Copy/pasta this from other forums as I'll take answers where I can get them.
Hokay, 3 questions. But the issues at hand arn't specific to aquarium knowledge. I'm putting in a 300 deep dimension reef tank. (6ftx3x27inch high) Going to create a seperate thread on the floor I'd like to reinforce just in case, this post is more for issues in the room it's going in.
#1 First is, the tank, which will run lines into basement for the sump, I intend to put it in a corner office of the house along an outside wall. There is 2 windows with like 5 inch divider between them. Below them is an air vent I'd like to run the overflow and return to the basement. Outside the windows is the covered front porch. I would intend to probably leave the blinds closed most or all the time (no algae issues).
I originally intended to be able to open blinds in evening and let neighborhood enjoy tank from back, but I decided the clear background would take away from my own viewing too much so will be painting it. My mover buddies though have cautioned me against this placement. I have another option, but for several reasons I'd much prefer to stick with this. The concerns were primarily around condensation with the windows and salt creep.
I was wondering if I should be worried about that and options? I need to find something that wouldn't make the wall too unsightly, so just hanging plastic tarp isn't great. My ideas include possibly using a cover on the tank to further cut evaporation (between that and sump in basement figure it cant be too bad) Or possibly just moving the stand forward a bit to give me some clearance on the back wall I can squeeze behind a little to do some clean up as needed. This would require the overflows going from just a 45 angled into the vent straight under stand to being still same angle really but just angled out the back of the stand to the vent. Was planning on Herbie drain as the ML 300dd only has 2 holes in each overflow.
#2 I'm probably getting a steel stand made, I think it would be prettiest and easiest to get glossy black vs trying to mess with a big wood stand and look nice for my skills. Fairly tall stand since it's a DD tank for better viewing. Looking at emulating this tank from on RC. Difference being it's a FRAMED marineland.
http://ksimonian.com/J/Fish-Tank-03.jpgSo my question is with a steel stand similiar to the one linked. Is there any reason I should be having a board either under the stand or on top of the base like in image? Sump will be in basement as stated. Floor is wood laminate so I'll be putting towels down to work often regardless. Would like to avoid destroying it with imprints of the tank.
For the top of the stand, since Ive got the plastic rim, means I should NOT use foam or anything right? But any advantages to having a board across it vs just making sure the rim fits onto the foot print of the stand correctly.
#3 How much variation or what not do I have when it comes to steel. I see all the info on wood, but I don't know what changes for steel. Here's a stand unpainted by the guy I was going to have do mine.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5b51467338.jpg
But I notice its legs differ from the gorgeous one above. I am guessing I can skip those little wing supports in the back of the rimless 300 pic. But for my size tank (6x3x27high) Is it wise to stick with 2 vertical supports front/back besides the corners? And if so is it fine with the 3 foot width to not have an aditional vertical on the sides. (Not having it would be ideal for sliding in equipment if I had to abandon the basement sum for some reason.) Builder guy says he usually uses 1.75 square (so basically 2x2) for the steel.
Stand then be left open or just rare earch magnet some panels.
The wall area to be placed.
The look I'm going for (except mine is rimmed)
A previous stand the maker had done on a smaller tank unpainted.
