Aquarium location question

**dialbat** · 01-25-2008, 10:58 PM

Hello!
I'm getting an aquarium I need some suggestions/ideas on my choice of the location for it.
We have a well lit kitchen with a bar-like shelf piece which kind of separates kitchen from dinning room. It will fit 30x12x20 tank. Will post pictures tonight when i get home.
Kitchen as well as dining room are well lit.
Kitchen has skylight and dinning room has all-wall sliding doors.
Location were i would like to have aquarium is not under direct sunlight and will be dark during normal night hours.
What would be you thoughts/suggestions on fishes being disturbed by us in the evening or night going for a drink or snack and turning light on?
If area is well lit daytime, should i still get a light for the aquarium?
I would like to have a see through tank so we could enjoy it from both sides, any issues with that?

Thank you

**NickFish** · 01-25-2008, 11:01 PM

I would like to have a see through tank so we could enjoy it from both sides, any issues with that?

Not sure what you mean by that as pretty much all tanks (except ones over 200gallons) are completely glass.
As long as you don't get really skittish fish they shouldn't be bothered by you coming up now and then. I'd get the biggest size tank you can fit in there, bigger is better (usually). You should still get a light for the aquarium, even if it just a small one.
Have you put any thought into the stocking yet? Be sure to read the free aquarium ebook on the site. Good Luck!

**Rue** · 01-25-2008, 11:03 PM

Seeing through the tank isn't an issue...it's beautiful, and commonly done.

Apparently having lights go on and off is stressful for fish. You can avoid that by using a nightlight ALL the time. The fish will get used to a dim nightlight and you can still see to get a glass of water at 2 am!

There have been concerns raised over toxins from cooking getting into the tank...so you may want to consider that...

My community tank is in the dining room beside the kitchen. It's a very well-lit space, so what I do is turn the lights off during daylight...and for early mornings and evenings I have a timer turn the light on so that the fish get a good 10 or more hours of light a day...

**dialbat** · 01-26-2008, 03:27 AM

Thank you guys.
In regards of see through both sides, i just mistakenly thought that maybe that would be to much for fish :) - as most of the folks keep tanks against the wall.
But i guess that should not be a problem.
Here are few pictures with the tank i got today 30x12x18.
It was on sale at PetCo, so i decided to grab it.
Bar is a bit longer, and I'm thinking about a getting a 36x12x18 which will almost perfectly fit, but then it might be too dangerous to keep it at the edge of the corner and be able to accidentally push it with a shoulder. I'm also planning on raising outside edges of the counter, so tank won't slide by about an inch.
This would be an ideal setup, but bringing it to the forum I'm hoping to hear some recommendations as well as an "eye opener" in case this is a disaster waiting to happen :)

**mitcore** · 01-26-2008, 03:33 AM

good spot for it, out of the external light

the external light if there is alot can cause extra algae growth, looks good

post pics when it is running

**Rue** · 01-26-2008, 03:43 AM

I think that spot will be fine too...

I would however, rig up something near to the wall that you can hide all the cords and everything in - if at all possible...such as a little plywood box painted to match your walls...

**dialbat** · 01-26-2008, 03:47 AM

Originally Posted by NickFish

Have you put any thought into the stocking yet? Be sure to read the free aquarium ebook on the site. Good Luck!

I've read the ebook and i've downloaded few others as well.
I'm planning on going through fishless cycle and take time.
As far as stocking goes, well it's the hardest part.
I want salt water coral riff with all the pretty fishes :)
Well, i have not made up my mind yet, but i found one suggestion you made on this forum:
8 Cardinal Tetras
2 Bolivian Rams
2 Gouramis
6 Corydoras
And after looking at the pictures of those fishes, i liked it.

**KcEE** · 01-26-2008, 04:00 AM

Hello there...First of all, that would be a nice spot to place a tank. But, I noticed that the stove isn't that far away. So the smoke and stuff from cooking might settle on the water surface. That could cause problems. Is the bartop the tank is on wood or concrete? Make sure that it is strong enough to surpport the weight. As for stocking, saltwater tanks require alot of care and experience. If you are new to the hobby, I suggest you go for freshwater first. But if you do go for saltwater, please do your research first. There are alot alot alot of things to research on and understand when it comes to this. Very little room for error.

**dialbat** · 01-26-2008, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by KcEE

But, I noticed that the stove isn't that far away. So the smoke and stuff from cooking might settle on the water surface. That could cause problems. Is the bartop the tank is on wood or concrete? Make sure that it is strong enough to support the weight.

KcEE ->
Thanks for pointing out about the stove. I am thinging on having a lid, so hopefully that won't be an issue, or would it?
It's a wood bartop, and as I'm filling tank with water (as i type) I'm thinking more and more on the weight factor. I guess i should seriously consider additional support, though bartop is halfway on the support and it sticks out on the kitchen side as well to ballance it off.
I will not go with salt water as i am a beginner.

**KcEE** · 01-26-2008, 04:24 AM

No worries. We're here to help and give advice.

The reason why I brought up the weight issue is because I noticed that the bartop is jutting out more on one side. The tank is gonna be pretty heavy especially after the gravel, driftwood and other decor goes in. So you might want to keep an eye on that.