Tank design. Enough heat in winter???

[dgasmd]

I am planing a 350 tank and maybe 100-200 gal in sumps tank set up. This tank would eventually be inside the house when we move, but I am not moving for another 1 1/2 year and I am not willing to make structural changes to the house I live in now. I can't fit the tank in my basement now and I am not willing to gamble by putting it in my second floor where the living room is. That leaves me with putting it in the garage for now.

The garage is a 2 car garage with a common large door. I am willing to park outside for the next 1 1/2 - 2 years until we move, but my wife is not, so that means in the winter she would be driving in and out at least twice per day. My major concern is that the tank will get too cold with the garage door opening and closing. This is my planned set up for now. I will transfer my current 125 gal livestock to it. Everything is included in the set up except for the MH, chiller (which I already have), and heaters:

Tank- 96x36x26 acrylic
lights- four 400 watt 20K with e-ballast + four 72" VHO
300-350 LR total
3 inches of SD sand
830 aerofoamer skimmer
Little giant 4 md pump for circulation and another for the skimmer. Mag 24 inside the tank for circulation with multiple outlets
1/3 HP chiller and four 350-500 watt titanium heaters.

I plan on having a 4-5 degrees windows between the heaters and chiller and keep temp at 76-78F.

I do plan on having a few fans operating on the canopy and over the sump in addition to the chiller for the warmest months, but my biggest concern is the winter. So, here is the question to be answered:

Do you think that the opening and closing of the garage door in the winter will alter the temperature in the garage sufficiently to cause problems? What kind of measures other than the heaters I mentioned would you take to prevent fast cooling?

I would be setting up the tank over the next 2-3 weeks, so I want to plan ahead and adequately before the winter gets here. I live in Owing Mills, MD (right outside Baltimore).

I need to figure this out quickly since I have a very small window to work with between the time I set this up and the time I go back to work in 3 weeks.

Thanks in advance for all the constructive criticism and the helpful tips.

Alberto
Sorry this was so long.

[Reefland]

I wouldn't think the few minutes per day the door is open would mess with the temperature in the aquarium at all. The garage itself is temperature controlled correct? If so, I think you'll be fine. The only time I foresee a problem is if your wife forgets to close the garage door (whether accidentally or purposely) :eek3:

If your worried, you may consider an electric space heater which would come on for the minute the door would be open. Set it close to the door so when it opens and the cold air comes in, it's thermostat detects it and kicks on.

I would think you'll be ok but that's just my opinion,
Scott Z.