Finally bought my HDB unit!

[seamonkee]

Hi folks! Finally we got our 5-room unit at Jalan Batu (Tanjong Rhu). Getting married in Sept 2004.

As usual being a reefer, when we view our unit, the first thing I look out for was a place in the unit to install my new tank (as promised by my wife). hehehhe...

I plan to convert part of the storeroom (The storeroom is not a bomb shelter so it's ok to knock down) and make it a tank with a work station behind (something like AT's) but perhaps smaller lah...

I really need all the help I can because I am still new to stuff like calcium reactor, chiller and stuff... I have a 2 x 2 x 1.5 feet tank at moment and having really been exposed to the big boy stuff...

The unit I have is a brand new one (we are the first owner) so now it's cement walls, flooring and such... I would like to find out when is the best time to start on my tank project.

1) Start off immediately as part of the renovation - Find a designer-contractor who does the whole unit renovation and is able to do tank setup as well. is there such person?

OR

2) Finish my renovation (wall, ceiling, flooring and stuff) and then talk about it later...

Also, I really need help from you all. At moment, I do some reading up but some guidance will be great....

Please give me your recommendations & suggestions...

Probably looking at a 4 or 5 footer...

Thanks!

[Tanzy]

Cool! Maybe AT can help more here. I can't really provide much with respect to renovation and tank rooms. Perhaps, you should try the usual more specific questions in the main forums.

[flubberina13]

Congrats...bro...finally a place to call your own...

[bum]

congrats dude,

got my new home in 2002!

my advice is to plan, plan and then plan some more!!

look for a good vent, or window to place your chiller.

i regret my placement cos it makes my study super hot.

upon hindsight, there are many better places i'd rather have the

heat escape.

leave space for expansion, cos theres just too many toys out there

like you said..calcium reactor, giant skimmers, etc,etc

if its going to be a big tank, and in built, then its going to be difficult to make agjustments later

congrats dude,

looking forward to seeing our tank

[19percula]

congrats

home sweet home

[hsloo]

Woowww... congratulate to you! It is my dream to have my own home and build the tank. Enjoy.

[seamonkee]

Congrats...bro...finally a place to call your own...     

Yeah, I will do an open house once it's done... being once from the zoo & having done taxidermy, my house will probably be safari style with a skull centrepiece...

And thanks for everyone's advice.... It will be great if I can meet up with someone to walk through with me.... thanks!

[Tigger]

congras

[Siput]

Congrats! Shld build it during renovation (at least the space, etc.) - but know what u want, etc. Simple illustration, when renovating I had extra power points laid in and phone line extended to 1 room (proposed study room)....after everything had been done and moved in, started to regret this and regret that.

Impt, get full category 5 cabling done to every room (under the floor) and additional power points (the more the merrier!). Then start planning for tank, etc...get the basics right/in first...the rest can come later...

[ReDDeviLs]

congrats pal!

go for a bigger tank!

[Achilles Tang]

Going to give the monkee a look through at my place to get a better idea what's in store for a really serious... reef tank with home attached.

Hopefully with more tips thrown in, it'll give him a better idea!

[Achilles Tang]

Tip: Don't get parquet or laminated hardboard floorings.

Always assume a flood or major spill will happen.

If you can built a channel or wet area for your tank, that's best!

[nutx]

reef tank with home attached.

wow...this is real SERIOUS!

tank before the home...

[RAV-65]

Bro, i've been tinking about how i wanna do up my house in the future too, if u have a room for the tank itself, try to pick a room whereby the contractor can connect water pipes easily too,....

I personally would build 4 tanks, the main, the sump and another to keep water to age and a hospital/quarantine tank.... and have a pipe connected to the sump reservoir so dat by juz opening the tap on the pipe, the water would juz flow out to a drain or something.... den water is pumped into the sump from the spare tank with a flick of the switch, dat way, changing water is a breeze and i can conduct even emergency 50% water changes very quickly and hassle free...

Vincent Ho

[seamonkee]

Hey Vincent,

The piping idea is great... Always find it a neck wreck to carry pails of water...

Alternatively, with so many people giving up their hobbies, I can pick up a second-deal cabinet tank easily too...

[RAV-65]

Bro, if you have the time on your side, best is to take your time so dat u can pick up good deals.... if you rush, normally, u end up spending more $$$...

Vincent Ho