Going inwall...front access ideas?

[Foxface210]

I'm obviously not a frequent poster on RC and I don't want to sidetrack your thread with my build thread but here's a link for you if you'd like to see how it was all done.
180 In-wall build

Here's the closest pic I have of the trim. I can snap some close ups if you want/need them for reference.

I have a 240 gal tall reef so this in wall was built as a FOWLR tank. The reason I mention the 240 is because it's deep and it is a total PITA to reach the bottom even with tongs. There's always something that can only be fixed by using your hands so my advice would be to stay clear of a really deep tank if you can. Don't get me wrong, I love my tanks but it is a pain to do anything near the bottom.

As for front access to the in-wall... I made four doors and I regret it. I like the look of it but access is a joke. The tank sits in the closet of the adjoining room so I have access from there but it always requires a ladder and patience. If I could do it over, I would have made the top portion of the tank, around the doors removable or put it on some type of piano hinge so the whole section could be lifted and I could have unrestricted access.

 

[110galreef]

how tall should the access opening be? 12" or bigger?

 

[Foxface210]

Think about the height of your upper body. If you really want to get up and over the top of the tank... it's going to need to be tall enough to accommodate your shoulder, head and part of your upper body. (Every 'body' is different so... )

The hard part is balancing aesthetics with function .

 

[110galreef]

True.....I guess I'll make cutous & see how hard it is to squeeze in! lol

 

[kharmaguru]

Foxface you could probably make the door partition attached to one of the doors so when you open both you have the whole space. Incredible pieces of LR btw...

 

[Foxface210]

Foxface you could probably make the door partition attached to one of the doors so when you open both you have the whole space. Incredible pieces of LR btw...

Thanks- I'm pretty cool with it and used to it now, plus I have the whole back of the tank is in the closet of the adjoining room so I can get in and out of the tank without a whole lot of trouble. The bad part is when your aquascaping and looking at it from the back and top, getting off the ladder, walking out of the room, down the hall and into the next room so you can see what it looks like from the front. Good idea for the OP though.

110galreef- Will you have unrestricted access to the back of the tank once you build it? I know you said you're working with a clean slate so I would consider bumping it out a few feet more from the fixed wall so you have room for other things. Shelves, additional room for equipment, etc. If you're going to use a chiller, you should consider how you're going to vent it so you don't heat up the tank area while you're trying to cool the tank itself.

 

[110galreef]

110galreef- Will you have unrestricted access to the back of the tank once you build it? I know you said you're working with a clean slate so I would consider bumping it out a few feet more from the fixed wall so you have room for other things. Shelves, additional room for equipment, etc. If you're going to use a chiller, you should consider how you're going to vent it so you don't heat up the tank area while you're trying to cool the tank itself.

Not sure i follow....."consider bumping it out a few more feet"?

I will have unrestricted access from behind the tank as well as one side. The other side will have a furnace restricting access from there. As for chiller..No plans as I will run LED's and assume I will not need it. Plus the tank is in the basement. I will run a dehumidifer as well as have returns in there. Not sure if I need to have an exhaust fan? I can easily vent a fan or chiller duct or even protable ac unit outside fairly easily.

 

[Foxface210]

Not sure i follow....."consider bumping it out a few more feet"?

I'm picturing an open basement where you can do whatever you want... If you were going to build to suite, I was just suggesting that you may want to bring the tank out from a fixed wall a little further and create a little room behind the tank.

It could easily be that I'm just not picturing what you're working with in terms of the room/basement.

LEDs/Basement/etc... I can't imaging you'll need a chiller either.

 

[110galreef]

Basement already framed & drywalled, electric,....etc.....

Basically i have a room already setup. It is about 28 x 18. 1/2 will be used as storage & the rest for the tank & stuff. So basically have tons of room! Also a freezer, furnace & water heater will be in here.

Any issues w/ the room being that big...or is this a bonus? Is an exhaust vent needed?

 

[Foxface210]

I think the size will be a bonus... IMO. Won't need to worry about heat, too much moisture in a small space, etc.

 

[chrisfowler99]

I'm planning an in-wall and was concerned about the front access thing as well.

My plan is to do a divided shelf about 4" deep (the depth of the wall) that will slde in on top of the tank.

I don't plan to access form the front often, but I want the option if I need to.

 

[cilyjr]

i say to everyone i run into thats doing an in wall to consider having frontal access. i was told this by a guy in my club who does not have any to get in from the front. i am glad i have it and i am in the tank that way most often.

 

[110galreef]

I'm planning an in-wall and was concerned about the front access thing as well.

My plan is to do a divided shelf about 4" deep (the depth of the wall) that will slde in on top of the tank.

I don't plan to access form the front often, but I want the option if I need to.

Anymore details on this? When you say divided....you mean basically a left & right side...2 sections.

 

[chrisfowler99]

Anymore details on this? When you say divided....you mean basically a left & right side...2 sections.

Sorry...when I say "divided" it's only referring to the shelves...making boxes. I plan on having a single piece he width of the tank and height of the opening that I can pull out.

It will mean that I can't put much on the shelves, because I'll have to pull whatever is on the shelves off before pulling out the shelf piece...which is probably good. I'd prefer to do everything from the back and only access from the front when absolutely necessary.

 

[Indymann99]

Inwall with front access

lights are on a shelf that has hinge in the back and tilts up for easy top access.

 

[wilsonreefs]

Here's a few pics of mine, the doors above the top of the aquarium lift up for access.

front view from room

with access doors open...

Carl

 

[wilsonreefs]

Here's some of the back of the aquarium..

I want to clean up some of the wiring and other things. right now I'm adding a chiller so I'm going to be doing some plumbing tonight and tomorrow night.

 

[kingsland]

Here is my version:

 

[Blown76mav]

Heres mine, front and back. I can't say enough how important this is. I couldn't imagine the tank without it. Excuse the plastic, that was before it was finished.

 

[110galreef]

awesome.. keep the ideas rolling!:bounce1: