garrettm's 187g In-Wall Build
- Thread starter garrettm
- Start date
garrettm
Member
garrettm
Member
Little Update.
Finished the bottom of the stand today where the sump will sit. I used 1/2" plywood and laminated the top with the same material as the top that holds the stand. The material is called Plastex and really easy to cut and work with. I believe it is a type of FRP.
This is the glue that I used along with a 1/4" notched trowel. I will eventually put this material along the vertical supports of the stand and add corner molding.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/67d0fac9-2c54-4e5b-8371-b43b1584a83f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/67d0fac9-2c54-4e5b-8371-b43b1584a83f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 67d0fac9-2c54-4e5b-8371-b43b1584a83f.jpg"/></a>
Full shot from the garage side.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/83b7aa26-3069-4f85-a385-9f7028dbfa0e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/83b7aa26-3069-4f85-a385-9f7028dbfa0e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 83b7aa26-3069-4f85-a385-9f7028dbfa0e.jpg"/></a>
Finished the bottom of the stand today where the sump will sit. I used 1/2" plywood and laminated the top with the same material as the top that holds the stand. The material is called Plastex and really easy to cut and work with. I believe it is a type of FRP.
This is the glue that I used along with a 1/4" notched trowel. I will eventually put this material along the vertical supports of the stand and add corner molding.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/67d0fac9-2c54-4e5b-8371-b43b1584a83f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/67d0fac9-2c54-4e5b-8371-b43b1584a83f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 67d0fac9-2c54-4e5b-8371-b43b1584a83f.jpg"/></a>
Full shot from the garage side.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/83b7aa26-3069-4f85-a385-9f7028dbfa0e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/83b7aa26-3069-4f85-a385-9f7028dbfa0e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 83b7aa26-3069-4f85-a385-9f7028dbfa0e.jpg"/></a>
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Your fathers look is priceless. Glad you got the tank on the stand.
garrettm
Member
Working with my dad is entertaining to say the least haha.
garrettm
Member
The last couple of days have been pretty slow. The garage has been a mess all week and work has been keeping me very busy, which is actually been really fun and challenging, however, it was definitely time to do a good clean in the middle of this project so that's what I have been doing the last couple of nights.
So now that I have a clean garage I did more thinking on the final layout of the whole system. The main decision I have been trying to come to is regarding the location of the hospital/quarantine tank and I think I have landed on the location above the service sink. There are a couple reasons for this 1) I would like to easily drain this tank at a moments notice and having it right above the sink will make that easy. 2) I am planning on running a dual peristaltic pump for automatic water changes. The plan is to have the "dirty" water run through the quarantine tank when I am running for quarantine. I will have a valve to switch this when I am using medication. This is the layout.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/3c0f9d2f-560f-43cf-805b-d581379b2b2b.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/3c0f9d2f-560f-43cf-805b-d581379b2b2b.png" border="0" alt=" photo 3c0f9d2f-560f-43cf-805b-d581379b2b2b.png"/></a>
The real life picture..... I will explain the arylic tanks next...
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/53ce7574-7808-4b94-b7a7-dac404475770.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/53ce7574-7808-4b94-b7a7-dac404475770.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 53ce7574-7808-4b94-b7a7-dac404475770.jpg"/></a>
So now that I have a clean garage I did more thinking on the final layout of the whole system. The main decision I have been trying to come to is regarding the location of the hospital/quarantine tank and I think I have landed on the location above the service sink. There are a couple reasons for this 1) I would like to easily drain this tank at a moments notice and having it right above the sink will make that easy. 2) I am planning on running a dual peristaltic pump for automatic water changes. The plan is to have the "dirty" water run through the quarantine tank when I am running for quarantine. I will have a valve to switch this when I am using medication. This is the layout.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/3c0f9d2f-560f-43cf-805b-d581379b2b2b.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/3c0f9d2f-560f-43cf-805b-d581379b2b2b.png" border="0" alt=" photo 3c0f9d2f-560f-43cf-805b-d581379b2b2b.png"/></a>
The real life picture..... I will explain the arylic tanks next...
