In wall stand question...

[Greysoul]

So I am setting up an in wall 180g tank.

Here's the wall:

So far I've brought the block wall down to slightly below the height I want the tank. I'm planning to build a stand based on RocketEngineers DIY template plans.

At first I was thinking I could put the front of it on the block and skip those legs, with just the rear legs going to the floor. The block's plenty strong to support the tank, and I see no reason why this wouldn't work.

Then I got to thinking, between the block, and the sheetrock in front of it, I will lose over 12" of depth on the back side of the wall where I want to put a sump and some equipment....

So what would Reefcentral do?

I can keep doing the demo work and take the block down the foundation, and make the stand with 4 legs, leave the block, or maybe remove the block from the middle, span the gap with the 2x8 frame, and have the best of both worlds.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[scott3569]

Well here is my 2 cents, first you stand needs to cover the whole service area that the wall will not cover. so in other words you need to build the stand from the back of the tank up to where it will meet the wall...

I would just build you stand in a way that you will have enough room for you sump and what ever else. but also to where it will make it easy for you to work..make like a u shape type stand where the U starts right at the back of the tank...Thats my 2 cents worth..I am no engineer or even a carpenter so..

 

[fishgate]

Wow, interesting. I have never seen an interior wall on a residential house made of concrete block. I think if it was me, I would take it down to the foundation, build a new lower wall out of 2x4s and make the stand free standing butted up against the 2x4 wall. This is how I built my 125 long tank and the front has a shadow box effect being back around 6" from the front edge.

I don't think I would incorporate any of the block into the stand as it will be very hard to get the existing block wall and the new structure perfectly level where the stand sits level.

 

[woodnaquanut]

First, is this a bearing wall? What's supporting the block above the opening? I'm not familiar with the support structures for openings in block walls. If you don't know it would be a good idea to find out if you need a header beam or lintel.

Either way works, just different advantages/disadvantages.

If you remove the rest of the wall the sump will be able to go further forward but part of it might be hard to get to since it will be in a wall cavity. If you have room in the 'fish room', just let the sump stick out behind the tank.

 

[Mules1]

I would also ask the question: Why is there an interior block wall? Make sure it's not supporting. Then remove it and build the stand independent making sure the tank will be flush with the wall.

P.S.
Typically there are never any interior walls constructed out of block unless they are supporting. Too much cost in material and labor to even think about it.

 

[Greysoul]

I don't think I would incorporate any of the block into the stand as it will be very hard to get the existing block wall and the new structure perfectly level where the stand sits level.

THIS. This right here. Thank you, your logic is excellent, and something that was in the back of my mind but I couldn't see it...

Also...

This is in a commercial building, and the wall had a sales counter there at one time. The fishroom is an old office, and the other side of the wall is a showroom. The drawings call for an 8" steel beam header over the window, but I haven't mucked about to see what's actually there.

I spend more time at my shop than my house most of the week, and my customers love the 60g tank I had in my show room for years (we moved, and now it's in my office)... so I figure I'll put my tank there. Plus, I own the building for the long run, I don't wanna live in my current house for much longer.

Anyways... yay, more demo work.

Thanks guys!

-Doug

 

[uncleof6]

To add to a post above, if that is a bearing wall, you need to have it looked at by a structural engineer to determine structural needs, before anything else. If it is a bearing wall, you may already be in trouble area. You cannot just knock blocks out of a bearing wall...

 

[Greysoul]

...it's not a load bearing wall.

I understand and appreciate the concern, but rest assured, at least in this case, I'm not an idiot

 

[Mrramsey]

In wall stand question...

I am a carpenter and I would take the block all the way down and frame a new wall where the tank goes between the existing block. It will be a heck of a lot easier to get it plumb and level than trying to incorporate the block into it.

A lot of assumptions here though. Kind of hard to draw a real design from the one pic. I am assuming the back side is going to be a sump room.