120g in-wall build thread
- Thread starter JDL
- Start date
rguyler
New member
Better than paint, use a varnish. Smells for a few days but is very durable in a marine environment.
Are you comfortable modifying the framing in that wall once you cut out the studs? It's not a support wall is it? If you need some help on that part of it let us know (I've done a lot of construction on my house over the years). Looking at your stand construction I have a feeling you're pretty well set on that part of the project.
2turtles, sounds like we're married to the same woman.
Are you comfortable modifying the framing in that wall once you cut out the studs? It's not a support wall is it? If you need some help on that part of it let us know (I've done a lot of construction on my house over the years). Looking at your stand construction I have a feeling you're pretty well set on that part of the project.
2turtles, sounds like we're married to the same woman.
JDL
New member
I imagine that wall is using metal studs, like this:
the rest of the basement has those studs in them. I do not think that wall is load bearing. The basement was finished when i purchased the house. Once i cut the drywall i'll be able to see inside the wall to verify things much better.
The hardest part of this project will be framing the area for the tank between the walls.
I'm sure i'll have questions once i can get inside that wall.
thanks
the rest of the basement has those studs in them. I do not think that wall is load bearing. The basement was finished when i purchased the house. Once i cut the drywall i'll be able to see inside the wall to verify things much better.
The hardest part of this project will be framing the area for the tank between the walls.
I'm sure i'll have questions once i can get inside that wall.
thanks
JeffBoyRD
Member
JDL,
I am new to Reef Central as well as Susquehanna Reef Club. Looking great so far and am excited to see how it goes. It is always awesome to see the complete work from start to finish in front of our eyes. I am looking to finish my basement this summer and part of my plans is to incorporate a tank in the corner of a wall.
Do you have a plan showing what this will look like? I was wondering what your plan is for the tank/stand and the wall and how the 3 of them will merge together.
Thanks and continue the great work.
JeffBoyRD
I am new to Reef Central as well as Susquehanna Reef Club. Looking great so far and am excited to see how it goes. It is always awesome to see the complete work from start to finish in front of our eyes. I am looking to finish my basement this summer and part of my plans is to incorporate a tank in the corner of a wall.
Do you have a plan showing what this will look like? I was wondering what your plan is for the tank/stand and the wall and how the 3 of them will merge together.
Thanks and continue the great work.
JeffBoyRD
JDL
New member
well this project started out in a different area. I was going to place the 120 under my kitchen. It was perfect because of the rodi unit was already there and i have a sump pump in that area as well. But it was too small an area and i would have to make a wall where currently double folding closet door are located. It seemed easier and better to make a 10x12 room my entire fish room, with a small portion of the room an office area for my gf to view facebook or whatever she does in that area.
as far as how it will look from the outside room looking in? this is how i plan to do things.... taken from another build thead:
once i cut the hole in the wall and build the framing, i'll put the tank on the stand and start the plumbing. I have a few options. I may put my msx skimmer in a 40g stock tank and run all the plumping in there, then gravity feed it out a bulkhead into the 50g rubbermaid tank. Not sure yet.
JeffBoyRD
Member
Nice. Now I see that the framing of the wall will go in front of the displaying, making a sort of shelf area.
Question though, especially for others that have built in wall tanks, would you or wouldn't you want access to the top of the tank from the display side? I have heard a little both ways. Of course it looks nicer, not always, without access, but it seems that you always need it for something, others have said. Thoughts? Just wondering, as I too am figuring out how I would incorporate into my room. Thanks.
Question though, especially for others that have built in wall tanks, would you or wouldn't you want access to the top of the tank from the display side? I have heard a little both ways. Of course it looks nicer, not always, without access, but it seems that you always need it for something, others have said. Thoughts? Just wondering, as I too am figuring out how I would incorporate into my room. Thanks.
JDL
New member
yes a shelf area.