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/53ce7574-7808-4b94-b7a7-dac404475770.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/53ce7574-7808-4b94-b7a7-dac404475770.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 53ce7574-7808-4b94-b7a7-dac404475770.jpg"/></a>
footyreefer
Member
Subscribed. Great build so far.
garrettm
Member
My friend gave me the two acrylic tanks you are seeing. One is a sump sitting on top of the acrylic tank with the overflow, sorry for the far away picture. I plan on re-purposing to be a cool little mangrove tank with some bangia cardinals.... I will need to make some cuts on the table saw to make the tank shorter and have it end at the first baffle from the right. Essentially this will be 19x14.5x9 tank. I will build a similar overflow to what is currently on the frag tank. This will also require building a new stand to accommodate the length for this tank and the width for the tank below.
The other tank will be modified and used as a +/- 40 gallon refugium/softy tank/anemone/I don't know yet/I'm dreaming. This is the tank with the black overflow and will will sit below the frag tank. I am going to remove the black overflow, plug the bottom, and do a similar overflow to the other tanks. These will all drain into the sump.
Lot's of work ahead!!!!
The other tank will be modified and used as a +/- 40 gallon refugium/softy tank/anemone/I don't know yet/I'm dreaming. This is the tank with the black overflow and will will sit below the frag tank. I am going to remove the black overflow, plug the bottom, and do a similar overflow to the other tanks. These will all drain into the sump.
Lot's of work ahead!!!!
garrettm
Member
Thanks footyreefer! I checked out your multiple tank build and it looks like a lot of fun! I think the idea of multiple tanks in one system is perfect to keep a variety species that all have different requirements. It's the best of all worlds!
footyreefer
Member
Thanks for looking at my build! I also have a 125 standard that I wish to upgrade and getting ideas and inspiration from builds like yours!
garrettm
Member
Quick and fun Update:
I haven't accomplished much in the last couple of weeks but I did get a chance to introduce the cat to the tank....this better not become a habit, he looks a little too comfortable up there/in there.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/9132b70b-18eb-459f-8ecd-a66adbcf7006.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/9132b70b-18eb-459f-8ecd-a66adbcf7006.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9132b70b-18eb-459f-8ecd-a66adbcf7006.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/28ff642c-a8fb-4317-b1f4-27f1941dd7d2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/28ff642c-a8fb-4317-b1f4-27f1941dd7d2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 28ff642c-a8fb-4317-b1f4-27f1941dd7d2.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/43628881-0591-4d7c-b8f1-06e9aa3026d4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/43628881-0591-4d7c-b8f1-06e9aa3026d4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 43628881-0591-4d7c-b8f1-06e9aa3026d4.jpg"/></a>
I really need to get some water in this thing and start taking pictures of fish and coral...haha:crazy1:
I haven't accomplished much in the last couple of weeks but I did get a chance to introduce the cat to the tank....this better not become a habit, he looks a little too comfortable up there/in there.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/9132b70b-18eb-459f-8ecd-a66adbcf7006.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/9132b70b-18eb-459f-8ecd-a66adbcf7006.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9132b70b-18eb-459f-8ecd-a66adbcf7006.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/28ff642c-a8fb-4317-b1f4-27f1941dd7d2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/28ff642c-a8fb-4317-b1f4-27f1941dd7d2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 28ff642c-a8fb-4317-b1f4-27f1941dd7d2.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/43628881-0591-4d7c-b8f1-06e9aa3026d4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/43628881-0591-4d7c-b8f1-06e9aa3026d4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 43628881-0591-4d7c-b8f1-06e9aa3026d4.jpg"/></a>
I really need to get some water in this thing and start taking pictures of fish and coral...haha:crazy1:
garrettm
Member
Update:
Unfortunately I had to spend yesterday installing a new water heater because mine had seen its last days. I did, however, have a chance earlier this week to start the building of the frag/mangrove lagoon/refugium tank.
By the way, I have been using this design by rocketengineer. I am sure most of you have seen this before and if not its definitely a good thread to check out.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/StandTemplate.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/StandTemplate.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo StandTemplate.jpg"/></a>
I started by planning all the cuts. This piles was for the bottom frame and the inner vertical pieces that keep the outer legs straight.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/cb0aee19-5b09-46ff-b0a1-9fbf63a0cbe1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/cb0aee19-5b09-46ff-b0a1-9fbf63a0cbe1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo cb0aee19-5b09-46ff-b0a1-9fbf63a0cbe1.jpg"/></a>
I will doubling up the top frame for strength, just need some more lumber. Next step is to finish the top with plywood and laminate.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/ee9d0920-1160-4664-820b-a6c099869d5e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/ee9d0920-1160-4664-820b-a6c099869d5e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo ee9d0920-1160-4664-820b-a6c099869d5e.jpg"/></a>
Unfortunately I had to spend yesterday installing a new water heater because mine had seen its last days. I did, however, have a chance earlier this week to start the building of the frag/mangrove lagoon/refugium tank.
