Ideas for fish room

[Elite Aquatics of KY]

Hello Everyone,
Im going to be putting together a new fish room soon. Approximate room dimensions will be 24x16 with a 8ft ceiling. I plan on insulting very well and heating the room to maintain tank temp. Ive got about 100 tanks ranging from 10 to 375 gallons with the majority of them being 27 longs that i got from a store that went out of business. My original thought was to plumb them with drains and do an auto water change system with sponge/box filters off of central air. Currently I'm now leaning towards doing that but having a central sump with ball valves at the back of each tank to quarantine if needed until i can get a well put in and save on water. Looking build a rack of 150s or 180s along one of the walls for breeding large new world cichlids. Any other tips or ideas?
Thanks!

 

[fishdance]

The internet has thousands of fish rooms being shown off. It's more a matter of you knowing what you require from your room.

I generally recommend putting in floor drains, at least 2 different electrical circuits, putting your air on a central loop with 2 air pumps on the loop and on backup power. If you are at the bottom of a gully, an external sump below floor level to collect waste water.

More specifically (which may not suit you) I would have a wider aisle directly ahead when you enter the room with dead end aisles of tank racks perpendicular to the entry aisle. Rack most tanks end on to save space. Polystyrene strips under tanks rather than full sheets so a ceiling light can illuminate right through to the bottom tier and thicker strips at back than front so tanks lean forward marginally. Any drain blockages will be easy to spot as water flows down the front first.

If you are using steel racks, put the feet onto plastic blocks so they stay dry when your floor gets wet. A carbon filter to remove chlorine /chloramine and 24/7 drip.

As you are room heating, put any water storage tanks up high for gravity feed.

If space allows, put in a water tap at each end. A fridge carcass for food and chemical store and work space for nets, microscope, reference books etc.

 

[tlindsey]

YouTube Ted Judy fish room look for his first one at his home. Ted Judy explains everything and the reasons why.

 

[Elite Aquatics of KY]

Thanks guy! I have a pretty good idea and have watched a bunch of rooms but it never hurts for more information. If my room is insulated well what would be the best way to heat it with? Also do you put tanks on lower floor heights and stack 3 tall or should I keep them higher off the ground and just go 2 high for better temperature control

 

[fishguy1978]

How are you heating your fish room? I am now considering heating my basement fish room as I am running out of plug capacity. I have 12 running now and have 5 more 29g that will be grow out tanks for various fry. I have the ability to close off the room from the rest of the basement.

 

[Dcrawdad]

How are you heating your fish room? I am now considering heating my basement fish room as I am running out of plug capacity. I have 12 running now and have 5 more 29g that will be grow out tanks for various fry. I have the ability to close off the room from the rest of the basement.

Depending on your location and rental status, you could look into a mini-split AC system with a heat pump. Best of both worlds. Little pricey, but worth it in the long run. I will be installing one myself in my future fish room in the garage, but I'm a licensed HVAC technician so I save a good amount on installation.