In Wall Construction Question

[lpkirby]

Hi Guys and Gals,

When constructing inwall tanks, any pointers to watch out for? Also I think I need to make my opening larger than I needed so that I can frame all the way around the opening then redrywall. I hope that makes since??? I have done minor drywall repair but nothing major. Any help or pictures would be great!

Thank you

 

[Sindjin]

So far your on the right track. I would watch to see whats above you...any floor joists, trusses or bearing points?

Yes, I would frame a bit larger. Im sure you'll add some casing/trim around the front of the tank anyway, right?

 

[auto_loader]

I have a few pictures on my web page. 120 gallon section.

 

[lpkirby]

Should I redo the entire wall with the green sheetrock because of the mositure or can I just paint it with some type of sealer?

Thanks

 

[Dubbin1]

This is obvious but make sure there are no wires where you are cutting. If you feel like doing the green board it sure wouldn't hurt.

 

[lpkirby]

Yeah, Dubbin I have the plans to the house to make sure on the wires. But just to be safe I am going to use the skill saw first with about 3/4" cut to remove the sheetrock first and then look before I cut any 2x4's.

Thats the plan anyway..

Thanks

 

[Dubbin1]

WHAT No sledge hammer???

 

[misereef]

Hey auto_loader,
Checked out you website. That sure turned out to be a perfect spot for you tank! looks good!

He some pictures of what I ran into during in-wall setup. (big pictures..)

www.mycoolspot.com/reefcentral/tank/wall.jpg
www.mycoolspot.com/reefcentral/tank/tank_front.jpg
www.mycoolspot.com/reefcentral/tank/tank_back.jpg

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I would use cement board myself - in the inside of the fish area - it will never rot or fall apart
Most people make sure they leave extra room at the front top to be able to slide the tank in
One person said they angle cut the 2x4 to allow better access to the front glass for cleaning
I built my stand to hold about 2x my tank weight - lumber is cheap
Make sure you have enough GFI outlets & circuits for your equipment. Much easier to run this stuff when the walls are open
Basement or 1st floor installation, or?

I've seen the floor area sealed to about 3-4" up in fish rooms
If the tank leaks/breaks the water stays in the room, & fish/corals may have a slight chance of survival. Plus the rest of the area won't flood
In addition to tank ligts install some "normal" lights so you can work on the tank & see w/MH off. No fun burning your hand on those
I set my 125g up (not in wall) so the plumbing is at one end, & the elctric is at the other - as much as possible

 

[Sindjin]

Green board may work. In the production home building industry, we use green board ABOVE tiled areas but use Dura-Rock or DenShield for areas BEHIND tile. That may be your best bet.

 

[lpkirby]

Thank You everyone, I am taking notes and looking at the pictures. I will submit a sketch of the space later today.

Leon

 

[Sindjin]

If you remove the drywall and expose the wall/ceiling area, post some pics!

 

[javajaws]

You can follow my thread below for some detail on how I went about things...but I didn't create just an in-wall - I created an entire cabinet/stand in the wall around it as well.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=745212

 

[wildcats]

I put pond liner on the tank using silicone, inserted the tank into the hole, pulled the pond liner into the rear room. The point was to seal moisture from evaporating into the wall cavity. I would consider green board but even another idea would be the plastic sheets they sell for showers in 4*8 sheets instead of drywall. Can paint it any color you like. Even green board may not deal with the constant humidity.

 

[aquaman222]

When I use to maintain tanks, I had a customer who lined his in-wall tank area with some sort of plastic board, then it was sealed at the seams with silicone. Looked real nice and it was not porous, so he could wipe it down with no problem when it got covered with salt creep.

 

[Abysswater]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6493508#post6493508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaman222
When I use to maintain tanks, I had a customer who lined his in-wall tank area with some sort of plastic board, then it was sealed at the seams with silicone. Looked real nice and it was not porous, so he could wipe it down with no problem when it got covered with salt creep.

Sounds like plastic laminate formica.

 

[atoa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6488627#post6488627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dubbin1
WHAT No sledge hammer???

I actually had to use one for my on-going in-wall project

Most houses are built with concrete here in PR (for insulation against heat and Hurricane protection).