Fish room update

[jonman0613]

So, I recently decided that its time for some more tank space. I want to expand my discus collection! Went with heavy duty pallet racking with 3 tiers, rated 2100lbs per shelf. I have limited space, so, this is what i came up with! Even had to cut the racking to make it fit in my little fish room. Ran across petcos 1$ per gallon sale and bought an entire pallet of 29 gallons(8 total). Then the ball started rolling from there. I was originally going to build my own stand, but, decided against it for a few reasons. 1. lumber costs right now are really high. 2. the pallet racking was sooo easy to build and will save me time in the future when i decide to tear it down. I plan on working myself slowly into breeding. Super excited to start this journey!
I will post pictures of the before and after! So big I had to stand outside of the room for a decent picture.

[coralbandit]

Nicely done !
I love when people get the MTS bug ...:D

[AquaticNerd]

Nicely done !
I love when people get the MTS bug ...:D

Echoing what Tom has said. It looks good!

I like the idea of using pallet racks - they're durable and seem like they can really handle the weight. I'm curious - what did you put between the two beams to make a solid foundation? Is it 2x4s cut to length?

[jonman0613]

Thank you! I love my new setup.

[jonman0613]

I used 2x6 boards pushed tight together. I was hoping to fit 4 tanks per rack but I was 1/2" short of achieving that goal lol

[jonman0613]

Now the next step is getting myself a larger water storage tank. The 35 gallon barrel isn't cutting it anymore.

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Jon,
We live for these Fish Room threads, but they aren't as common as they used to be anymore. We live vicariously through those induldging their MTS!!

I like your setup and the space that you have... Very durable racks. (I went much lighter duty in my Fish Nook for appearances... and while they work... I feel like I have to treat them with kid gloves sometimes. Good choice on going heavy duty!) Yeah 12" wide tanks are really about 12 3/16"... it adds up and foils our plans.

There are some really neat fish rooms in the Fish Room Projects section of this thread for checking out what some of the breeders/shippers (Hans, Kenny, Liz, etc..) have done.

Thanks for sharing your project with us!


So nice having that sump pit right there as well...

[seanyuki]

Take a look at Jack Taylor’s (KC_Discus)fish room and his passion to the discus hobby.


http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?33166-The-fishroom-of-Discus_KC

[LizStreithorst]

What do you have as far as grow out tanks?

[jonman0613]

I wasnt sure if I should have posted it in the first place, but, Im glad you enjoy it! The sump pit is nice to have there, when i built this room i wasnt actually planning on using it as a fish room(wishing i would have built bigger). It even has a electrical panel in there. so when I start pumping heaters, I can have a dedicated circuit just for those!

[jonman0613]

I will do that for sure, I enjoy looking through that stuff!

[jonman0613]

Right now, i have the 40 gallon breeder on the top that are growing out eruptions. I also have a 125 in my living space in my basement! Plus 2- 55 gallons, 1 spare 40 breeder(because, I couldnt get it to fit on the new rack ), and 2 spare 29s. but the only one truly established right now is the 40 breeder in the fish room.

[LizStreithorst]

That's a good start. Are you figuring on using all those 29's as breeding tanks?

[jonman0613]

Maybe some day. But I want to start small with maybe 2 breeding pairs and I can use the only 29s for growouts till they get a little bigger.

[Moreetta]

I usper love how it is being illuminated, nice set up!

[jeep]

Now the next step is getting myself a larger water storage tank. The 35 gallon barrel isn't cutting it anymore.

I'm really limited on space as well. I plan on getting some space saving water barrels when I'm ready.

https://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=A-VT0135-23

[jeep]

Take a look at Jack Taylor’s (KC_Discus)fish room and his passion to the discus hobby.


http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?33166-The-fishroom-of-Discus_KC

That brings back memories, lol...

[Willie]

I'm really limited on space as well. I plan on getting some space saving water barrels when I'm ready.

https://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=A-VT0135-23

That's a real nice storage tank (primarily because I can get 23" through my basement door). Will need to do some wiring to get heating and aeration into a 7' tank. I guess the pump will have to be external?

[seanyuki]

I almost bought this 400 gallons Doorway water tank.

https://www.plastic-mart.com/product/82/400-gallon-doorway-water-tank-sp0400-ut





I'm really limited on space as well. I plan on getting some space saving water barrels when I'm ready.

https://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=A-VT0135-23

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Take a look at Jack Taylor’s (KC_Discus)fish room and his passion to the discus hobby.

