Going inwall...front access ideas?

[110galreef]

i am planning a 60l x 36d x 24h tank. Considering 42"d too.

anyway even with 36"d i may not be able to reach the front bottom of the tank. With 42..doubtful. Any one know if it is reachable?

So anyone know of ideas or have pics to have front access yet stilll have a very clean front wall side? Or if I need the access?

Thanks

 

[julie180]

I saw a guy put on a scuba mask to get to the front of his tank once. A little dramatic, but I guess if you have to.

 

[110galreef]

This tank is a liitle small for getting into!

 

[E46er]

you could put cabinet style doors above the tank...................

 

[110galreef]

I don't think I want that look? Plus if i do I think I'd want it one solid front piece acces, so no light shines out thru separate sections.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

These things work pretty well. You can add an extenision if needed.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13942

 

[sullyfish]

Here is a link to a tank by SERVO with front access provided by an oak panel that opens with a piano hinge and hidden very well. I happen to b e doing my 180 inwall in a similar way.

go to page three for pics/description

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=574147

 

[Foxface210]

I have an in-wall tank and it's next to impossible to reach the bottom without tongs of some sort. I can tell you all the things I would have done different...

Are you thinking a picture frame look or cabinet doors like what was mentioned above?

I have the cabinet doors and if I could do it again, I would have made a removable section above the front of the tank. Access from the back isn't bad but Murphy's law says you'll need access to the front every time you want to do something in the tank.

 

[cilyjr]

here is what i did. it is a 180 and the lights are on tracks and can be pulled forward into the finished for rear access or back into the fish room for frontal access

 

[cilyjr]

Plus if i do I think I'd want it one solid front piece acces, so no light shines out thru separate sections.

i solved this problem by tacking a small piece of 1x2 to one of the doors. this door needs to be closed first. you are right to be concerned about light bleed through solving that took some thought. light will bleed through the slightest cracks so the doors need to be tight fitting. i also tacked a felt strip around the doors to stop the last little bit i missed

 

[110galreef]

Here is a link to a tank by SERVO with front access provided by an oak panel that opens with a piano hinge and hidden very well. I happen to b e doing my 180 inwall in a similar way.

go to page three for pics/description

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=574147

Man that is awesome....Maybe just the ticket!

Thanks for the find!

 

[110galreef]

here is what i did. it is a 180 and the lights are on tracks and can be pulled forward into the finished for rear access or back into the fish room for frontal access

That looks really good to. Do you like the tank being set back a little like that. I was originally planning making the front of the tank flush with the wall infront. Not the back, However I have seen a few now that are set back in and like those as well.

 

[cilyjr]

i like that too. good idea on his part

 

[cilyjr]

That looks really good to. Do you like the tank being set back a little like that. I was originally planning making the front of the tank flush with the wall infront. Not the back, However I have seen a few now that are set back in and like those as well.

it was really important for me to do that on advice from a friend that has an inwall. i wanted to be framed more like a window casing rather then a picture. i see the tank more as a small window into their world. not to mention it is a good place to set a wine glass when looking in!

 

[kharmaguru]

Servo's tank is pretty much the only way you could have front access without obviousness (trimwork is the access door). I have no front access on my inwall and it is a PITA at times. I have tongs and the long Kent scrapers (35") and lets not forget an algae magnet so I manage to keep the front glass nice and clean. A 36" or 42" deep tank is a PITA to manage (not to mention light) even when it's not in the wall...

 

[110galreef]

Thanks. Keep idea or pics comming as I need to get an idea of how to trim it as well!

 

[110galreef]

Servo's tank is pretty much the only way you could have front access without obviousness (trimwork is the access door). I have no front access on my inwall and it is a PITA at times. I have tongs and the long Kent scrapers (35") and lets not forget an algae magnet so I manage to keep the front glass nice and clean. A 36" or 42" deep tank is a PITA to manage (not to mention light) even when it's not in the wall...

Yeah i really don't want to have to try and clean the acrylic from the back all the time. Yet want a very clean front look w/o knowing there is a huge access panel!

I am leaning towards an DIY LED for lighting and am also probably gonna sttick w/ 36" width as I think I have figured out lighting it effectivley w/ out going overboard on LEDS... 42" will just make it that much harder....

I think 120 3w LED will suffice. I can always add an extra 24 later if needed!

 

[Foxface210]

Thanks. Keep idea or pics comming as I need to get an idea of how to trim it as well!

What does the rest of the house have for trim? I matched mine to what was around my fireplace in the same room.

 

[110galreef]

What does the rest of the house have for trim? I matched mine to what was around my fireplace in the same room.

Currently it will be going into the basement....of which is just drywall & painted. I have yet to finish staining the concrete floor or add any trim so we can do about whatever.....

Any closer shots of the edges or info on ur top access?

 

[110galreef]

One idea I have had was to put some sort of thin metal frame where the access hole would go and the creat faux panel that would be attaced via rare earth magents to the steel lip. The faux panel would have the molding or trim so easily remove and when installed the edges would be covered......