in wall tank project, need tips on doing it right

[saf]

I am planning to put a 75 gallon tank in a wall in my basement and wanted to get some input from people who have done this before. Currently, the wall that I am thinking about putting it has a closet and I was thinking of using the closet space to house the tank and take out the back wall which leads to my utility area. I am not sure if I want to do the carpentry myself or have someone else do it, so any ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

[Blown 346]

What questions do you need answers to? I did my inwall for my 90 gallon myself and I am not a carpenter by any means.
I jut took my time planned everything out, found the center of the wall I was putting the tank into, and decided how high I wanted the tank.
The hardest part of doing this is making sure your measurements are dead on. Triple check everything and test fit the tank each time you make a cut or widen the hole. I suggest cutting the hole 3 inches too small on all areas just for error purposes.

Other than that once you have the hole in the wall it is all down hill.

Here are some pics of mine, to give you a brief idea.
Here is the tank, stand in my utility room
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/57307in_wall_tank_and_lighting.jpg
Here is the trim work, I used this to hide the black trim on the tank.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/57307in_wall_trim.jpg
Here is the finished look with the bare tank.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/57307In_wall_tank.jpg
Here is the tank full.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/57307Full_90_pic.jpg

 

[saf]

Those are good pictures. I think my biggest question is how to make it flush with the wall or is that even possible?

 

[Blown 346]

It is possible to make it flush with the wall, but you will have to use 2x4's, cut them to length and place them in between the inside wall and the outside wall, on top of the existing wall studs.

You will have to cut the hole in the wall, you will be left with the wall studs in the way. Cut the wall studs to the proper length to make the right sized opening for the tank.

I believe a 2x4 is 2 inches thick, you will want to cut the wall studs 2 inches below the drywall. Then cut some 2x4's to the proper length from left to right.
Place the newly cut 2x4's on top of the existing wall studs you cut 2 inches below the drywall, your 2x4's you placed on top of those studs, should be even with the drywall. Nail them or screw them down.
Do this to the top and the sides also, you will be framing the hole so there are no open gaps.
The tank will rest on the very edge of the new frame you made and of course a stand for the back half, the tank should be flush with the wall. Then all you have to do is get some framing and you will be set.
Here is a pic of a flush in wall. This is not my pic but someone elses, hope they dont mind me using it.

 

[kstuart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6572609#post6572609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blown 346
It is possible to make it flush with the wall, but you will have to use 2x4's, cut them to length and place them in between the inside wall and the outside wall, on top of the existing wall studs.

You will have to cut the hole in the wall, you will be left with the wall studs in the way. Cut the wall studs to the proper length to make the right sized opening for the tank.

I believe a 2x4 is 2 inches thick, you will want to cut the wall studs 2 inches below the drywall. Then cut some 2x4's to the proper length from left to right.
Place the newly cut 2x4's on top of the existing wall studs you cut 2 inches below the drywall, your 2x4's you placed on top of those studs, should be even with the drywall. Nail them or screw them down.
Do this to the top and the sides also, you will be framing the hole so there are no open gaps.
The tank will rest on the very edge of the new frame you made and of course a stand for the back half, the tank should be flush with the wall. Then all you have to do is get some framing and you will be set.
Here is a pic of a flush in wall. This is not my pic but someone elses, hope they dont mind me using it.

Make sure you measure your 2x4 and not just assume it's 2 inches

 

[saf]

I think I follow you, so basically you are using the 2x4's for support so they are flush with the wall, but why would you need the 2x4 on the outside of the wall?

thanks,

Scott

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Actually Most 2x4;s sold in HD or Lowes are 1 and 3/4 inch thick. A true 2x4 is pretty much non existant these days.

 

[Reefdaddy1]

No what he is saying ( I think, Is you would have to Frame in the tank. LIke a window. Regardless of how you do it, you will have to do that anyway to secure your sheetrock wall. That is if I am understanding what Blown356 is saying.

 

[Blown 346]

Yes exactly, the 2x4's are there to support the drywall and give the tank something to sit on. Otherwise the tank would end up destroying the drywall. When I can get the search button to work, I will get some pics of what I am talking about. Once you see the pics it will be a cake walk.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

"dimisional" lumber is 1 3/4" X 3 1/2". The 2 X 4 is the size of the wood when it's rough cut, then they plane it down until it gets to that size and is straight.

What you are tyring to do is basicaly frame in a window the size of your tank and sit the tank on that "window" ledge with a stand to support the rest of it. Go find a book on house consrtuction at the libaray and you can get a good idea of what you are trying to build. You will need a header above the opening to support the celing joist. That too will be expalined in the book.

If you want the tank flush with no trim around it, then you want to use some type of green board or cement board like they use in bathrooms that's made for mostiue areas instead of drywall. You can finish the edge of it with tape and a little mud to make it even.

The pic that was posted just shows a trim around the opening like you would do on a window or door to cover the drywall to wood opening junction. Good luck with it.