Salt/Fresh Idea

[Nyghtfire]

Ok well, i've been contemplating setting up a new tank, and the area i have is just under 6ft width, but over a 2ft depth footprint.
so i decided, i'd make it a 5x2x2, but then i can't decide if i want it fresh or salt.
so i figured, i'd do a 5x2x2 salt, and have a freshwater (possibly planted) above it.
basically, so it goes, sump (for salt), salt display, and finally freshwater on the top.
i know i'd need to make a heavy duty stand, but what do you guys reckon of any problems that i might come across?
and whether the comparison between a freshwater and marine aquarium would look any good?
(and possibley make the fresh only a 4x2x2 so in that spare foot of space, i can easily keep a large cannister filter)

 

[TheRealAndyCook]

you should really pick one, or the other, IMO

...you wont want to buy a bunch of equipment that isn't compatible, same with fish, and such.

You could do it, if you wanted just make sure the stand is strong...and the floor is built sound

 

[Nyghtfire]

you should really pick one, or the other, IMO

...you wont want to buy a bunch of equipment that isn't compatible, same with fish, and such.

You could do it, if you wanted just make sure the stand is strong...and the floor is built sound

Maybe,i dunno, my dream set up is, 2 tanks both atleast 8x3x3
one on either side of a room.
one a giant reef, one a giant freshwater set up.
i've got a similar thing going in my room, one a small reef, one a small fresh.
and i love the look of them together, to me it shows how things can have so many similarities, yet at the same time can be completely different.
and it's always the same arguement for me when i go to set up a new tank, what to make it, fresh , fresh planted, fowlr, reef?
just considering combining them.
not in the same tank of course, but with the reef having a sump, (makes it so much easier with salt imo) and the fresh having the cannister filter rated for atleast 2x the tank size, so looking at the same cabinet in a way, showing the complete difference between reef and planted...
i dunno, i can't see how the tanks being so close together causing problems but i can see making a stable enough stand being a problem.
floor itself is extremely solid, basically concrete slab of the house then tiles.
only single story house so not worried about it going through the floor.

edit: and what do you mean incompatible equipment, none of the equipment will be running on both tanks, just having one tank on top of the other.

 

[Clay]

If you're going to stack tanks, the best way to do so (structurally) is the smaller one on the bottom. It allows you to build the stand and support the corners and edges of the tanks.

 

[Nyghtfire]

If you're going to stack tanks, the best way to do so (structurally) is the smaller one on the bottom. It allows you to build the stand and support the corners and edges of the tanks.

hmm never thought of it like that, but then i might have trouble with sumping the larger tank...
aah won't start this project until a bare minimum of a fortnight has passed anyways, but still... alot to think about.
also, cheers sorta info i was looking for

 

[Zoodiver]

Down side of top/bottom tanks is space to work on the lower tank. I've made several quar rooms with 'racks' of tanks just to make the most of the space. It became a pain to work on anything tucked under another tank.

 

[Nyghtfire]

Down side of top/bottom tanks is space to work on the lower tank. I've made several quar rooms with 'racks' of tanks just to make the most of the space. It became a pain to work on anything tucked under another tank.

mmm that could be a problem tho.
might have to drop it back to one tank anyways, combining them might be a bit to much to look at seeing as it would be in a main part of the house.... hmmm.