Clay's 375g in wall build

[Clay]

So, I started this build a few months ago, but I figured I would get some progress before posting - nothing worse than a build thread that goes months without progress.

I got a good bit of inspiration from Drummerreef's thread, and his attention to detail is outstanding. Hopefully mine turns out half as good.

I got the tank a few months ago from Midwest Custom Aquariums. It was delivered to a friend's business (thanks Li of MFK) so I could make use of his loading dock. We loaded it into the back of my 4runner and I took it home.

And there it sat in my garage on some dollies

I had this tape on my wall for the better part of a year while I planned this out

This is the back side of that wall - the utility room. I bought some cheapo cabinets and a countertop to go in there. I'll end up putting a sink in and plumbing in my RO/DI.

So, I planned to build the stand into the wall and use the existing PT 2x4. I started down this path, and at first, I was just going to put the tank right against the drywall.

 

[Clay]

The more I thought about it, the less I liked that plan, so I removed the entire wall, added a header and studs, rerouted electrical, added a junction box, etc.

Ultimately, I didn't like the stand, so I went ahead and rebuilt it with PT on the base, kiln dried everywhere else.

I painted the inside with 3 coats of Drylok, and I plan to caulk around the inside edges of the base. I added a 3/4" layer of foam and it is level.

I opted to use backer board since it will likely have *some* contact with water.

I added a frame above the tank to support the backer board. I plan to do some sort of piano hinged doors in the area in the center. Anyway, that's where I'm at right now. I need to hang the rest of the backerboard, mud it, skim it, and work on the plumbing. I had a custom sump built that includes a refugium. It is 6'x2'x17" (LxWxH). I have 350lbs of dry rock from Marcorocks and TampaBaySaltwater. The plan for this tank is a relatively open area with an archway on the left, an island in the center, and a column on the right.

Updates as they happen.

 

[muttley000]

Great start, what are the tanks dims and what are you putting in it? How about the equipment list. I love reading these build threads!

 

[tsiklauss]

Wow what an awesome start! I foresee this becoming an epic build. Subscribed!

 

[svejil]

Hey Clay,

Looks great.

I am not sure if you are going with any kind of sand bed, but if you are, the only suggestion I would have (especially if your sandbed is 3" or deeper), is to frame the bottom of the tank just directly under the "surface" of your sandbed. I have 300 gal. see through picture frame wall tank. I am in the midst re-thinking the framing of the unit so that I can bring the woodwork up higher on the sandbed. The reason for this, is because the sandbed (even though white on surface) will show the nasty dark brown stuff in areas underneath the sandbed surface. Although this can periodically be siphoned, and cleaned, if your tank is flush mounted to the wall on one side, with a tank this size / deep -- you can trust me, it is hard to get to the bottom....especially if your access is from behind like mine. Just the same, this problem is solved by bringing the frame work up to just below the surface of your sandbed.

Let me know if this makes sense. FWIW -- mine is located centered above a long couch in the middle of the main living room, and looks through to the master bedroom.

SV

 

[Dustin1300]

Great looking tank. Tagging along as I'm planning for something large in a new house that I hopefully will be in by end of summer!

SUBSCRIBED:thumbsup:

 

[dzfish17]

Theres nothing like a good inwall build. I did mine a couple of yrs. ago and I love the way it came out. I will be following along.

Dave

 

[Rotknee]

The more I thought about it, the less I liked that plan, so I removed the entire wall, added a header and studs, rerouted electrical, added a junction box, etc...

I wish I had your skills. I would probably tear down the whole house trying to remove a single wall. What ever was left standing I'm sure I would burn down messin' with the wiring...lol. Nice work.:thumbsup:

Subscribed!

 

[d-man]

looks great, i did a similar one with my 800gal in wall.

 

[Clay]

Great start, what are the tanks dims and what are you putting in it? How about the equipment list. I love reading these build threads!

The tank is 96x30x30 and the sump is 72x24x17.
Equipment is relatively simple thus far:
-Reef Octopus 3000int (it is undersized, but it's on my list to upgrade. I bought it before I got this tank. I'll probably go with a 5000 when all is said and done)
-Dart return @ <5' head is around 3k. However, with a manifold and slow run into the refugium (a chamber in the sump), probably around 2800ish gph. Seems like a decent flow for a 375g to me. I had a Hammerhead, but 5kgph was going to be way too much.
-Hydor Koralia 1400 (3) (BigAls, black friday)
-MR1 media reactor - not sure what I'll run in there, but I have it if I decide.
-I need to purchase a controller, maybe a aqua jr?
-American DJ 8 port strip on the way from Amazon.
-150lbs of MarcoRocks dry rock
-200lbs of TampaBaySaltwater dry rock

Hey Clay,

Looks great.

I am not sure if you are going with any kind of sand bed, but if you are, the only suggestion I would have (especially if your sandbed is 3" or deeper), is to frame the bottom of the tank just directly under the "surface" of your sandbed. I have 300 gal. see through picture frame wall tank. I am in the midst re-thinking the framing of the unit so that I can bring the woodwork up higher on the sandbed. The reason for this, is because the sandbed (even though white on surface) will show the nasty dark brown stuff in areas underneath the sandbed surface. Although this can periodically be siphoned, and cleaned, if your tank is flush mounted to the wall on one side, with a tank this size / deep -- you can trust me, it is hard to get to the bottom....especially if your access is from behind like mine. Just the same, this problem is solved by bringing the frame work up to just below the surface of your sandbed.

Let me know if this makes sense. FWIW -- mine is located centered above a long couch in the middle of the main living room, and looks through to the master bedroom.

I thought long and hard about this. I am going with a relatively shallow sandbed, so I'm hoping to avoid the unsightly dark spots. I wanted to mount the tank flush with the wall, but I couldn't figure out a way to support it properly without overhanging by 1/2" (drywall thickness). I decided to recess the tank only 1/2", and this gave me a great opportunity to cover the edges of the acrylic. I'm using J-channel to edge the backer board, and I think it will give it enough of a finished look that I won't hate it.

I'd like to see your build!

looks great, i did a similar one with my 800gal in wall.

I'd love to see some pictures - did you do a build thread? I get so many ideas from looking at how other people do theirs.

 

[gabew]

I predict a great build thread and tank in your future...
Subscribed :thumbsup:

 

[Clay]

So, at some point, I knew I was going to do this.

 

[svejil]

Here is what I am talking about. I will have a carpenter re-work the frame this month to correct.

 

[Clay]

Love the angel and the golden puffer. I won't have a sandbed anywhere near that deep. It was a consideration of mine for sure.

Tonight I managed to convince my wife that SHE should get in the tank

 

[suds1421]

That's awesome! I'm working on my own in wall but it's only a 75, you have me beat

 

[Dave VG]

Subscribed

 

[Clay]

So, as I feared, I have been remiss in updating this thread, however, I've put a good bit of work into the tank lately, so I'm fairly close to pumping water. I will post up some more pics this evening.

 

[ms0099rg]

Nice !!!!!

 

[muttley000]

So, as I feared, I have been remiss in updating this thread, however, I've put a good bit of work into the tank lately, so I'm fairly close to pumping water. I will post up some more pics this evening.

Uh, we need pictures! Glad to see your wife is "in" to the project!:spin2: