In wall tank question...type of wall finish

T

TIMMYE

New member
Ok so here goes. I getting ready to build in my 210 that currently sits in my livng room. So my tank will still be viewable from three sides (office, LR, hallway). This will be put in the space of two side to side closets. With the sumps & fuge in the basement.

My question is how has everyone finihed the wallin realtion to the tanks. Is the drywall flush with the tank glass? Or is the tank rescessed with say 4-6" ledge from finished drywall to the tank? If I use this option I could use a nice piece oak trim for the ledge as sort of plant ledge.

Also I am looking for ideas for canopy doors/accsess for the lighting and top of the tank?

If you could post pics of your in-wall tank that would be great. Thanks Tim
 
i dont have any pics but i made my 210 flush and put a decorative trim around it. looks like a big picture frame. ireally like how mine turned out.
 
Take a look at my thread. I just started but you might be able to get some ideas/ I already built the wall to inclose the office and put the tank on the stand. I am going to build a ledge and crown mold the top. My tan k sits back about 1/4 from the drywall. When I get home I will start a little on the trim. I think I have most of it figured out. The office side I will probally do all wood adn then stain it to match my new office furniture.

You really need to post some pics it is hard for anyone to give any input with out visualizing it.
 
I am just ib planing stages right now. I will try and sketch a couple things out.

Thanks for the input so far.
 
mine is inset a little with decorative molding. i also did a false wall above the tank that opens as one big door. i would post pics but i cant get to photobucket at work. you could click on my little red house to see the build thread - there are some pics there.
 
And I did it differently than all of the above...

I added a second wall inside my tank room with the studs offset from the original wall so that sound would not be transmitted through mechanical contact. Then I placed the tank behind the opening with about 8" hidden behind the wall on either end and 2" top and bottom hidden as well.

This gives a window frame/sill of about 8" all the way around, keeps the viewing room very silent, and hides the pipes I have coming down the front two corners.

Also, when you hide part of the tank, it has a psychological effect like you are looking out a window into the ocean. While most in-wall installs are the picture frame type discussed above, there is something emotionally different about mine. It doesn't look like "art", but rather a window into the ocean. Has something to do with the physical barrier and not being able to see the side glass up close.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10801443#post10801443 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
And I did it differently than all of the above...

I added a second wall inside my tank room with the studs offset from the original wall so that sound would not be transmitted through mechanical contact. Then I placed the tank behind the opening with about 8" hidden behind the wall on either end and 2" top and bottom hidden as well.

This gives a window frame/sill of about 8" all the way around, keeps the viewing room very silent, and hides the pipes I have coming down the front two corners.

Also, when you hide part of the tank, it has a psychological effect like you are looking out a window into the ocean. While most in-wall installs are the picture frame type discussed above, there is something emotionally different about mine. It doesn't look like "art", but rather a window into the ocean. Has something to do with the physical barrier and not being able to see the side glass up close.
Click to expand...


Can you pst a picture of yours? I think this is how my is going to end up looking. Thanks
 
here is an FTS, but really, if you follow the Red House link, you can see the construction pics, all sorts of FTS etc. I haven't taken a good FTS in a long time, but I think you will get the idea by visiting my web site.

fts%20060607.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10811171#post10811171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
here is an FTS, but really, if you follow the Red House link, you can see the construction pics, all sorts of FTS etc. I haven't taken a good FTS in a long time, but I think you will get the idea by visiting my web site.

fts%20060607.jpg
Click to expand...


I did that after I poster m question. Nice build thread!!!

So in your picture you can see a ledge at the bottom of your opening. I will also have this & I am planning on having a granite piece cut for ll three opening. My tank will be viewable from three sides.


Anyone else have pics??
 
Mine is going to be done in teak or some other darker wood with grass mat for the walls., similar to Steve Weast's viewing room.
 
Here are a couple of shots...the first is my old tank built into the kitchen with woodwork to match. The second is my newest build.

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Yeah, the wood is really nice on the new one. At least, that's the look I prefer. I feel the darker wood helps the reef to "pop" more.
 
Now I am starting to get some good ideas. I really like to trim work in Tom's second tank. But all of these are great!! Keep them comming.
 
One other thing I would recommend if you decide on access doors on the front. On my first tank shown I did have access doors but they were shorter and not real wide. Somewhat of a disadvantage if you really needed to get into the tank to work on it.

The second tank has much larger access doors that have few styles so there is plenty of space to work. Here's what I mean.

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CIMG1175.jpg
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i was fortunate enough to visit a couple of friends with in wall tanks before doing mine. neither of them had any front access, so i made sure to have full access to front and back of mine. the entire panel is one large door on the front and the back, the individual "doors" are just attached to the panel for design continuity.
 
I have about 6' of access in the front above the tank. I think next time I will have more. if you can make it accessible go for it..
 
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