Taking the Plunge ....... New Fish Room

[LKSDiscus]

Hi all, well I guess I decided to take the plunge now that I'm semi-retired to build a fishroom. I have been going though several post and trying to get some ideas on plumbing and filtrations to see where I am going with that.

Would appreciate any advise on how to set it up and what's the best sizes for tanks that I will need. My son and I are going to get the supplies to build the room this week and work on that.

Meantime

What's the best sizes for tanks that I will need?

Where is the best and most reasonable place that I can purchase tanks and have them drilled for plumbing?

What would be the best RO unit to get with high output?

What's the best method of filtrations?

Any suggestion on water change plumbing system.


What I'm going to raise is BN pleco's, Bosemonia Rainbow fish, Angels, and of course Discus. My son wants to raise some Rainbow African ciclids.

So any suggestion would be appreciated.

Linda

[TURQ64]

Approach it slowly, it'll go better, and work out best in the long run..tank sizes depend entirely on your plans. Wait for a Petco or similar buck a gallon sale. Buy large ones from Craigslist..larger tanks for display or growouts, smaller tanks for breeder's and small fry...drilled or undrilled is a topic unto itself. When I worked, drilled worked best for me...now retired, undrilled satisfies me better. WC's can go a few ways, but they all rely on pumps, so look at hevy duty water and air..

[Northwoods Discus]

Seems that having a tank drilled is expensive. I purchased a drill bit and did my own. Simple and easy and luckily no cracked tanks.

[ockyra215]

I would look for someone who is getting out of the hobby and buy there fish room! Thats what I did I got a great deal on a lot of stuff! Just need to get it up and running! I would scour craigslist for used tanks and it depends on you available space and your goals as to what tank sizes you want I look forward to sseeing your build take shape! And I agree with Gary and plan it out every step draw it out on paper make it work easily for you and not harder for you, And dont rush into it ready previous fish room builds posted here I suggest reading Hans build his stands are easy to build and cheap to build to boot! JMO

[Second Hand Pat]

Sweet Linda, good luck with this.
Pat

[LKSDiscus]

I would look for someone who is getting out of the hobby and buy there fish room! Thats what I did I got a great deal on a lot of stuff! Just need to get it up and running! I would scour craigslist for used tanks and it depends on you available space and your goals as to what tank sizes you want I look forward to sseeing your build take shape! And I agree with Gary and plan it out every step draw it out on paper make it work easily for you and not harder for you, And dont rush into it ready previous fish room builds posted here I suggest reading Hans build his stands are easy to build and cheap to build to boot! JMO

I agree, I been doing a lot of research and think I will take it slow first and then see where it will lead me.
Thanks
Linda

[LKSDiscus]

Approach it slowly, it'll go better, and work out best in the long run..tank sizes depend entirely on your plans. Wait for a Petco or similar buck a gallon sale. Buy large ones from Craigslist..larger tanks for display or growouts, smaller tanks for breeder's and small fry...drilled or undrilled is a topic unto itself. When I worked, drilled worked best for me...now retired, undrilled satisfies me better. WC's can go a few ways, but they all rely on pumps, so look at hevy duty water and air..

Thanks, I feel that I should take that advise as there is a lot more to learn, so I'm going to start with just what I had started with and fix me a small area in the garage vs. builing the room that we talked about. I'm getting some babies discus soon and a pair so i think I'll work with them and see how well I do with that. I also got a proven pleco pair that I'm thinking of pulling them out and raise their frys.

[LKSDiscus]

Sweet Linda, good luck with this.
Pat

Thanks Pat you have been a great mentor to me and insprired me to go further.

[LKSDiscus]

Well I'm underway, got the water holding tank for water change and getting things set up slowly, but its starting to come together, will have pictures later.

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Pat you have been a great mentor to me and insprired me to go further.

Oh boy Linda, hope this goes well Slow sounds good.

[LKSDiscus]

Well I got my tanks set up and ready to go, now all I need is the plumbing, anyone interested in helping to put together a central system on eight tanks that is located in Wesly Chapel, FL its just north of tampa (New Tampa). I think in this area I'm going to need help, my men in the house are good, but not really wanting to tackle this job. LOL I have an Idea what I want so if anyone is interested PM me.
Thanks
Linda

[ockyra215]

I would if still lived down there! I used to live in Brandon not to far from ya. I think you need to post some pics!

[LKSDiscus]

Ok got's some pictures also follow the link and will give you more to look at:
http://s1240.photobucket.com/albums/...20Fish%20Room/











I still have a bit of work in doing my electrical as well, but that i can do pretty much. The plumbing is kinda hairy (LOL) for me.

[Second Hand Pat]

Hi Linda, I took a look through you pictures and have some questions. Love the RO storage tank BTW. Perhaps you have considered this so guessing you are planning on pumping from the RO tank to another barrow to mix (RO/tap or remineralized RO) and heat the water for WCs. Are you allowing for more than one barrow? For example juvies will require either straight tap or a different RO/tap mix then your adults.

[TNT77]

Where did you get the water storage tank?