Anyone here done an in-wall tank?

[Natterjak]

It looks like I may have the opportunity to do an in-wall tank for my new 180g - has anyone ever done anything like this themselves? I'm curious to know roughly how much something like this would cost. It's an existing wall, with a room behind it that would be a dedicated fish room - I think I'll need to run electricity to it too. If anyone has any experience, I'd love to hear some thoughts on the process and what's involved.

By the same token, if I do this, I will have a stand and canopy for sale, so if anyone is looking for a stand/canopy for a 180/210, let me know. It's made by Angelo's Custom Cabinetry, and unfortunately, it's already built and I've put a deposit down, so if I can't use it, I'll need to sell it.

It's a euro-style, black lacquer finish, flush doors on the front (both canopy and stand). Stand measures 72"L x 24"W x 36"H, and canopy is 23"H (it's 15" to the top, then there is an 8" facade to hide ballasts, etc.).

I should know within a month what my plans are going to be.

 

[Sparkss]

Weatherson has a fantastic thread for an in-wall tank build, from beginning to end, including structural issues (like dealing with load bearing walls, etc).

You will definitely need to take electrical and plumbing into account, since you will likely need to move one or both of them to allow the in wall setup.

We are actually working towards an in wall setup, working on clearing the "target wall" so that I can strip the sheetrock and assess the structural and utility work required. (that was the purpose of our recent sump upgrade and prop tank rebuild/relocation).

 

[Natterjak]

Yeah, I have no idea what's currently inside that wall. It was previously a wall between the family room and a tandem garage, and that part of the garage was converted to a small bedroom, but there's no electricity in that room. We'll have to get electricity there for sure.

I'm reading Weatherson's thread right now.

 

[Sparkss]

his thread is very informative.. a definite must read for those planning an in wall setup

If it used to be a garage wall then it will also be a firebreak. Be prepared for plywood and/or heavier insulation behind that sheetrock.

As for electricity, you most likley already do and just don't know it. If there are any outlets or switches on the inside wall (the side of that garage wall inside the house), then there are electric lines in that wall. Since according to Code there is supposed to be an outlet every 10' (if memory serves... been a while though, so I could be off by a foot or so), then only the smallest of walls would not have an outlet somewhere on it. You need to think of the wall as an entity, including what is on both sides and also in the middle (IE: plumbing going to a bathroom upstairs, for example). You won't really know until you take the sheetrock down.

 

[Natterjak]

Found out that the wall actually wasn't a garage wall, but a wall that was put up in the middle of the family room by the previous owner. It wasn't up to code, so there's no outlet on that wall. Makes things a lot simpler I think!

 

[plankton]

Yeah, check out Weatherson or Big Red's threads - both on cvreefers.com

e.g.

Big Red's 380 in-wall project

Scott

 

[Sparkss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7424447#post7424447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Natterjak
Found out that the wall actually wasn't a garage wall, but a wall that was put up in the middle of the family room by the previous owner. It wasn't up to code, so there's no outlet on that wall. Makes things a lot simpler I think!

Well, at least you know it is not a load bearing wall then, which does make things a bit simplier. If yours is a single story house, then getting electric to it is a breeze. If it is a 2 story house, then it is a bit trickier (but far from impossible).

 

[Natterjak]

It's a two-story - there are actually existing outlets in that room (I had thought there weren't), just not in that particular wall. I think I'm still going to need to run electric to that room - probably one or two dedicated 20 amp circuits? The main panel is in the garage, which is adjacent to that room.

Thanks for the link Scott! Going to read BigRed's thread now.