By the way, I have been using this design by rocketengineer. I am sure most of you have seen this before and if not its definitely a good thread to check out.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/StandTemplate.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/StandTemplate.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo StandTemplate.jpg"/></a>
I started by planning all the cuts. This piles was for the bottom frame and the inner vertical pieces that keep the outer legs straight.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/cb0aee19-5b09-46ff-b0a1-9fbf63a0cbe1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/cb0aee19-5b09-46ff-b0a1-9fbf63a0cbe1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo cb0aee19-5b09-46ff-b0a1-9fbf63a0cbe1.jpg"/></a>
I will doubling up the top frame for strength, just need some more lumber. Next step is to finish the top with plywood and laminate.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/ee9d0920-1160-4664-820b-a6c099869d5e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/ee9d0920-1160-4664-820b-a6c099869d5e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo ee9d0920-1160-4664-820b-a6c099869d5e.jpg"/></a>
Reef_Paddy
New member
Subscribed! Soon to buy a house and an in-wall is my dream build. Every house we look at, the wife checks out the kitchen, I checkout the basement for a fish room and where I can put a 6ft in wall on the first floor. Needless to say we haven't haven't both agreed on the one yet! 
garrettm
Member
Subscribed! Soon to buy a house and an in-wall is my dream build. Every house we look at, the wife checks out the kitchen, I checkout the basement for a fish room and where I can put a 6ft in wall on the first floor. Needless to say we haven't haven't both agreed on the one yet!
How exciting! Good luck in your home search. You know you are a reefer when one of your requirements for a new house is room for a large in-wall reef.
The floor was the inaugural project to kick of the build! No worries, I am starting to forget a lot of things....I think, but I don't remember if I'm forgetful or not . :lolspin:
garrettm
Member
UPDATE!
Finished the whole framing and plywood top of the stand for the refugium, frag tank, and lagoon. I also ended up ordering a 24x20x11 tank to perfectly match the 48x24x11 frag tank. I have been obsessing over laminating everything so that will come next for this stand. This is a view of the layout sans one more tank that will sit below the frag and lagoon. I am thinking of just putting a standard 50 here to grow macro algae.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/cc04c84d-b29e-419a-b858-02fa105a18e2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/cc04c84d-b29e-419a-b858-02fa105a18e2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo cc04c84d-b29e-419a-b858-02fa105a18e2.jpg"/></a>
In other news..... I'm getting married!
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/1197be67-c9e2-4595-8ac5-e67928193445.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/1197be67-c9e2-4595-8ac5-e67928193445.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1197be67-c9e2-4595-8ac5-e67928193445.jpg"/></a>
Finished the whole framing and plywood top of the stand for the refugium, frag tank, and lagoon. I also ended up ordering a 24x20x11 tank to perfectly match the 48x24x11 frag tank. I have been obsessing over laminating everything so that will come next for this stand. This is a view of the layout sans one more tank that will sit below the frag and lagoon. I am thinking of just putting a standard 50 here to grow macro algae.
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/cc04c84d-b29e-419a-b858-02fa105a18e2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/cc04c84d-b29e-419a-b858-02fa105a18e2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo cc04c84d-b29e-419a-b858-02fa105a18e2.jpg"/></a>
In other news..... I'm getting married!
<a href="http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/gmitch72/media/In%20Wall/1197be67-c9e2-4595-8ac5-e67928193445.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd427/gmitch72/In%20Wall/1197be67-c9e2-4595-8ac5-e67928193445.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1197be67-c9e2-4595-8ac5-e67928193445.jpg"/></a>
garrettm
Member
Thanks Worm! I am going to gravity drain the 50g from there to the sump. when I measured I left about 3" for fall from the 50g to the sump and made this decision on the "standard" fall rate for drain piping of 1/4" per 10 feet. It's only about 12 feet so I left a lot of room for error.
Despite all of their marketing attempts, I didn't go to Jared's. I actually had a family referral for a 3rd generation jeweler in downtown San Diego. The guy I dealt with was great and personal. I was able to custom design the ring and he even made it for 16% under my original budget. Very happy with his work. (unfortunately, unlike this build which is probably 16% over budget.)
