150g In-Wall Build Log

[builderguy]

Hello all,

In the interest of sharing and because I love to look at similiar threads I am posting a brief history of my new in-wall aquarium.

A few months ago I bought a new home with my girlfriend in West Sacramento and we decided it would be great to go from the 120g reef I have to a 150 custom acrylic inwall.

We decided on the 150 because we were restricted on width to 48" due to constraints in where we were putting it. I wanted 30" high and I wanted acrylic for ease of drilling.

Here is a brief photo history. I'll get into equipment later.

The top of the stand

The new Stand

The Opening

Tank in place

I'll give more details later as work progresses and show how the "fish room" on the other side went together along with equipment

 

[buttons buster]

Wow looks good so far.

 

[builderguy]

Here's the equipment

Here's the equipment

Okay...now for the "fish room". The walk-in closet on the other side of the wall became the equipment/fish room.

Here's the back of the tank as you enter the room:

Here is the "nerve center". My aquacontroller and DC4 and 8, etc.:

Here's my attempt at being "organized"

My "hi-tech" dosing system (2-liter bottles hooked to aqualifters controlled by my Aquacontroller) LOL

Here's another "front of the tank shot":

IMG]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/builderguy/Front.jpg[/IMG]

Next post will be some shot's of what's in the tank.

 

[yoboyjdizz]

looks good. Got alot going on there. Can't wait to see more pictures.

 

[TeeLapia]

So what are you doing with you 120g?

 

[builderguy]

I already sold the 120 to bored4long.

 

[bored4long]

Its collecting dust in my garage. I keep going back and forth between fixing up the existing stand or building a new one from scratch, so its just sitting there neglected until I decide.

 

[builderguy]

Finished Pics

Finished Pics

Here are some pics of the finished product....finally!

IMG]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/builderguy/IMG_0984.jpg[/IMG]

 

[MrMikeB]

Absolutely stunning... great work!

 

[mpoletti]

Very nice Tom. Is that valonia?

 

[bored4long]

Tom, that is amazing. Fantastic job! What wood and stain did you use for the facing? I'm looking to achieve a similar color in my finished stand: kind of a dark chocolate.

I particularly like the clam planter in front. Very appropriate. But I think that end table would drive me nuts as it would get in my way of getting up close to the tank.

 

[Tilmo2180]

Very nice, Sweet monti's too. Great choice on the wood, looks great!

 

[builderguy]

Thanks guys. Yes, it's Valonia...they get HUGE in my tank.

The wood is maple. The stain is "Rosewood" and I used 3 coats to get it that dark, then 3 coats of polyurethane over that.

 

[WarrenG]

Mahogany is a nice wood because it will stain to very rich colors and tolerates moisture pretty well-the reason it's often the choice for real wood exterior doors.

Hughes Hardwoods off of South Sunrise is the place to find it.

...And that's nice work Tom.

My 145g is built into a 45 degree wall at the corner of our living room and the closet access behind is very nice to have.

 

[builderguy]

Some Interior Shots

Some Interior Shots

Here's some of the stuff in the tank

Toadstools:

Fungia:

Frogspawn:

Flowerpot & GSP:

Clam:

Cat's Eye

Bubble Coral:

Blue Zoos:

Blue Sponge:

 

[yoboyjdizz]

Looks good! You going to add anymore fish?

 

[builderguy]

I've got three Bangaii Cardinal Fish in my QT now