Building a "fishroom"

[fishandfire]

Not really a room, just a corner of the basement. I am building a stand that is 3 feet tall, almost 4 feet wide, and 12 feet long. It will have tanks facing both directions on it and you will be able to walk around 3 sides. It will hold the following tanks:

100g, 40g breeder, and a 30g breeder on one side. The other side will have 29g, 2-25 talls, 20 tall, 4-10s.

Here are some pics of the progress.

Room after the "crap" was moved out of the corner
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0287.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0288.jpg


After painting, lights and electrical
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0504.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0507.jpg

Lumber for the stand
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0509.jpg

The top framework. Notice one piece is missing. I knew exactly how many linear feet of 2x6's I would need. Everything was going great until I cut the last piece 1" short. Had to buy another 6' piece.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0511.jpg

My helper on this project
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0514.jpg

Legs are on. They are 4x4's that are notched out so that the top framework will sit on the 4x4's. The lag bolts only hold the framework to the legs. They will not support the weight. The legs will be doing that.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0516.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0517.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0519.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0520.jpg

I still need to build a framework close to the bottom similar to the top framework, put "x" braces across the legs, and put the top on it. It may be overkill, but it needs to be able to support close to 4000 lbs. I will also be using foam board between the tanks and the plywood top to allow for a little movement of the tanks without putting too much stress on them.

I will be using a luft 65 to supply air to all the tanks. The tanks will be glass top only. The lighting will come from the overhead lights.

[ikevi]

Looking very heavy duty. Will be interesting to see how exactly you are planning to set everything up. (IE I am used to people doing at least two level setups, with a much smaller width.)

[fishandfire]

The rafters are only 82" off the floor. I wanted to use the lights, so it didn't really leave enough space for a double high shelf and still leave room for me comfortably to get in the tanks to clean and catch fish. Would have been real cramped.

[Mrfiremouth]

Nice job. It is amazing how a coat of bright paint changes a room!
Once you get some bracing at the bottom of the legs that stand will sure up tight!
Can't wait to see more......

[neesejohn]

Pretty cool indeed.

John

[Matt724]

looking pretty cool so far. The only thing I would suggest (I can only tell so much from pictures) but it seems that if pressure leaned on one edge, it would snap the corner leg, and the whole thing might come down. I think what you need is some long pieces of lumber nailed around, maybe a foot off the base of the legs just to give stability, but I'm not expert so you'll probably want better advice than my own.

[fishandfire]

looking pretty cool so far. The only thing I would suggest (I can only tell so much from pictures) but it seems that if pressure leaned on one edge, it would snap the corner leg, and the whole thing might come down. I think what you need is some long pieces of lumber nailed around, maybe a foot off the base of the legs just to give stability, but I'm not expert so you'll probably want better advice than my own.

That's my next step. I am building a framework similar to the top about a foot off the ground.

[leisure_man]

Any thought on how to mitigate the increased in humidity once the tanks are setup?

[neesejohn]

From what I've read, everyone seems to still use dehumidifiers. Which means constantly topping off your tanks, but beats structure damage due to moisture.

John

[dreday]

the more ari circulation the more evaporation. or you get a bunch of wet air....

do dehumidifiers increase ones bills very much?
and how efficient are they? i mean if you buy one thats rated for the space you have the tanks in.

[leisure_man]

Anyone using a HRV for their fishroom?

[Patrick Kelly]

Nice area.
any new pictures of the progress?

Any thoughts about walling it in for heat in the future?

[fishandfire]

Not much more progress. Unfortunately I have been working 12 hours a day, every day, for the last 3 weeks. No plans to wall it in as I am only renting right now. The overtime will be done next week so I will be able to get back to it.

[Matt Quinn]

You can wall it in temporarily with 4'x8' sheets of styro...or just plastic sheets. Makes a big difference on the heat bill..

Matt

[fishandfire]

Bottom framework and supports are done. Now just need to get some plywood to finish the top and talk my wife into painting it. Here's some updated pics.

My wife found it very humorous to watch a fat guy climb in and out from under the stand to secure everything from the inside.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0577.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0578.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0579.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0576.jpg

Three sets of "X" braces. One on each end and one in the center.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0584.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0585.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0583.jpg

[Matt724]

lookin' good. thing looks sturdy as hell. nice work

[fishandfire]

The stand is complete. I have two used tanks that need old paint scraped off. The 100 gallon is up on the stand being scraped now. I have a 30 breeder yet to do. I have been working on the 100 for 2 hours and am now about 25% done. I am using a window scraper that holds razor blades to do it. I am 100% convinced that the paint that was used on this tank needs to be sold to every homeowner in Florida. It will completely fortify a house in the unfortunate event of a hurricane.

