it is slightly warped which will cause a pressure point on the glass which could be disastrous.

 

[ronclone]

Yeah, that's what i thought...

Anyway, i will be getting the glass cut early next week, i think i will go the direction of the diagram i posted before. If someone thinks of a problem that may arise with it, PLEASE let me know... i settled for 10" width, just dont have the space...

I was thinking about using 1" piping all through... will this be ok?

 

[thereverendturtle]

A closed loop won't give you any filtration. The plumbing will work, but use a canister filter instead.

 

[Aquascaper]

I still think you're making a mistake going for less than 12" width and can't really understand the comment of not enough room. It's only 2" afterall on something you're going to spend a lot of time and money on and would hope want to get right. It's not just the fish problems with the thinner tank but equipment, etc. as the vast majority of tanks are a 12" minimum once over 2 feet long and this is considered when designing products such as external filters that will sit under the tank in a cabinet.

thereverndturtle suggested external canister filters which I agree with but wonder if you'll find ones big enough that will fit under your stand due to the thickness.

I can't really comment on anything else to do with the design as I don't really understand your drawing as its not labelled other than to say 1" is fine for plumbing depending on application.

 

[ronclone]

Ok, i came here for advice and need to take it, i decided to go for 12" width...

And you are right, here's a simple version of the setup labeled:

The inline and outline labels are for the tank. i mean water goes out of the tank, then through the filter, then to the pump, then back to the tank.

I will have a DIY canister filter inline of the closed loop system, it will be made of 2 feet tall 4" pvc, good enough for a 60gallon. i may have to put the filter horizontally, so the pump doesn't have to be too below the tank for better pressure.

Is the 1" piping is enough...

 

[Aquascaper]

Can I ask why the DIY canister? Only because it would be a lot simpler to just get an external canister filter which will have all the pipework and pump included so a lot less hassle.

 

[ronclone]

Thinking about it you are probably right... but can a canister filter be connected through the bottom of the tank? all the canisters i see have flexible hoses that go over the top of the tank, and i would like a cleaner look.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Yes a canister can be connected to bulkheads mounted to the tank. The other plumbing doesn't have to be used.