Built in the wall tanks

[lakerat37]

I am doing my research to design a creative way to display my show tanks (fresh and salt) "built in to the wall". The wall I want to use will divide a small storage room and a den/office. The storage room will be my new fishroom. I am looking for any advice from those of you that have done this and I am especially looking for photos of both the front and back of the tanks.

I believe I have considered everything I need in the fishroom (electrical, water, air, drainage, humidity, insulation, HVAC), but now I am looking for design ideas from the front...especially how to trim out the tanks (2-90's, 1-150gal). The house has a country craftsman theme with lots of wood trim.

I have worked with aquariums for some time now, but I have never tried this before.

Thanks for any and all help, Ken

 

[kraash]

I think the most valuable thing i could suggest is to make sure you have display side access the the top of the tank. This makes cleaning, moving coral/rock sooo much easier because you can see what you are working with.

I built my 525 with 4 cabinet doors on top and 4 on bottom, I used oak for the whole surround and trim. I am loading photo bucket up, will have a couple pics later.

 

[Saboral]

I am getting ready to do the same thing myself except my setup will have three tanks two 500s and a 150. One 500 will be a Chesapeake Bay Tank, One 500 will be my Reef Tank, and the 150 will be my Amazon Chiclid tank. I am in the same predicament as I can do all the rough work and build the fish room the way I want, I will however be calling up some carpenter friends who will come over and trim everything out for me over a couple cases of beer and some lunch. My advice get some carpenter friends or friends who have carpenter friends because heavy trim style homes like mine and your are not the easiest to work on if you don't have the experience. You could go as simple as using preformed trim from lowes that you stain, miter, and mount or you could get some rough cut lumber, plain and shape it, stain it, seal it, and mount it.

 

[spreston]

I agree w/ kraash, access from the front for the most part the top of the tank is a must. While I did make access to mine for feeding it is not nearly large enough to work in the tank, working from the back is a pain.

 

[jh2pizza]

I have the same type of set up you are planning on. The biggest challenge I have had is Heat, Heat and Heat. My room the Back of the tank is in is 4 x 12. I have a small 60 cfm fan in the ceiling but not nearly enough. I would suggest a through the wall exhaust fan at least 150 cfm. I would also make sure the drywall is is Green board or the new Mold resistant board and use a very good kitchen and bathroom paint with Mildew resistance. I covered my walls with FRP panels. I love it. Never have to worry about mold or moisture.

 

[kraash]

I made the doors from scratch with rough sawed red oak, plained, and mitered, used red oak plywood for the surround, and simple oak door molding for the trim. All wood including the door was stained and then sealed with 4 coats of poly. I also made the side trim pieces removeable so I could get an algea mag. in close to the sides. The trim work was my favorite part of the build, you get a good perspective of the finished product.

 

[moocow]

sweet setup!
Yes front access is KEY!
you DO NOT want to have to do everything from the front.
What a pain!!
Make sure you leave space on the sides as well so that the glass can be cleaned....
I did not. **curses**

here's a few pics of mine during the build process.
The tank was originally a Freshwater, but I am currently converting it, so now I'll have a chance to make adjustments.

I cannot stress enough what a difference it makes to have a perfectly square and level stand.
If it's unlevel the water will be higher/lower on the ends of front/back. If the shelf isn't square you end up setting the tank all weird.

And support!
You figure plain old freshwater weighs about 8lbs per gallon, then you add rock/sand/equipment possibly.
And you can hit a thousand pounds quick.

If you're worried about tolerances as far as levelness and squareness you may consider "framing" around the tank.
just like Kraash's tank above. ^^

It's not at all difficult. Just take your time and plan it out.

 

[am3gross]

if you are going to have front access what is the point of having it inwall.... ? if you ant front acces then put it on a stand with a canopy and drill holes threw the wall for your sump.

in my opionion the reason for an in wall is so you dont see light and everything else threw the cracks of the openings.

 

[moocow]

if you trim it right. There shouldn't be any cracks.
And just for that "picture frame" look.

 

[lakerat37]

Awesome !!!!

Man this is great I really appreciate the help and advice! I can't wait to get started.

KRAASH, I printed your setup to show my trim-man...love the final product.

MOOCOW, I had'nt thought about something like that, but I have a perfect spot for just something similar. The wife really likes seahorses so maybe I get another tank out of the deal

The great thing about this project is that I am starting from scratch...we have not yet broke ground, so I get time to really think about what I want to do.

Keep the pictures coming!!!!!

Ken

 

[kraash]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11683730#post11683730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by am3gross
if you are going to have front access what is the point of having it inwall.... ? if you ant front acces then put it on a stand with a canopy and drill holes threw the wall for your sump.

in my opionion the reason for an in wall is so you dont see light and everything else threw the cracks of the openings.

If you just have it on a stand with a canopy and do whatever with your plumbing, you are still going to be able to see cords, plumbing, and any thing else behind the tank. This why I did an in wall, also having a place to store everything and a counter to work on is awesome.
as moocow said, if the joints are tight, you will not see any light coming through and the tank looks like an expensive framed work of art