Setting up a 125 gallon tank..

[Justler]

Well, since I got the go-ahead for a home theater room in the basement... I'd like some suggestions on equipment that would make this tank about as maintenance intensive as a light switch. I would like to have a wide variety of vibrant colored fishes, tangs, angels, etc etc... I am open to ideas on just about everything... I would like to keep the lighting as unobstrusive as possible, so no pendants or anything hanging from the ceiling.

[GregD]

Justler,

I currently have a 75G fish tank in my home theater room and if I had it to do over I would not put my fish tank in/near my home theater room.

The two reasons for this are light and noise. If you are a serious audiophile, than both of these factors will really detract from the ability to enjoy your home theater's sound and picture, even with the ideal tank.

IF... I was forced to do it over again here some areas I would focus on:

- make sure the tank overflows are completely submerged (i.e. holes with strainers, similar to what is used for a closed loops.)

- make sure the sump and all other equipment such as pumps, skimmers and others are in a separate location where the sound cannot be heard in the home theater room

- build the face of the tank into a wall leving only a flat glass surface for viewing from the home theater room

-make sure all lights are also hidden from the front of the tank by a solid wall (in this case accessible from behind the tank only.

- build a screen that can be used to cover the front of the tank completely (no gaps at edges) to block the light.

With the above mods you should be able to isolate the two experiences (tank viewing and home theater).
However I think this really takes away from the enjoyment aspect of both so I will probabaly make sure they are separate in my future living spaces!


HTH,
Greg D

[Triggers]

I also plan on setting up a HT in my basement hopefully some time this year. I will plan on moving my 125 into it as well.

I have found that my tank is very silent with a couple of powerheads and w/d sump.

also the sound level i plan on listening to movies will drown out just about any sound a fish tank could possibly make.


in regards to your aspiration to aquire a wide variety of fish i.e tangs and angels; you will be restricted based on tank size.

as far as maintaince free. well, if you do your bi weekly water changes consistently get a ph meter that should about cover it.