[jmetcalf]

I hate starting a new hobby because there are so many decisions to make.

I the case of this hobby I need to decide if i want to do fresh or reef tank.

Yesterday i purchased a 125 gallon (72x18x23) tank that has dual overflows in the corners.

As with any new hobby I start I obsess with it and it consumes a great deal of my thoughts.

My wife will probably want me to freshwater. I want to do a reef tank.

So while thinking today I came with an idea so briliant it is doomed to failure.......errr I mean success.

I was thinking about putting a glass divider in the middle of the tank and seperating it into basically two seperate 36x18x23 tanks.

With the dual overflows running at 700 gph each side would have its own overflow. Below the tank each side would have its own sump/filtration. A custom made hood could divide the hood in half so no fishes could jump from one side to the next.

Freshwater and reefs keep pretty much the same temperature so that wouldn't be a problem.

Salt creep could be a minor problem but if checked regularly wouldnt be a problem.

If the glass divider was colored (say a dark color like black) and the hood was built right it would keep the different spectrums of light from invading the other side.

So what do you think??? Could it work?

I am not planning on doing this. (YET :0 ) But it would be awesome to have both salt and fresh in the same tank side by side.

Cmon folks talk me out of it

[reefnoob1991]

Sounds possible, just make sure you use a paint or some black material as the divider that allows no light to pass through. Maybe you can get a fixture that fits exactly on one side and another bulb set on the other?

[e_baer]

Yeah, if definately sounds possible. If it were me, I would breed feeder fish in the freshwater part and have some wicked mean fish in the saltwater! Thats just me though.

[jmetcalf]

Hehehe you guys are supposed to tell me it is impossible.

How much you want to bet I call the glass company to see how much a piece of glass would be?

Another thing I was thinking about is I can set up just one side first to check for any leaks between the tanks.

This could save me a little money on the setup costs of the tank. Or at least allow me to spread the cost out a little.

[Six-line Wrasse]

Your idea is very perfectly plausible, definitely take pictures of it's construction and setup if you do decide to continue it.

[glampka]

I think someone has already done this. Totally possible. Be sure you seal the divider from both sides. You could fill 1 side to see if it leaks into the other. Good luck & keep us posted if you decided to try it.

[reefdaddy725]

First thing I would say is; Do you really want to see that seam in the front of the tank? I don't know how good that would look. Second if you do try this I would recomend that you support the empty side when testing for leaks because you could undo all of your work if the silicone gives out due to the water pressure on the full side. Third thing is do what I did talk your wife into the reef it worked for me Good luck in whatever you deside to do.

[Kimjo1]

I have seen a 90 g corner bow tank set up for exactally this situation and it was awesome set up in the store.. maybe check out this sort of ready made tank?

Kim

[Brandan]

Originally Posted by reefdaddy725

First thing I would say is; Do you really want to see that seam in the front of the tank? I don't know how good that would look. Second if you do try this I would recomend that you support the empty side when testing for leaks because you could undo all of your work if the silicone gives out due to the water pressure on the full side. Third thing is do what I did talk your wife into the reef it worked for me Good luck in whatever you deside to do.

One thing you could do is fill one side with water, and then the other with water, but leave the water level a few inches below the other, if you come back in the morning and one side as gone down, and then other has gone up, then you have a leak. That is just one way to do it, if you do not have a way to support the glass divider.

[IceMan]

Originally Posted by jmetcalf

How much you want to bet I call the glass company to see how much a piece of glass would be?

why not go with lexan will be alot cheaper

[IceMan]

Originally Posted by reefdaddy725

First thing I would say is; Do you really want to see that seam in the front of the tank? I don't know how good that would look. Second if you do try this I would recomend that you support the empty side when testing for leaks because you could undo all of your work if the silicone gives out due to the water pressure on the full side. Third thing is do what I did talk your wife into the reef it worked for me Good luck in whatever you deside to do.

add a piece of molding down the front to cover the silicon seam, just match it to bands on tank

[Jeremy0322]

Or buy her a 20 gallon tank and tell her to make it freshwater, and then do the monster as a reef. Than everyone is happy...hopefully

[IceMan]

well i can't argue that...

[Packer Lakerfan4]

dude do it....just so we can see pictures of that beast

[Jeremy0322]

Yea, i definitely think just making the entire tank a reef tank is your way to go.

[bnhaus]

Yes you can do it.

Concerns:
- leaks (obvious)
- Seam showing in the front.
- Cost for 2 complete set ups where it is just easier to get another tank.
- Salt build up
- Temperature: May be harder to maintain Temps at optimum levels


Do what I did. I took my wife to the LFS and showed her the possibilities of a reef tank.
The vibrant colors of the fish. The beauty of the corals. It worked.

Only saltwater tanks in the house.

[Jeremy0322]

or you could just take her to a walmart and show her how freshwater fish look. It is like to opposite of what bnhaus said, when she sees that section she will want saltwater.