Fishroom input

[ahud]

What my experience has taught me:
- Put in floor drains if you don't want water drainage pipes crossing walkway aisles. If your unsure where your racks will go, add in extra as they can be capped or cemented over.
- Use a dedicated electrical circuit for airpumps only. Nothing else uses this circuit so it can't get tripped. It's also easier to backup powee for one circuit. I use Medo linear piston pumps. Two pumps per central air circuit for redundancy as its cheaper and neater than having 2 sponges per tank. I try to have the same model airpump everywhere so it's easy to swap out and keep spare parts as well as a spare pump.
- use high ceilings if possible. You can rack 5 tiers high if expansion occurs. Additional storage is always good. The main cost is floor area. Room heating is similar.
- I use one overflow drain per tank and waterchange by displacement. Much simpler, cheaper and reliable than a drain & fill system.
- put your steel stand legs on 15mm HDPE blocks to keep them high and dry. Water sits under the steel for weeks otherwise.
- put in an oversized water line if you need to fill big tanks. Could put a tap at each end if you don't like long hoses everywhere.
- place your main aisle in front of the door with branching aisles to tanks perpendicular off this. You will need to wheel in tanks, tubs, fish boxes etc so plan door size and access accordingly. The dead ends are perfect for nets, food, equipment shelves.

Just my suggestions.

Appreciate it. Good points.

I need to add floor drains. They are not in the current plan because the contractor does not like them (says they clog eventually). But PVC drains crossing aisles would not be ideal.

I'm stuck on ceiling height. I think I am at 8.5' because of the way the walls sit on the brick foundation. So its a little taller than normal.

 

[Ogertron3000]

I've never had a fishroom but would like to one day.
The few people I know who have went too hard too early and started with heaps of tanks and heaps of species and ended up hating it. Like the others said its meant to be enjoyable so I would say start with a few tanks and get the hang of it and grow from there. If you start with 4 or 5 tanks with fish you rally like then build up from there as anew species takes your interest it should be manageable. Just because you have a room filled with tanks it doesn't mean you have to fill them all up on the first day as tempting as it would be!

 

[ahud]

Tank Breakdown in the current plan is as follows:

(6) 125g (Four are viewable from a chair)
(2) 75g
(12) 40 breeders
(10) Standard 20s placed short end out
(6) 10 gallons placed short end out

Total of 36 tanks and 1,640 gallons.

Still have room for seating, a sink, and water storage. I could fit more tanks, but this is what I think phase one will look like.

 

[vincentwugwg]

Perhaps consider a drip system to make your life easier. 250-300 gallons a day would be ideal. And if you keep the room at 78-80 tank heaters would not be needed. Make plenty of switches for lights etc. And maybe add one bigger tank...400 gallons +? You will thank me later for this tip

 

[ahud]

Yes, all tanks will be on a drip system/overflow system.

Maybe a big tank down the road. For now, the budget is shot!

 

[Pterophyllum sp]

#1 Insulate, insulate, insulate.
#2 plan for more water storage space than you need. Its always nice to have multiple storage areas for fish who will not procreate in tap water.
#3 Insulate.... the heat produced by pumps and dehumidifiers will keep your room warm if you do it right (read electricity savings $$$)

 

[ahud]

#1 Insulate, insulate, insulate.
#2 plan for more water storage space than you need. Its always nice to have multiple storage areas for fish who will not procreate in tap water.
#3 Insulate.... the heat produced by pumps and dehumidifiers will keep your room warm if you do it right (read electricity savings $$$)

The ceiling will have R30. The walls are going to be unfinished so I will have to come back behind the contractor and do those. I'm going to price out the sprayfoam, but I bet its going to be too much. Any recommendations?

Cold should not be a huge deal, our winters are mild. But I will have to cool the room for sure.

 

[deeda]

How will you be finishing the inside walls of the room?

One option is to use 1-1/2" or 2" foam board such as Owens Corning Foamular XPS rather than batts in the wall. You could use it on the the outside walls of the room to save interior space but do need to still cover it with drywall to maintain a fire rating. It installs much faster than batting and doesn't absorb moisture.

You can then use 1/2" drywall on the inside wall of the room for a finished appearance and paint with a quality latex paint of your color choice.

 

[ahud]

How will you be finishing the inside walls of the room?

One option is to use 1-1/2" or 2" foam board such as Owens Corning Foamular XPS rather than batts in the wall. You could use it on the the outside walls of the room to save interior space but do need to still cover it with drywall to maintain a fire rating. It installs much faster than batting and doesn't absorb moisture.

You can then use 1/2" drywall on the inside wall of the room for a finished appearance and paint with a quality latex paint of your color choice.

Yes, drywall on the inside. I will look into the foam board. I'm not familiar with it. A fast install is great. Beyond the walls and electrical, I will be doing everything myself.

My biggest worry is heat. The fishrooms I have been in around here are really hot during the summer. I know the fish are fine, but I don't want to be covered in sweat every time I walk into the room.

 

[ahud]

Any ideas on flooring? Would you leave cement or try to do some type of water proof flooring?