garrettm's 187g In-Wall Build

I am loving that I finally have some time on my hands.....

small hole...
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/476E4DCA-DAD2-409B-8D72-A2DEC456E83F.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/476E4DCA-DAD2-409B-8D72-A2DEC456E83F.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 476E4DCA-DAD2-409B-8D72-A2DEC456E83F.jpg"/></a>


BIG HOLE!

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/0CE57DD3-D08A-4D10-8664-187A6FD96CC3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/0CE57DD3-D08A-4D10-8664-187A6FD96CC3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0CE57DD3-D08A-4D10-8664-187A6FD96CC3.jpg"/></a>
 
The demo continued last night. After measuring I realized I am going to have to have to move a couple studs out to accomodate the tank so that mean more drywall cutting. This time I went all the way to the corner wall.

I also found my water line and plan on running some new copper piping from the corner to the end of the cut going along the gray wall. THis is where I will put in a diy service sink/workbench for drip acclimation, frag cutting, and drainage for water changes and RO/DI waste water. I will also connect my RO/DI here.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/EC5CFCE7-8C87-43F9-816A-FB09DF0B306C.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/EC5CFCE7-8C87-43F9-816A-FB09DF0B306C.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo EC5CFCE7-8C87-43F9-816A-FB09DF0B306C.jpg"/></a>

found this whole piping interesting....don't know what the previous owner was doing but it looks weird, haha.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/7CFB5E34-4D63-4CC9-BA76-4514204CF10E.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/7CFB5E34-4D63-4CC9-BA76-4514204CF10E.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7CFB5E34-4D63-4CC9-BA76-4514204CF10E.jpg"/></a>
 
With the help off my dad we finished up the wall plumbing to supply the service sink and RO/DI. I also decided on a more permanent layout plan for the frag tank, service sink, and mixing barrels which I will be staking. Pics of that setup to come.

We were initially planning on doing a lot less fittings but we assumed there were some interesting reducers and fittings somewhere in the wall because we were unable to move the pipe up at all to fit in a simple tee. Everything turned out well anyways.

We almost had a huge problem though. When we started making my cut on the line and about three quarters of the way through we realized no one had shut off the water yet! Almost had a very wet afternoon.

Next steps are to cover up the dry wall (which I will eventually cover with gray fiberglass reinforced panel, FRP) and install a GFI to the existing line on the wall.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/D6721882-43C2-4577-8EAD-01E5A0E8B4F2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/D6721882-43C2-4577-8EAD-01E5A0E8B4F2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D6721882-43C2-4577-8EAD-01E5A0E8B4F2.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/A5DB9246-3A00-42C1-8B1E-01F9D8231249.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/A5DB9246-3A00-42C1-8B1E-01F9D8231249.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo A5DB9246-3A00-42C1-8B1E-01F9D8231249.jpg"/></a>
 
CrookedStick, glad to have you following along :)

Update:

Below is my initial plan for the system layout.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/00CECA82-D6A1-4F96-B21E-D0DA5B529BE0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/00CECA82-D6A1-4F96-B21E-D0DA5B529BE0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 00CECA82-D6A1-4F96-B21E-D0DA5B529BE0.jpg"/></a>

Starting on the wall to the left of the display tank a (which is a little out of the picture) I will have all of my electrical. I will be running two new 20amp lines down this wall. It's probably a little overkill but would rather have options in the future.

I have laid out the sump and return pump under the tank. The sump you see pictured is a tank that was given to me by a friend but since I would have to cut out the overflow I think I might start from scratch and build my own. This also gives me an excuse to do another DIY :)

Working around the corner the next piece of equipment will be the service sink with a hospital tank mounted above at eye level. (see the mini electrical project below)

To the right of the service sink is the frag tank, below the frag tank is the refugium (another tank my friend gave me, will have to extend a baffle on this one), and then the RO/DI and salt water mixing station. I was initially planning on stacking these in the but when I was moving them around I set one next to the other and it seemed to just fit. I wasn't even thinking of this obvious orientation until I did that. It's funny how stuck I can get on an idea and the easier solutions seem to be blocked out.
 
In planning for the hospital tank I got to do my first little electrical project. I wanted to have a two outlet receptacle controlled by a switch that would sit right next to it in a two gang box. This way I can control a pump, air stone, and heater in the hospital tank with the flip of a switch. I'm not electrical savvy and the problem was this was in the middle of a line going down the wall feeding other receptacles.

This is the closest diagram I could find (which I think is for a half hot) so I followed except made two modifications. I didn't break the tab because I wanted to supply power to the bottom receptacle and I didn't continue the circuit through the bottom receptacle to continue down the line. My understanding of this could all be wrong but it worked! haha

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/Electrical.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/Electrical.png" border="0" alt=" photo Electrical.png"/></a>

I first broke out the old 1 gang metal box which got a little messy. Then I had had my wires to work with.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/49346865-AC5D-44E3-81F2-6335DC669201.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/49346865-AC5D-44E3-81F2-6335DC669201.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 49346865-AC5D-44E3-81F2-6335DC669201.jpg"/></a>

I added a new 2 gang box by screwing into the stud. My girlfriend was hosting her friendsgiving at my house at the time and midway through the project I was pleasantly surprised to receive my first thanksgiving meal!

