Built in 6' Tank

[LoveTheFishies]

I'm in the planning stages for a 6' long built in aquarium.  It will be able to be seen from both long sides, a wall divider.  My living room is open concept, and there are "cat walks" that are on 18" base pillars.  These are nicely placed at 6'.  What I envision is 6' long by 24" deep and 24" to 30" tall.  180 or 224 gal tank.
It could be seen in the living room and also the hallway between the dining room, entryway, and kitchen.

My brother is a custom carpenter who does custom stairs and cabinets in California.  Sometime this summer he is going to come and do some projects for me.  One being putting custom cabinetry under the tank with doors that open on each side.  Also, to close in above the tanks with hinges that let the doors swing up and out of the way for maintence. 

Thinking about getting the tank from Great Lakes Aquariums.  Acrylic is lighter, but I like the fact that glass doesn't scratch as easily.

The pillars on each end are hollow, 2x4 with drywall.  The pillars would have drywall removed on each end to allow for hoses, air lines, electrical cords to run.  Could do some rough shelves to hold the equipment.   Would have an electrician run multiple outlets on its own breaker.  The basement is unfinished, so this shouldn't be too hard.  There is a utility sink in the laundry room about 20' away.  I use this right now for a 60 gal tank. 

A couple of pix of the area are posted.

Questions for you 
1.  Should I run any water in the pillars near the tank?  Again, unfinished basement so technically not too difficult.  I have nice hard michigan water, so it doesn't need treatment.
2.  What about a drainage line, I can use either the laundry room or a bathroom.
3. Does the floor need to be reinforced?  This area will run right over the main floor beam.  This is newer construction, only about 7 years old.
4.  Glass or acrylic. 

Suggestions for Me

Thanks.  I've seen alot of useful information here and am looking forward to your input.

[LoveTheFishies]

Couple more pix.  Last one is of a 60 gal tank I have some smaller fish in now.  Plan on using it for a hospital tank or growing up new fish after I get the built in.

[Super Turtleman]

Looks like this will be a nice project.

Your questions (answers are just my opinion)

1) If you could run water and a drain up one of the pillars that would make your water changes a snap. If it's feasible to do I'd do it in a heartbeat!

2) See #1

3) If your running right over the main floor beam I would think it would be fine. However, I'm not a builder or engineer so if you have any doubts I'd check with a professional. You could call your builder and ask them...they should be able to tell you easy enough.

4) Tough question. Acrylic is lighter and generally clearer but also easier to scratch from what I've read (never owned an acrylic tank). It also costs more. Do you plan on having a lot of rock work in the tank and moving it around a lot (catching fish, etc)? If so I'd go with glass...but glass will scratch too, so I'd say this one would mostly be personal preference.

Keep this updated...should look great when done.

[four_by_ken]

If you can put water supply and drains in... go for it!  I would love to have water and drains right at my tanks.

Would you run hot and cold water?  Our well water is COLD.

[GrizzlysDad]

If the tank is indeed right over the main weight bearing beam you will be fine.
If you decide to run water lines through the pillars I would be sure the lines were solid, one piece, with no couplings that could develop any leaks.
As for the glass vs. acrylic...I agree with Emil. One question that is often overlooked though when pertaining to scratches on acrylic: The outside of the tank...do you have young children, or any that visit regularly, or even pets? The outside of an acrylic tank can be scratched just as easily as the inside.
One more thing...I can't tell from the description but don't forget that you can run any extra electrical circuits through the hollow pillars.

[Marty]

I agree with Tony regarding the weight, in a house that new, you would be fine anywhere, not just over the beam.  If you're paranoid and you don't have any mechanicals in the way, you could double up every other floor joist for extra support.  In my opinion, this is overkill (I used to frame houses for a living), but if it makes you feel better go for it.

[LoveTheFishies]

Looks like this will be a nice project.

Your questions (answers are just my opinion)

1) If you could run water and a drain up one of the pillars that would make your water changes a snap. If it's feasible to do I'd do it in a heartbeat!

2) See #1

3) If your running right over the main floor beam I would think it would be fine. However, I'm not a builder or engineer so if you have any doubts I'd check with a professional. You could call your builder and ask them...they should be able to tell you easy enough.

4) Tough question. Acrylic is lighter and generally clearer but also easier to scratch from what I've read (never owned an acrylic tank). It also costs more. Do you plan on having a lot of rock work in the tank and moving it around a lot (catching fish, etc)? If so I'd go with glass...but glass will scratch too, so I'd say this one would mostly be personal preference.

Keep this updated...should look great when done.

Thanks, I was strongly thingking about running the water up.  Only recently thought about the drain line.  The more I think about it, the more appealing its becoming.  Think I will give the contractor a call.  A large tank like that will probably be upwards of 2,000 lbs.

I like "real" rock which is another reason I have never gone for acrylic.

[LoveTheFishies]

If you can put water supply and drains in... go for it!  I would love to have water and drains right at my tanks.

Would you run hot and cold water?  Our well water is COLD.

Was thinking about both.  It would keep the temp change to a minimum with water changes.

[LoveTheFishies]

If the tank is indeed right over the main weight bearing beam you will be fine.
If you decide to run water lines through the pillars I would be sure the lines were solid, one piece, with no couplings that could develop any leaks.
As for the glass vs. acrylic...I agree with Emil. One question that is often overlooked though when pertaining to scratches on acrylic: The outside of the tank...do you have young children, or any that visit regularly, or even pets? The outside of an acrylic tank can be scratched just as easily as the inside.
One more thing...I can't tell from the description but don't forget that you can run any extra electrical circuits through the hollow pillars.

