In Wall or Free Standing

[Mike Ordner]

Current plans are to have a 96" long x 36" wide x 27" tall aquarium installed in a new home I am building. This will be a mixed reef tank. I have a dedicated equipment room that will back up to the tank. If you had this size tank would you build it "In Wall" or "Free Standing" next to the wall? I would like to see the pros and cons of either install. Thanks, I am sure the questions are just beginning.

 

[zigzag1]

In-wall would be my direction. If there was one thing I could change about my setup, it would be this.. JMO & GL!!

 

[adam1980]

I prefer free standing myself that way you can see different angles and views of your tank.

 

[hobogato]

what about the best of both worlds, in wall on a corner so one large side and one end are viewable?

 

[tom obrecht]

I had the same dimensions and this is what I did. Worked nice with the end exposed.

 

[hobogato]

awesome tom! that is exactly what i had in mind

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

^ That would be my vote as well.

 

[tom obrecht]

Here's another example...this time from my 260 (60" x 36" x 28'). This was on the corner of the kitchen. IMO the perfect place in the house!

 

[tom obrecht]

One more shot from the kitchen view.

 

[Mike Ordner]

Thanks everyone. This gives me some good visuals to take back to the designer. I believe the in wall with one end open would work with the house design. Will post back when I get the blue prints finished.

 

[jdpiii3]

Here is mine a 400 gal inwall natural sun lit. I had a free standing one before this one, my wife likes how this looks so much more.

Build thread here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2040499

 

[edandsandy]

I have the same size tank... In wall all the way, but try to have some kind of access from the front...I do and don't know if we could live without it.

 

[reefkeeps]

Here is mine a 400 gal inwall natural sun lit. I had a free standing one before this one, my wife likes how this looks so much more.

Build thread here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2040499

Looks great but how do you clean the glass?

 

[reefkeeps]

I have the same size tank... In wall all the way, but try to have some kind of access from the front...I do and don't know if we could live without it.

I have done both, loved both, I agree front access is really nice.

My favorite was in wall visible from both sides....

 

[BrookR1]

I love peninsula tanks. But I also like looking at all of the life on the LR.

 

[BAJA272]

375 gallon in wall,

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[BAJA272]

n/a

 

[tom obrecht]

The one thing I forgot to mention is access. I would STRONGLY suggest having front access to as much of the tank as possible. I had installed a 180 with no front access and let me tell you it was beyond difficult to clean. Just my $.02.