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/ACAD1099-325D-47C4-8F54-4D2092913949.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/ACAD1099-325D-47C4-8F54-4D2092913949.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo ACAD1099-325D-47C4-8F54-4D2092913949.jpg"/></a>

The finished outlet and switch!!
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/7FEA084A-866B-4A6D-B4CC-126EB6183FCE.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/7FEA084A-866B-4A6D-B4CC-126EB6183FCE.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7FEA084A-866B-4A6D-B4CC-126EB6183FCE.jpg"/></a>
 
Slight update:

Been doing more thinking and "black friday" buying than building lately. Just picked up this lumber today to build all three stands (display, frag tank, and water change station). You can also see the header I will be using on the right. I haven't done much wood working at all before so this should be interesting....

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/455E0AF4-1BB8-409E-999E-3E60705180EB.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/455E0AF4-1BB8-409E-999E-3E60705180EB.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 455E0AF4-1BB8-409E-999E-3E60705180EB.jpg"/></a>
 
Looks great, not sure if you had decided on the pump yet. But I was in a similar situation with my build. I ended up going with the hh/bar hybrid gold. When you crank the flow back it can actually put out better flow on less or equal wattage to the dart. However if you need the flow it's always there. That way future expansion of the system is easier (more or bigger reactors, adding another frag tank, etc)
 
justshoe said:
Looks great, not sure if you had decided on the pump yet. But I was in a similar situation with my build. I ended up going with the hh/bar hybrid gold. When you crank the flow back it can actually put out better flow on less or equal wattage to the dart. However if you need the flow it's always there. That way future expansion of the system is easier (more or bigger reactors, adding another frag tank, etc)
Click to expand...

Hey justshoe, I actually did decide to go with the barracuda gold pump planning on restricting the flow like you suggested. Is that working will for you?

Great point by the way, who knows when you might have the itch for bigger reactors or more tanks on the system.
 
Just a quick aside. I suppose it is impossible to change the title of my thread but this is now a 225 (60x36x24) build thanks to earlier suggestions by fellow reefers here on RC.


The reason I bring this up is because this last week I went to finally order my tank only to realize that LeeMar of Southern California has shut down there tank making operations. Now I am in the middle of the quoting process again and should be making a decision by the end of the month pending all quotes come back. Right now I am leaning towards Visio but we will see.

Build Update:

I spent a lot of time in a dusty attic yesterday running my electrical and ethernet to the tank. I used a 50ft ethernet cable to run from my router to garage. I also installed 2 dedicated 20 amp breakers for the tank. I ran 12-2 wire to what will be two dedicated outlets. I haven't had the chance to hook any of this up yet, but I am just happy that I don't have to go in the attic again!

Unfortunately I had to cut into the drywall above the box to run these.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/A28AB83E-8CEA-42BE-AA14-93E05E1D2AAB.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/A28AB83E-8CEA-42BE-AA14-93E05E1D2AAB.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo A28AB83E-8CEA-42BE-AA14-93E05E1D2AAB.jpg"/></a>

The lines running down from the attic:
Yellow- 2 lines from 20 am breakers
Blue - Ethernet
White and Silver - to an outlet right below the tank that I had to reroute.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/4E12B4DF-9FBB-43D7-BB26-4FA1897C90BA.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/4E12B4DF-9FBB-43D7-BB26-4FA1897C90BA.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4E12B4DF-9FBB-43D7-BB26-4FA1897C90BA.jpg"/></a>

And a little teaser. Got my Skimmer in the mail yesterday! Anyone care to take a guess?

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/2364A745-CBAE-406E-B502-384929894554.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/2364A745-CBAE-406E-B502-384929894554.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2364A745-CBAE-406E-B502-384929894554.jpg"/></a>
 
Update!

So I got a chance during the holidays to get a lot done! It started with building my sump. A friend of mine has a fabrication shop and works will acrylic all the time so I was so excited when he told me to come by on one of my off days to build the sump. My plans for the sump were to have a total dimension of around 48x23x15 and have three sections. It turned out spectacular! Below are some pictures of the progress and the finished product.

