14 foot tank build - advice

[cyoung2203]

OK, I have had fresh water aquariums of up to 1600L and successfully managed those tanks for years with Cichlids and a range of other critters.

Building a new house near Penrith and am looking to have a custom 14ft x 3ft x 3ft tank installed. Looking at a reef / marine tank this time. Clearly a HUGE step up from the freshwater tanks currently managed but this will be a major feature of the house so I clearly want to get it right. someone on here has already raised concerns about the depth of the tank from a lighting perspective. (Thanks for that feedback!). What depth is recommended? Looking at a reef arrangement with black tip reef shark/s

Who would you people recommend? What equipment would suit a 4500L tank? Lights, skimmer, heater, chiller etc.

I am 12 months away from this project going live but keen to learn as much as possible and ultimately source the best gear for the $$$ (If it is like any other hobby there is plenty of voodoo).

The tank will be indoors. Downstairs so temperature should be consistent.

Do people recommend having the sump and other gear outside the house?

Look forward to your feedback

[zup33r]

I would try and plumb water storage and chiller unit into garage.


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[cyoung2203]

Garage is separate to the house and 20 meters away unfortunately. The room is 7m wide so plenty of area either side for bits and pieces.

[Synodontis]

I think the first thing you need to do is talk to someone who has a large 10ft+ size tank. Also start looking for a tank builder, we couldn't find anyone willing to build bigger then 12x4. Coming from a FW tank to a marine tank that size is going to cause you some head aches. About the only thing consistent between the two is the initial tank cycle, after that it will be a whole new ball game in marine.
Your talking about a 40K+ build & a whole lot bigger depending on where you want to stop, the sky is really the limit. As for equipment, you will be looking for commercial size or custom made. Forums will be very useful for general information but not to many will have experience with a system of that size & what equipment would be worth looking at other then brand names.
If your still happy with a 3ft deep tank & mixed reef...
sump........defiantly needed on a tank this big
lighting....400w metal halide, lots of them
heating.....titanium heat exchanger
Water.......NSW with at least 3000Ltr's on hand at all times
flow.........big!, closed loop?

Really think your best bet to start with is get in contact with people who have experience with a system of this size.
Just my 2cw & hopefully there will be others that can give more detail on other areas.
Good luck with the build if it goes ahead! Will be an awesome build

[Breed]

Rather than jump straight into something that is going to cost a small fortune (and something that you might not end up enjoying), I would start off with a smaller tank and see how you go with the whole process of starting up and running a SW tank. You may find that the time, effort and money you put in not as fulfilling as you hoped. Just a thought.

[cyoung2203]

Thanks for the responses! I know this won't be a cheap "transition" but thought of doing this for years. New house will have 3 standout features...kitchen, staircase and the tank.

I have mates that are into marine / reef but they don't run large tanks as they don't have the space. I have always found bigger volume easier to manage with fw. Hear similar with sw. I can get a 12 x 4 x 3 but the area will accomodate a 14ft wide tank.

Certainly not going into this blindly. Question is what gear to get and from where. The tank build...a few have put their hand up with costs around $5500 for tank and stand. Doesn't include anything else. Looking at led lighting but don't know which brands are best value for money.

Have plenty of time to plan and upskill.

Keep the advice / feedback coming. If anyone wants to pop me a call its 0408688344.

Cheers

Craig

[serenity]

Im currently looking into a 10ft and asking a few of the same questions if your set on the 3 ft deep i highly doubt leds would give enough par at that depth to grow well i think you would be better with halides
About the only 2c i got to throw in but I'd drop the size down 12ft x 3ft x 2ft would be huge

[fishguy23]

Depending on house design, solar tubes with supplemental lighting would be the go.

[DanMang]

Depending on house design, solar tubes with supplemental lighting would be the go.

Solar tubing would be the smartest idea

[zup33r]

Do you have a budget?
Big tanks require big skimmers and big pumps?
If you think you can do it on a budget buying cheap pumps ect.
The investment in your coral and fish becomes too large to risk it all on cheap gear.

How much money do you have to throw into it.