No kids at home.  But I do have small ones visit. I like the way rock looks in a tank, but if I use as much as in my other tanks, it would be HEAVY.  I was contemplating making some foam/carved "rocks" for either end to hide the filter lines/ heaters. 
Yes, I was going to put electrical outlets in both of the end pillars.

[LoveTheFishies]

I agree with Tony regarding the weight, in a house that new, you would be fine anywhere, not just over the beam.  If you're paranoid and you don't have any mechanicals in the way, you could double up every other floor joist for extra support.  In my opinion, this is overkill (I used to frame houses for a living), but if it makes you feel better go for it.

Thanks, the length of the tank is going the same direction, and right over the main support beam in the basement.  So I though it would be ok.  I may ask the contractor if I should put another of the metal supports under the beam.  Probably just being paranoid, but I wouldn't like a bath if something settled and the glass cracked.

[GrizzlysDad]

If the tank is indeed right over the main weight bearing beam you will be fine.
If you decide to run water lines through the pillars I would be sure the lines were solid, one piece, with no couplings that could develop any leaks.
As for the glass vs. acrylic...I agree with Emil. One question that is often overlooked though when pertaining to scratches on acrylic: The outside of the tank...do you have young children, or any that visit regularly, or even pets? The outside of an acrylic tank can be scratched just as easily as the inside.
One more thing...I can't tell from the description but don't forget that you can run any extra electrical circuits through the hollow pillars.

No kids at home.  But I do have small ones visit. I like the way rock looks in a tank, but if I use as much as in my other tanks, it would be HEAVY.  I was contemplating making some foam/carved "rocks" for either end to hide the filter lines/ heaters. 
Yes, I was going to put electrical outlets in both of the end pillars.

My 190g (72"x24"x25"H) has several hundred pounds of rock in addition to 200# of gravel/sand and I've never thought twice about the weight being an issue.

[LoveTheFishies]

If the tank is indeed right over the main weight bearing beam you will be fine.
If you decide to run water lines through the pillars I would be sure the lines were solid, one piece, with no couplings that could develop any leaks.
As for the glass vs. acrylic...I agree with Emil. One question that is often overlooked though when pertaining to scratches on acrylic: The outside of the tank...do you have young children, or any that visit regularly, or even pets? The outside of an acrylic tank can be scratched just as easily as the inside.
One more thing...I can't tell from the description but don't forget that you can run any extra electrical circuits through the hollow pillars.

No kids at home.  But I do have small ones visit. I like the way rock looks in a tank, but if I use as much as in my other tanks, it would be HEAVY.  I was contemplating making some foam/carved "rocks" for either end to hide the filter lines/ heaters. 
Yes, I was going to put electrical outlets in both of the end pillars.

My 190g (72"x24"x25"H) has several hundred pounds of rock in addition to 200# of gravel/sand and I've never thought twice about the weight being an issue.

Thanks for the good info.  Is this tank on the main floor or basement?

[GrizzlysDad]

If the tank is indeed right over the main weight bearing beam you will be fine.
If you decide to run water lines through the pillars I would be sure the lines were solid, one piece, with no couplings that could develop any leaks.
As for the glass vs. acrylic...I agree with Emil. One question that is often overlooked though when pertaining to scratches on acrylic: The outside of the tank...do you have young children, or any that visit regularly, or even pets? The outside of an acrylic tank can be scratched just as easily as the inside.
One more thing...I can't tell from the description but don't forget that you can run any extra electrical circuits through the hollow pillars.

No kids at home.  But I do have small ones visit. I like the way rock looks in a tank, but if I use as much as in my other tanks, it would be HEAVY.  I was contemplating making some foam/carved "rocks" for either end to hide the filter lines/ heaters. 
Yes, I was going to put electrical outlets in both of the end pillars.

My 190g (72"x24"x25"H) has several hundred pounds of rock in addition to 200# of gravel/sand and I've never thought twice about the weight being an issue.

Thanks for the good info.  Is this tank on the main floor or basement?

Main floor and no issues

[Marty]

I agree with Tony regarding the weight, in a house that new, you would be fine anywhere, not just over the beam.  If you're paranoid and you don't have any mechanicals in the way, you could double up every other floor joist for extra support.  In my opinion, this is overkill (I used to frame houses for a living), but if it makes you feel better go for it.

Thanks, the length of the tank is going the same direction, and right over the main support beam in the basement.  So I though it would be ok.  I may ask the contractor if I should put another of the metal supports under the beam.  Probably just being paranoid, but I wouldn't like a bath if something settled and the glass cracked.

The wood floor joists would fail long before your stanchions would.

[LoveTheFishies]

Finally ordered a 195 gallon show tank.  72x24x26.  Fluval fx6 filter.  72'' T5 Ho Aquarium Light 4x 80 w/ Lunar LED Moon Lighting.  2-300 watt Fluval E Electronic Heaters.  A hidden hydrosponge V with power head.

Will be looking for some large holey rock.  Personally like the 5mm size rock for substrate rather than sand.

Found some nice driftwood around the lake.  Have some 14x14" slate I chip down in thickness and make random shape.

Anything else you can think of that I need at this point?  (other than fish of course) 

Thanks for your input