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?33166-The-fishroom-of-Discus_KC


That brings back memories, lol...

Wow, you aren't kidding. The early days of SimplyDiscus.

I have a 65 gallon tank in my R.O. Water Bodega... with a 24" diameter it really gets in the way... I can't suck in my gut enough to get comfortably around it. I'd like to trade for a narrower 40gallon (which is about the quanity I need for a system water change) or even a slick square one. I have too much fresh water capacity....

129785

[jonman0613]

does it automatically top it off*** sorry I can't type!

[jeep]

That's a real nice storage tank (primarily because I can get 23" through my basement door). Will need to do some wiring to get heating and aeration into a 7' tank. I guess the pump will have to be external?

When we used a similar setup, we used a Jacuzzi pump for both water changes and aging. For water changes, the water was pumped through 2" pvc that reduced several times until it entered the tanks. A shut off valve installed just after the pump could divert the water back through the container for rapid aging.

The main thing I would change would be heating the water. Instead of heating the water, I would install an tankless water heater set to the tank temps. As long as the pump doesn't exceed the flow rating for the heater, it could be very cost effective.

[FischAutoTechGarten]

does it automatically top it off*** sorry I can't type!

I don't know if your question was directed at me.... i'll answer anyway...

I have a float valve installed at about the 58 gallon mark in the storage container that cuts off flow from the RO Unit... it's plumbed in such a way through a device on the R.O. Unit... that the pressure valve in that line also closes the raw water supply ... so the whole R.O. Unit stops.

[jonman0613]

My bad. Somehow my previous post was deleted. I have a float valve that tops off my RO barrel now. Do you just drill into the water storage? Sorry if this a dumb question. I havent actually put my eyes on a tank to get an idea of how I will actually do this.

[AquaticNerd]

Yep, depending on the float valve, it's usually like a 7/16" or 5/8" drill bit that you would use. The float comes with a nut that you use to secure it. I prefer adding either a rubber gasket (flat o-ring) and/or some 100% silicone to seal it off to make sure it doesn't leak.

[jonman0613]

Yep, depending on the float valve, it's usually like a 7/16" or 5/8" drill bit that you would use. The float comes with a nut that you use to secure it. I prefer adding either a rubber gasket (flat o-ring) and/or some 100% silicone to seal it off to make sure it doesn't leak.

ok sweet, i appreciate the info!

[Jenene]

I’m with the living vicariously crowd here so I appreciate the posts, the conversations and the photos.
I thought about getting a bigger storage container. I’m not currently using r/o but I have a system l use for my reef tank.
I’m currently using a 50 gallon rubber maid garbage bin hidden behind a soji screen next to the tank. When I need to do bigger water changes for the 75 gallon I need to mix in straight tap. It’s in a major living area though so I need to be realistic.
A fish room like yours is full of opportunities that not many of us have the time, space or willingness to attempt. It’s a blank book that you can fill any way you wish. I’ll enjoy watching the evolution. :D

[jonman0613]

I’m with the living vicariously crowd here so I appreciate the posts, the conversations and the photos.
I thought about getting a bigger storage container. I’m not currently using r/o but I have a system l use for my reef tank.
I’m currently using a 50 gallon rubber maid garbage bin hidden behind a soji screen next to the tank. When I need to do bigger water changes for the 75 gallon I need to mix in straight tap. It’s in a major living area though so I need to be realistic.
A fish room like yours is full of opportunities that not many of us have the time, space or willingness to attempt. It’s a blank book that you can fill any way you wish. I’ll enjoy watching the evolution. :D

Thank you! Looking at purchasing a breeding pair here soon. With Christmas around the corner, shipping is crazy this time of year!

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Yep, depending on the float valve, it's usually like a 7/16" or 5/8" drill bit that you would use. The float comes with a nut that you use to secure it. I prefer adding either a rubber gasket (flat o-ring) and/or some 100% silicone to seal it off to make sure it doesn't leak.

Ditto. Same on mine.

[Willie]

...I’m currently using a 50 gallon rubber maid garbage bin hidden behind a soji screen next to the tank. When I need to do bigger water changes for the 75 gallon I need to mix in straight tap...

I think I've found the solution (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oriental-Furniture-6-ft-Honey-8-Panel-Room-Divider-SSCWP-8P-HON/300843125?) for big water changes, Jenene. ;)