Viewable/both sides

[ansonluna]

I have a 125gal (72.5 by 18.5), and I was pondering setting it up so that it is viewable from both the front and back. Can anyone give me any input as to why this would be a bad idea? Also, does anyone else have this type of setup and been successful? The tank hasn't even had the salt water mixed yet, so I'm still in the setting up process. Thanks for any suggestions or comments.

[alexwolf]

I dont see why it wouldnt work. Would be awesome too, make the rock in the center so the fish can swim in circles. Way cool. Scuba Steveo has an inwall, and its cool to watch from both sides!

[scuba_steveo]

Yep, I like being able to see it from both sides. Where is it going to go? Will it be in the middle of a room or between two rooms in wall? If it is in the middle of the room you will have to have a custom stand and canopy and wiring and all sorts of other thing that I do not know about. If it is in wall it is very easy to do and works well. You can come see how I set mine up if you would like. The one thing I would like to do is setup a temporary back drop that I can put up so that you cannot see through the tank into my work room for when I have people over. This is not very important to me and if it is done it will be far in the future.

[NaCl_H2O]

My two large tanks are viewable from both sides, and I love it! Twice the LR surface to examine, and the fish love the multiple views too!

In a 125, it will be difficult to get the LR in the center (18" deep, right?). Mine and the other Steve's tanks are 24" deep

Good Luck - Steve (The good looking one :-D )

P.S. I am sure any MAAST member would be happy to "Show Off" our tanks if you want to see them.

[::pete::]

My 180 will be viewable from both front and back. I am going to make a panel that hangs on the back and is easily removed to close the room from the viewing area.

[GaryP]

I had a 50 gal. sitting behind my couch at one time. It was pretty cool.

Gary

[ansonluna]

I live in an apartment and I was gonna use the tank as a divider between the living room and the eating area. It's all pretty much one big, long open area. I did assume that I would not be able to put as much LR in it, but it would (i'm guessing) give the fish more swiming area. The living area is about 2 feet deeper across than the living area, so I could use that corner....well to make corner of LR. My main concern is making the canapy and stand presentable on both sides.

[NaCl_H2O]

~Pete~ can help you with the stand issue - you will really like the "see through" setup if you can make it work. Th only real "Down Side" is twice as much glass to keep clean :cry:

[Polkster13]

I too have a 135 gallon tank that is between the dining room and the main living room. When you come in the front door, you see the end of the tank, the living room sees one side and the dining room the other. You can walk around and see all four sides. I had to have a custom built canopy for the tank that was completely inclosed. I also put a riser under the stand to get the tank higher off of the ground so the middle of the tank would be at eye level. One of the bad things of this setup is I have to use a chair to work on the tank, but I usually just grab one of the dining room chairs. Also all filters and pumps are inside the tank or canopy as the canopy goes all the way around the tank and therefore I cannot have anything that hangs on the side.

I would be more than happy to have you come over and take a look at it. Just PM me and I will send you directions to my house. I live on the north end of Lake Travis just outside of Austin.

[mathias]

If you are in a apartment building are you on the bottom floor or second? Because a tank that size with live rock may weigh a little much :)

Just saying :)

[GaryP]

I would suggest figuring out how you are going to run power to the tank without tripping over a bunch of extension cords. If all else fails use some duct tape.

Gary

[ansonluna]

The tank will have one end against the wall, for cords and pipes. So really you will only be able to see 3 sides of it. And I do live on the second floor, but I don't think it would fall through the floor....at least I hope not. The peeps below can just have a convex ceiling :lol:

Polkster: thanks for the invite, I don't go that direction that often. I appreciate it though. I may contact you though if I run into any snags. Since you've seemed to make it work.

[Polkster13]

If you can receive large files via email, I can send you some pics of my setup. PM me with your email address and I will see what I can send you.

[ansonluna]

Just keeping you guys updated on my project. Gonna post pics and see if it works. The first is my apartment w/o tank. The next two are both sides with tank in place. Thanks to Pete for making the hood and makeing the back side of the stand look like the front.

[ansonluna]

third pic

[ansonluna]

My dogs playing pet shop. :-D

[ansonluna]

other pic

[::pete::]

... and raising it 6" ;)

It looks good !!! What kind of fish are they? :)

[ansonluna]

Oh yeah, forgot bout the 6" lift. They are known as Mexicalus Chihuhuanthias.

[verynewatthis]

your tank is going to look great....it looks so cool...i want one....
rich hancock

[blueboy]

thats gonna be sweet

[ansonluna]

verynewatthis - all you need is several hundred dollars :o . and more patience than you've ever had to muster for anything that you've ever wanted more in your life :shock: :o :shock: :o

blueboy - thanks

[ansonluna]

I had to give up my 03 Shocker w/Max-Flo, 45/88 tank, Halo B loader w/rip drive, Dye overnight bag, and all other paintball related accesories to get this tank up and running.....and I still won't have enough to buy all the live rock I need and critters to go inside. It's gonna be a slow process.

[Instar]

Slow is excellent with reefs. Your tank stability will be enhanced with that approach. Looking great so far. Anyway, its going to take those chihuahua dogs some time to acclimate to all the light and current. ;)

[bozack]

looks very nice, those poor dogs look like they had no idea what was going on.

Great looking hood and stand too.