I have seen builds where they have a hinge opening where a canopy is usually located to get to the lights and other top area things for tanks. Since my setup is back from the wall 8-9 inches, getting to the top from the viewing room isnt really an option, and not needed since i can access the entire tank inside the fish room.
I picked up some exterior wood protection finish from HD. I'll coat the stand instead of painting it.
I have seen builds where they have a hinge opening where a canopy is usually located to get to the lights and other top area things for tanks. Since my setup is back from the wall 8-9 inches, getting to the top from the viewing room isnt really an option, and not needed since i can access the entire tank inside the fish room.
I picked up some exterior wood protection finish from HD. I'll coat the stand instead of painting it.
turbonegro
Member
Hey Jdl, Welcome to the club! What are the dimensions of the room?
Hey JDL im in Myerstown, in fact i moved from Palmyra so let me know if you ever need any help or anything like that im right down the road. Everything is looking good so far keep up the work. So what kind of tank is this going to be are you going to be keeping a mix of things.
turbonegro
Member
Is this room going to be dedicated to your tank? If so what are your plans for water changes,frag tank,ATO system, wash sink,RO system and some type of work station for water testing and fragging? These are things you are going to want to design into your system to make your life easier.
If you have the room I would not put the sump under the tank. Your going to want easy access to all sides of the tank. Your sump is going to fill up fast with equipment like filter socks, carbon reactor, Phos reactor,skimmer,probes and nitrate reactor. Plus you can have trippkid set you up with nice receptacle board over your sump so you can control each piece of equip
Here is pic of my favorite tank room! This is weatherson's tank of the month April 08.
Your more than welcome to come over to my house and see my sump room. Bobby
If you have the room I would not put the sump under the tank. Your going to want easy access to all sides of the tank. Your sump is going to fill up fast with equipment like filter socks, carbon reactor, Phos reactor,skimmer,probes and nitrate reactor. Plus you can have trippkid set you up with nice receptacle board over your sump so you can control each piece of equip
Here is pic of my favorite tank room! This is weatherson's tank of the month April 08.
Your more than welcome to come over to my house and see my sump room. Bobby
JDL
New member
the room is 10x12
I moved from myerstown to palmyra.
Right now i have a 90g
100lbs LR
2 toadstools
a few mushrooms
kole tang
2 false percs
sixline
2 firefish gobies
sargasm trigger
a bunch of snails/hermits
all of this is going into the 120 plus maybe a school of bangaii and 100lbs more of base rock
lighting is nova extreme pro
so yes a mix of things, mainly fish and a few softies. Then maybe i'll venture into some other types of corals.
one of my slaves staining the stand
reeftard73
In Memoriam
Is it really your sump room if your display tanks are in there too?
JDL
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14633077#post14633077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by turbonegro
Is this room going to be dedicated to your tank? If so what are your plans for water changes,frag tank,ATO system, wash sink,RO system and some type of work station for water testing and fragging? These are things you are going to want to design into your system to make your life easier.
If you have the room I would not put the sump under the tank. Your going to want easy access to all sides of the tank. Your sump is going to fill up fast with equipment like filter socks, carbon reactor, Phos reactor,skimmer,probes and nitrate reactor. Plus you can have trippkid set you up with nice receptacle board over your sump so you can control each piece of equip
Here is pic of my favorite tank room! This is weatherson's tank of the month April 08.
Your more than welcome to come over to my house and see my sump room. Bobby
thanks for the suggestions, some of those i havent thought about.
Yes i probably have room to not have my sump under the tank. My RO/DI unit is in another section of the basement. I plan on running the DI line to the new room through the wall. For ATO i bought a small pump and some float valves that i can hook up to my controller.
I am more into fish than corals. At this point i doubt i'll be fragging anything.
A wash sink would be great, but sadly my sump pump is pretty far away.
turbonegro
Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14633144#post14633144 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reeftard73
Is it really your sump room if your display tanks are in there too?
If your display tank looks like your sump then its your sump room
