DIY Storefront

[Trent]

So it begins. The planning stages of a new location.
My current tank will be installed in my new place off to the side.
My plans are to buy or build a large tank for the main display window (facing the street).
Ceilings are about 10'.
My first and most important job is to arrange power.
There is 110 and 220 volt service.
Amps, I don't know yet. Guessing 30 amp service.
There's a stove connector in the room.

Now, it has been too many years since grade 11 electricity to recall the fundamentals.
I'm trying to think ahead. Trying anyway.
Now, if I plan on running large tanks with equipment all over like pumps and lights to mention a few, I need to somehow calculate my average needs.

question1: Is 220 Volts required or suggested?
due to the amp draw from the pumps.
I'm guessing I would have to add up the amp draw on all my running devices to get an idea. But I don't have all the units I plan to use yet.

question2: should I wire up what I have with the 110 volts then add on later?

This is probably real simple. Lets get the electrical people out here and see.

Plumbing should be much easier. The new RO/DI filter is on the way.
There's a working sink but no floor drain.

As I will be starting off with very little any and all donations and contributions will be rewarded somehow.

This new location can become an exciting endevour.
I do relish the thought of people walking down the street, stopping, and saying to themselves 'WOW, look at that!'
Then of course he or she will enter the store a week later with interest and questions.

Honestly....I don't expect to make any money. I do expect to enjoy myself and hopefully others can experience the joy I have felt.

Many side-venture opportunities could be construed.
(p.s. Scott and Mitch - executive system building, sales and service)
I'm anxious to read others thoughts.
I have before pics (before renovation) but will wait to post until I have the afters.
:smoke:

[Chrismo]

Your starting your own store?! Wow that must be exciting! It's something I've been thinking I'd like to do when I retire a zillion years from now.


The planning stages of a new location.
You have an old fish store location?

You'll get to fiddle all day with tanks!

So, you're thinking of having a reef right in the front window? That would look awesome! I think you'de get lots of customers wandering in asking about it.

On the other hand, It's often suggested NOT to keep tanks in direct sunlight because of temperature fluctuations caused by the sun, and algae too.

I would worry too about the glare off the window pane added to the glare off the tank. UNless you used the front window AS the Tank glass! but that would be a pain with boneheads tapping on your glass!

Good luck with it! Keep us informed!

[Trent]

Thanks Chris.
The location used to be a record store, and before that a barber shop.
As for fiddleing all day with tanks, I wish. My current employment will be the same and I can flip the open sign whenever I'm there.

And you're right to question the sunlight. Luckily out of the four directions, my window faces North. About glare, never really thought about that. Hopefully it won't be an issue. And no, I can't see maring the front of the tank with the window mainly because of people tapping on the glass and other reasons like heat exchange!

I got some measurements just recently. Imagining what the new tank would look like.
looks like I've got about 6' - 6.5' of length and 3' - 4' of width to realistically build or install a new aquarium.
There are several opportunities here so I'd like to here some suggestions.