Brad's Fishroom build

[snaggle]

Ok so late last summer I started my fishroom build, this is sort of my first fishroom, at least official.

Right now I have most of my silver board up, one rack of 6 45 breeders and 2 stacking Dutch Aquarium System tanks.

Here are some old pics from the summer, I will post some more later. I have them spread in between 2 computers and a cell phone.

The total room will have 2 more DAS Aquariums, and up to 6 65 gallon breeds or 4 65s and 2 75s.

I do live in military housing so there where 0 modifications made to the existing structure or finish on the house.

I used 1/2" silver board from Lowe's as a vapor barrier/ insulation.

I will be running a dehumidifier and space heater at all times in the fish room, the space heater is an oil filled unit with a programmable thermostat (not just on off).

I will be using LED lights for most tanks from http://www.superbrightleds.com.

I hope you enjoy I hope to post more tomorrow, then I am off to course for 3 weeks.

[pyrrolin]

you built your racks the same way I built mine. It's a good design concept I found online, probably the same as you. I find the one smaller one I have built so far to be great.

[snaggle]

I used the fishroom design videos from Ted's fishroom, one thing you cant see in the pics is the cross bracing I used. I put 1x2 on both sides and on across th back. They made the stand solid, it didn't move and mm ven after I filled the tanks.

[pyrrolin]

yup, same place I saw the concept.

The stand I made already is very short and no cross pieces were needed. The next one I am going to make will be about 4 feet long and I will most likely have the two stands in an L shape and attach them together for more stability. Being only about 4 feet, I shouldn't need any extra bracing like your much longer one.

Was there a definite need for the extra brace or were you just being extra safe? I have extra support because I put on 7/16 boards for shelves instead of just putting the tanks on the 2x4's. I also did the shelves because my tools aren't the best for accuracy and the board helps to make the surface more even in my case. Having a 4 year old helping doesnt help with accuracy either.

[snaggle]

I would not say that I needed the bracing 100% but I have small kids in the house and there was some sway in the stand (less then 1/2") but better safe then sorry.

[snaggle]

Ok here are some more pictures, uploaded to photo bucket this time.

They are in a random order.

first few are leak testing the 45 gallons, I got them from a old pet store in Edmonton Alberta they haven't seen water in at least 5 years. I cleaned and resealed them all.





The building inspector checking my work



My set up on the driveway, having to cut wood so close to the neighbors new car



The temp and humidity in the basement some time in July.



The Start,





All Cleaned up,

[nightowl1350]

Love the little fishy you have in the tank. Hope he doesn't go for a swim once it is set up. Great looking fish room.

[snaggle]

Ok so now here we are over the last week,














The top tank has one divider removed from the right hand side to double up the space, all said and told these two tanks add up to about 120 gallons.

I have a second set that will be on the back wall (opposite side). The 6 45 gallon tanks are beside the shelf unit, there will be 4 65 gallon tanks across the room from the 45s. I have been stuck on what will go in the middle if anything. I will still have 5 65 gallons and 6 75 gallons that are not set up.

I also have a 150 that will be out side the fish room it will be the first thing you see when you round the corner at the bottom of the stairs.

My two biggest challenges right now are time and money. I hope to have the fish room in production in time for the fall auction series even though it will be a lot of late nights and long drives to get my fish to the auctions.

[Ryan.Wilton]

That's basically what I want to do lol. You can buy them pre-built though and just install it, but wheres the fun in that?

[pyrrolin]

Much cheaper to build your own stands