Heya, similar kind of age to me etc + taste in fish
EXPECT ADDITIONAL COSTS! Sure, you might plan out things precisely but in my experience there are often little/or big things that crop up, have extra cash available.
I bought my tank at when I was 17 last year, 2nd hand off A.prophecy on the forum, 6ft x 2ft x 2t. So far I'd estimate my costs for setting up, maintaining/fixing stuff at almost 2grand.
Like you I wanted my tank in my room :happy1: . In terms of noise it depends on what you perceive as noisy. I have an fx5 running on the tank (quiet as), I had to buy a new pump to get water to the main tank from sump cos the original one was ridiculously loud, the only sound I have now is the noise of bubbles/sloshing water coming into the sump -which is fine for me, maybe not for others.
In terms of tank design, give yourself at least 5cm of space at the top of the tank between water and glass (make sure if you have a sump that the overflow is not too high), my one only has 2cmish which is undesirable = fish hit the roof hard (especially aros), lots of sloshing around. Also make sure the glass fits flat on the tank, not leaving gaps between bracings cos water will splash out onto the floor.
I fully recommend a sump. Especially with my fish, or for that matter any large fish fights may occur etc, a sump not only helps filtration but also serves as an effective way to separate fish/grow out babies.
Steel stands are the way to go. If you disagree listen to DavidR.
Lino/tile/hard floor I would say is a MUST. The amount water that has ended up on the floor has been insane, get a suitable flooring put in for a large tank.
Lights will be costly, steel stands are expensive, and then whatever else you want to put in the tank is up to you.
It was a slow process for me, I had to save for a long time, and it was key for me to have a job to pay for the extra crap.
I would budget for $2500 for an 8ft tank, be on the safe side for sure.
Also; plan how to get the tank into the room, just ask henward who helped out with mine, was a total pain in the arse to get the tank through the hallways, and mine was only 6ft lol.
just my 2cents