How my big tank got tiny

[Jason]

Ive been planing a Viv for a couple months now, doing reaserch and buying up what i can useing the " better safe then sorry" method. i started out with a 90G aga 36x24x24. so far i have a false back to hide my inlet/ outlet lines as well as other cords for internal filters and such 2.750'' off the back wall as to be able to remove the pumps for cleaning, roughly 2'' of GreatStuff and another 3'' of decorative wood in random locations. My false bottom is 4.250'' off the base as most filters or pumps are 2-3'' thick or better on there side, .250'' egg crate, 1'' of gravel for a drainage layer and 3'' of soil for the plants. All this effectively turned my 90g 36x24x24 tank into a 44g 36x18x16, and thats not including the plants,rocks,other pieces of wood and other items one may add to a tank. you may find your available space limiting even further. Basically what im trying to get at is measure all the gear you need to place inside before building, gear and decorative items alike then you can figure out your actuall living space and pick a pet that best suits those dimentions. This may not effect those of us with larger tanks to a noticeable degree but beware those of you with smaller more easily crowded tanks. God i hope this makes sence lol,

[Waterkeeper]

LOL..Iknow what you mean. after putting in a false back and false bottom in my 44 I probably have internal dimensions close to a 30 gal, and ground space closer to a 20High. Once I put that FB fixture in there and tried to work around it a little bit, was like WOH this got small.....

[drochon2006]

I completly agree as well. I am in the process of building a viv out of an oak TV Armoire. i did a lot fo custom work to it and i was planing on the full size being plenty of space for my frilled dragon to live in. now that the substrate, foam background, slate waterfall and river are all in there is hardly enough room for an adult Frillie. good thing for now he is still small so i'll be ok with this one but I will have to build another one (good excuse to do it all again, dont tell the wife later on down the road.