The first step after cutting and smoothing the edges with a router were to bond the ends to the side.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/B97D7C9A-29AE-41FD-9B65-9A519105F45D.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/B97D7C9A-29AE-41FD-9B65-9A519105F45D.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B97D7C9A-29AE-41FD-9B65-9A519105F45D.jpg"/></a>

Next we put in the baffles.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/CE1CC303-F0FC-4AF1-B208-CD7E824C6FDB.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/CE1CC303-F0FC-4AF1-B208-CD7E824C6FDB.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo CE1CC303-F0FC-4AF1-B208-CD7E824C6FDB.jpg"/></a>

After the baffles we made the filter sock holder out of white acrylic and bonded to the sides. The next two pictures are after the other side was bonded.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/1C8E3E96-0120-450E-ABA5-DB33634E9E9C.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/1C8E3E96-0120-450E-ABA5-DB33634E9E9C.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1C8E3E96-0120-450E-ABA5-DB33634E9E9C.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/8A672007-D1A2-4008-B21D-616ABE936039.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/8A672007-D1A2-4008-B21D-616ABE936039.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8A672007-D1A2-4008-B21D-616ABE936039.jpg"/></a>

We let sit over night then routed off the excess, smoothed the edges, and inserted a panel for the bulkheads coming from the display line and frag/refugium line.

This is the finished product!

The first section will be the filters socks and should eliminate all bubbles going to the second. The second section will house the skimmer. The third section will hold three media reactors; one for biopellets and the other two for carbon and gfo. The last section will also hold probes, top off, water change lines,heaters, and eventually dosing lines.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/4EA40BE0-5C0A-4989-9B24-C256B08D1CC6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/4EA40BE0-5C0A-4989-9B24-C256B08D1CC6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4EA40BE0-5C0A-4989-9B24-C256B08D1CC6.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/019059C0-6F3F-4D3A-8859-31EA9A747E3D.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/019059C0-6F3F-4D3A-8859-31EA9A747E3D.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 019059C0-6F3F-4D3A-8859-31EA9A747E3D.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/A2631793-C096-4E60-8F01-F2A183F1B453.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/A2631793-C096-4E60-8F01-F2A183F1B453.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo A2631793-C096-4E60-8F01-F2A183F1B453.jpg"/></a>
 
I ended up going with Skimz Skimmer (SL253 Leopard) and media reactors. The design looks great to me on both products but we will see how they perform when I get them up and running. This is a show of my initial thoughts for the orientation of the equipment.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/50E31CBE-7CE2-491F-9CEB-56BB7FEEA39D.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/50E31CBE-7CE2-491F-9CEB-56BB7FEEA39D.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 50E31CBE-7CE2-491F-9CEB-56BB7FEEA39D.jpg"/></a>
 
I also had a chance to frame out the tank today. My dad came over and helped me out with the project. I started by painting all of the lumber with Killz 2 as a primer and then with some white semi gloss paint. The remaining lumber I will used to build the two other stands.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/A01A0B3C-47FD-4074-BB5B-3EF62CE418C1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/A01A0B3C-47FD-4074-BB5B-3EF62CE418C1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo A01A0B3C-47FD-4074-BB5B-3EF62CE418C1.jpg"/></a>

There is still a lot of work ahead but I feel like this is a huge step in the right direction.

I unfortunately haven't ordered my tank yet because of the recent situation with leemar. My current options are to go with Visio or Elite Aquatics. Visio is about $300 more but I have heard from a couple sources that they have better builds. Had anyone here heard of either manufacturer or would have recommendations?

A couple things I am considering are.

1) Visio would be able to do recessed eurobracing however Elite Aquatics can't.
2) Because of the 3 foot width of the tank, both manufactures said they can either do bracing around the entire perimeter without a gap in the back or have two braces spanning front to back with a 24" opening in the center of the back panel for the overflow. I am still undecided what I would want here because I am worried about light penetration and accessibility with the panels installed however want that gap in the back to clean, adjust the overflow as needed.

Any thoughts?
 
Progress!!

90% of the drywall is up. I bought two sheets of 5/8" because this is in the garage but it didn't have enough for the section that I framed out for above the tank.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/AACBF7C6-7E37-4E80-971B-5660417358BC.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/AACBF7C6-7E37-4E80-971B-5660417358BC.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AACBF7C6-7E37-4E80-971B-5660417358BC.jpg"/></a>

Mud! unfortunately not fiji mud.....yet http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/images/smilies/spineyes.gif


<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/FD7C4B9D-BFE8-454C-A0B1-94AD2A4426EB.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/FD7C4B9D-BFE8-454C-A0B1-94AD2A4426EB.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FD7C4B9D-BFE8-454C-A0B1-94AD2A4426EB.jpg"/></a>
 
Thanks bpcardona and lluv24!

Just finished framing and mudding the overhang above the tank. You can see it in the top of the picture. I'm so glad I decided to do this because it frames out the tank very nicely. I will also be hanging my lighting rack from here.

<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/5BAD7232-EC8C-4D8F-9AC9-F8D98A86FACB.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/5BAD7232-EC8C-4D8F-9AC9-F8D98A86FACB.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5BAD7232-EC8C-4D8F-9AC9-F8D98A86FACB.jpg"/></a>

Just one more coat of mud to finish everything, some painting, and then it's on to the stand build!
 
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