Planning your Custom Aquarium

Custom aquariums can make the most extreme aquarist dreams come true. Custom aquariums compliment any décor. This will assist with planning you custom aquarium project. Below are a few things to consider when planning your dream custom aquarium:

Easy Aquarium Access
Aquarium access is important for routine maintenance. We recommend 75%-100% of the aquarium height in free space above the aquarium. Aquarium decorations will need to be removed monthly for maintenance. Not allowing good access for maintenance will result in a much higher cost to service the aquarium. Cabinet doors above the aquarium should be designed to allow easy access to the entire aquarium surface.

Proper Aquarium Ventilation
Proper ventilation is very important to plan for when planning your custom aquarium. Without proper ventilation heat and moisture damage to millwork is possible. Failure to allow for good ventilation could require major work to be done later to your custom aquarium.

Reef Aquarium Display with Chiller
Reef aquariums require powerful lighting and pumps which will increase the heat production in and around the aquarium by as much as 70 percent, depending on ambient room temperature and ventilation. This may raise the water temperature by ten degrees or more. An aquarium chiller will become a necessity. Chillers cannot be fully enclosed, so it is important to carefully consider their location.

Leave Adequate Space Below Aquarium
It is important to leave adequate space for good filtration and other aquatic life-support equipment, or if possible, plan to locate the aquarium mechanicals in the basement of your home.

Electrical Requirements
Electrical Requirements will vary depending on the size and type of custom aquarium. Outlets should be ground-fault interruption protected, and proper amperage needs will need to be calculated to prevent power outages to the aquarium.

Installation
Custom aquarium lead times can vary from 5-10 weeks dependent on the level of customization and size of aquarium. If the custom aquarium is being built into a wall or other structure as part of a new build-out or building, the tank may be placed in position and rough-plumbed prior to millwork installation. However, the actual aquarium work should be completed ONLY AFTER all other trades work has been completed, including carpeting and flooring. Much attention is needed after the aquarium is filled, as establishing a stable ecology in an aquarium may take months. The aquarium should be stocked slowly over several months and algae should be allowed to grow for a while before the aquarium is first cleaned.

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Custom Acrylic Fish Tanks Best Virtual marketplace for acrylic aquariums, custom aquarium cabinetry, aquarium lighting and filtration consultation services. Aquariumsource specializes in the creation of fine aquarium cabinets made from bamboo, makore, oak, maple, cherry, anegre, wenge, ebony, lacewood, maple and ash. Aquarium shapes include rectangular, corner bow, bow-front, half cylinder, hexagon, flat back hexagon, and pentagons.

Submitted by: Todd Hemme
Aquariumsource

Custom Acrylic Fish Tanks