New build idea, feedback wanted

[capysolo]

So i am in the very early pre-planning stages of a new build. I'll start from the ground up explaining, then I'll get into the heart of the question.

there will be a large sump in the basement, probably 120+. Probably a stock tank/trough. It will house all the standard equipment, nothing special.

Upstream of that well be a 90 gallon refugium that will drain to the return section of the sump, skipping the skimmer and any other filtration.

The display will be on my main floor in what is now our dining room. I'm thinking a minimum off an 8' x 2' footprint or more, and at least 2' tall.

Here's my idea: on one side will be a reef housing all your normal reef stuff. 2-4" sand bed. The rock will gradually slope up from one side toward the middle, going all the way to the top, and all the way front to back. Essentially it well divide the tank. The reef will be about 5' of an 8' tank and maybe 6' of a 10' (if i go that big). The other side will have little to no rocks, 6"+ sand and will house garden eels. I will have a small power head or 2 toward the bottom of the rock wall dividing the tank aimed up and at the other side of the tank, hopefully keeping food in suspension for the eels.

I don't plan on the rock wall completely dividing the tank, just want it to be like a natural drop off. Nothing would keep critters from going from side to side, except hopefully the reef dwellers will want to stay on the reef and the eels will want to stay in their sand paradise.

Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? Advice?

 

[mlreef]

Go as big as you can on the foot print. I would suggest 8x3. My next build will hopefully be 12x6x3.

 

[Skimmo]

Hey Capy if I were to do a divided tank where the sandbed is an important component, I'd do a glass partition that's as tall as your sandbed's maximum depth. The rock partition is permeable and you'll compromise the nitrate sink in the deeper sandbed. If there's exposure to the deeper bed you'll have a runaway algae bloom.

 

[capysolo]

Go as big as you can on the foot print. I would suggest 8x3. My next build will hopefully be 12x6x3.

I can go longer, up to 10 feet i think. I'm not sure how wide i can go without the tank infringing on the entryway into the kitchen, no more than 30" though...

 

[capysolo]

Hey Capy if I were to do a divided tank where the sandbed is an important component, I'd do a glass partition that's as tall as your sandbed's maximum depth. The rock partition is permeable and you'll compromise the nitrate sink in the deeper sandbed. If there's exposure to the deeper bed you'll have a runaway algae bloom.

Not sure what I'll do about that. Not too keen on a glass (or acrylic) divider, might have to just try to fit the bottom rocks tight enough to keep the sand where it should be...