Tank Build! Aquatic Room Build (36+ tanks)

Thanks, I'll look into them. For now I've got Current's Freshwater Satellite LED fixture on the way for freshwater. The Panorama Pros are sustaining the plants perfectly at the moment (including new growth). But the thickness of them get in the way sometimes when I'm catching fish (they hang a bit lower than I'd prefer for this system).

With the overflows on the tanks, I plumb multiple tanks into a sump (which I will further customize in the future - perhaps with algae scrubbers). Each row can be shut off from flow, and additionally, each aquarium can be isolated from the system. I've built the tanks so that I can get behind them for ease of maintenance and in case something would go wrong. It's been working quite well. As far as the return pipes, I actually use flexible (but reinforced) vinyl 3/4" tubing for the incoming water and a slightly bigger tubing for the return water to the sump. It starts larger and reduces to 1". I use clamps I can tighten with a screwdriver to secure all the seals. This way it's not a permanent system and it can evolve over time as I add tanks and systems.

 

Well, it's about time for an update. I've been tinkering away and made some headway. Needless to say we've built a few sections:

First up we started Saltwater Section B starting with the foundation.

As you can see, it will sit next to Saltwater Section C. This section will have a slightly different take than the ones next to it. The bottom will get to have a 57 gallon rimless tank.

On the top level will be two identical 35 gallon cubes, same as Section C's tanks. Time for more water!

For now (to save some cost), I've plumbed the 57 gallon into Section C. I had to swap out the pump for a stronger one to accommodate all 5 aquariums (plus the height difference).

Next I started one of the coral systems:

As you can see, this stand was much simpler than the multi-tiered systems. It will house an 80 gallon rimless aquarium for Coral only. In the long run, there will be three of these tanks. One for Softies/Zoas, one for LPS, and one for SPS corals.

Even more water!

Here's a couple pictures from the side:

 

I couldn't attach more photos in the previous post, so here's part 2 for today:

We decided to build another freshwater system. This one will (eventually) be used for Coldwater/Goldfish/(feeders?):

Now for the start of some flooring:

aaaaand since we had some leftover lumber... I said "Eh, why not? Another coral tank.":

Now an overview of the stands:

To darken the room and put more of the focus on the fish, we started painting (with outdoor paint to help resist water) everything black:

We kinda ramped up the saltwater a little quicker than we probably would have due to having the local kindergarten classes out to see everything. At the culmination of their oceanic lesson plans, they were treated to a visit to our place to see the different organisms they were leaning about... and then some.

 

Both lol. We opened up Ocean's Oasis Fish and Pets in Osage, IA. I'm documenting building our aquatic department in case others can learn from the experience or simply be inspired for future projects at their homes.

 

Thanks so much! We'd look forward to having you look at our shop. Yes, one of the reasons why we created Ocean's Oasis Fish and Pets was partly due to... well.. not seeing eye to eye with some corporate stores and the culture that they cultivate. As our personal family grows (our oldest just turned 1 in November), we are growing our (first ) business family - that is the shop will hire people into a family. Not just a business. We have sooooo many ideas and projects to implement down the line. It's just a matter of time, but any great story has a beginning.