My Opportunity...
In 2003, my wife and I were fortunate enough to be able to build a house and I immediately began to think about where I could put a tank and what size I could get away with.

Initially, I was going to go all out and have the tank as a wall somewhere in the house, but decided against that for a number of reasons, not least the cost involved.

When the plans were finished and after lots of discussion with my mate Steve, who also happens to own a fish shop (www.fishfx.net), I decided that an 11 foot wall at one end of the living room was the best location.

The Tank, Stand and Surround
The tank is made of 15mm glass with the exception of the base, which is 19mm.

The dimensions: 8 feet long x 3 feet high x 2 feet deep.

There are triangular overflow sections at both ends which feed into the sumps below. The overflows can be seen in the first three photos.

The stand is 2 inch steel.

The surround is 3/4 inch marine ply with a maple veneer. I designed the surround but it was made by a furniture manufacturing company. As can be seen from the third photo, the front above and below and the top can all easily removed for access.