It's a good thing that I am about 9 beers and a bottle of wine (2nd one started) into it. Otherwise, I would be going Kimbo Slice on someone right now.

P.S. Thank you very much to my wife for proof reading this before I hit submit.

[fishandfire]

Stand is complete. It is a combination of black paint and cedar colored stain. Painted the back of 7 tanks today--100g, 40 br, 30 br, 2-25's, 29, and a 10. Still need to paint 3 more 10's and a 20 tall but need to evict the current residents first.

My wife during part of her 7 hour painting/staining marathon.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0172.jpg

The air system running between the tanks. Each line will have a check valve.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0177.jpg

100 gallon, 40 br, 30 br
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0178.jpg

Where the last 4 tanks will go
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/IMG_0180.jpg

[dreday]

wow really nice. way to fit all your tanks on it. now you have room for more upstairs!! :P

[teknikAL]

Not much more progress. Unfortunately I have been working 12 hours a day, every day, for the last 3 weeks. No plans to wall it in as I am only renting right now. The overtime will be done next week so I will be able to get back to it.Guess it's feast or famine. I haven't been able to find more than a few hours of work a week for the past four years, with a few exceptions. At least the the sporatic work has made my unemployment last longer. I guess that's the state of upstate NY.

Nice project. Without any HOB filters you won't need to access the backs of the tanks. Yet all that bubbleing water will really kick up the humidity.

The glass covers will help, especially if they fit very well. Ventilation in the warm months will help and a dehumidifier will help keep the temp up in the winter. Moisture damage to the house can't be overstated. If you do get a mold and mildew problem in the wood, it could be an expensive fix.

[leisure_man]

I would recommend the air supply line be hanging over the tanks. This way you can eliminate the use of check valves as well as able to reach each individual valves to adjust the flow. Right now, with it lying on the table, it would be difficult to reach over and down the back of the tanks to adjust the air flow.

[Matt724]

Woah, amazing job. Can't wait to see it fully running and operational. BTW, the painting/staining looks really great; you should really thank your wife ;). And I love your X-brace support design, looks really cool; almost like it's there for an aesthetic purpose rather than for support. How many tanks will be on it? Or total gallonage?

[fishandfire]

The lights above make it real difficult to run the air above unless I run the tubing down in front of the lights which I would not like the look of. I may build a frame to set the pvc on that will be just taller than the tallest tank. I can reach all the valves if I stand on a stool. Not the most convenient, but does work.

The stand will be holding the following: 100g, 40br, 30br, 29g, 2@25g, 20 tall, 4@10g for a total of 309 gallons.

[leisure_man]

The cost of all those check valves will definitely justify building a PVC frame. Not to mention check valves are known to fail.

[fishandfire]

All the tanks are finally set up. Here are the pics of the room as it is now. I need to change the shop lights so that they are running the opposite direction and add two more sets of lights.

As you walk into the room:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0223.jpg

Left side:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0210.jpg

Right side:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0211.jpg

25 gallon with Labeotropheus Trewavasae (Zimbawe Rock) growout:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0215.jpg

25 gallon Xiphophorus Alverezi (wild type swordtail):
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0213.jpg

29 gallon river tank with Sewellia Lineoleta (Reticulated Hillstream Loach). This tank has a powerhead on one end and a sponge on the other connected to each other by 3/4" pvc under the substrate. This helps create a unidirectional flow in the tank. The powerhead turns the water about 15 times per hour. There is also a bubble wand under the substrate to add additional oxygen to the water. These fish live in fast flowing waters in the wild.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0218.jpg

30 breeder with Astotilapia Latifasciata:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0219.jpg

40 breeder with Labidochromis Caeruleus and Cynotilapia Afra (Lumbila)
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0220.jpg

100 gallon with several different species from Lake Malawai:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/fishandfire/Fishroom/IMG_0221.jpg

The 20 gallon tall has Angels. The four tens are growout tanks containing L114 plecos, Ptychochromis sp. Red Fin, Geophagus Proximus, and Tramitichromis Intermedius.

There are still several external filters hooked up which is just helping prevent a cycle. These will be coming down soon. Also need to finish getting glass for the tops.

[mlancaster]

Hi fishandfire,

The room looks great. I like the river tank.

What are the dimensions on your 100g?

Thanks,
Matt

[fishandfire]

The 100g is 60x18x20

[teknikAL]

I like the hillstream set up. I saw that power head idea at Planet Catfish. Good to see it in action! I just croaked my hill stream loaches; had a 90 plus degree day, a thunderstorm then a power outage... didn't make it.