215G In Wall Build

[Louis]

A home just isn't a home without an aquarium. I always wanted to have a tank in a wall so when the opportunity presented itself I just had to do it. This is my photo journal of how I ruined a perfectly good load bearing wall.

I chose a wall between my garage and living room for my 215G Oceanic Tank. My first obstacle was to remove the electrical panel which was conveniently located on said wall and relocate it to an adjacent mud room. I am a DIY'er but I left this one to the pro's. After the box was moved I began the teardown.

Because the wall was load bearing I had to reinforce the ceiling joists before installing the header.

With the ceiling support in place I cut the 2x4 studs for the header.

The header support.

A header is easy to build, I used two 2x10's sandwhiching a piece of 1/2" Plywood for proper thickness. This makes the header rest flush with the 2x4 studs.

The header was then installed.

 

[Louis]

The support braces removed.

We then completed the framing for the tank.

Building the stand came next. We chose to use 2x4's for the rest of the construction.
First the left and right side.

Then the back with half a leg for support.

A finished leg.

And finally the stand has support. The bottom piece is for the sub floor.

 

[Louis]

Should be spacious.

A little sheet rock, some paint, an aquarium, and BAM!

Now where getting somewhere. Time for the viewing area in the living room.

I didn't like any of the trim at the local home center so I decided to make it myself out of 1x6 hardwood, I believe it was cherry. After some careful routing we end up with this.

Now back to the business end of the project; a little more paint and some of the equipment installed.

The front was given a faux finish to make the wood look rustic, the pictures really don't look anything like the real thing, but you get the idea.

I'll post updates as they happen.

Enjoy!

Louis

 

[saltycreefer]

Nice job so far!

 

[Cody Ray]

So much so fast!

 

[zmovegolf]

Great looking project!!!

 

[Nanomaniac]

Looks good. Can't wait to see how this tank turns out.

 

[matthew112687]

Looking good so far. Keep the pictures coming!!

 

[hatfielj]

Thanks for all the pics. It looks nice!

 

[Louis]

Design Update:

The refugium will be designed to fit in the space to the left of the 215g. They will be 30G Long aquariums plumbed in to the main system.

The aquascaping will look something like this from the top down

Hopefully I'll have some pics of the real thing this weekend.

Enjoy!

Louis

 

[t-bone2]

man that looks great good luck

 

[fisheebill]

Can't wait to see more. Good luck!

 

[Z-Man07]

Louis,
What program are you using to draw your pictures? I have been playing a bit with SketchUp and it's more technical than I need. I can draw a picture on paper in half the time, but I wanted to do something that I can post electronically. Maybe I should just take a photo of my drawing!!!

Thanks,
Jay

 

[Louis]

I sketched that in Adobe Illustrator. Didn't feel like breaking out a CAD program for a quick mock up.

HTH

 

[asmodeus]

I Like It :smokin:

 

[clekchau]

very cool documentation

 

[alien9168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8687057#post8687057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clekchau
very cool documentation

i definatly agree

definatly following this thread!

 

[Louis]

Updates:

Some of the rock work has been completed. Here's the start of the aquascaping:

First step is to select nice stackable rock and drill holes into them

Time to start stacking

With the support rod in place

Reposition for sturdyness and secure

 

[Louis]

Cut supports to length

Some finished columns

And finally some shots of it in the tank.
Left Side

Right Side

Front Shot

Angled View

More to come, stay tuned!

Louis

 

[little x]

looking really nice. i am planning to build a wall tank my self in the futur