Inwall tank build with corals that "Sway"!

[blide]

Looks great so ur not going to use a wavebox just powerheads

Yeah, to extend the life of the tank I thought it was the best decision. I really like the wavebox, but it can create an intense "sloshing" effect and with the steams on a contoller you're able to create more of a slower back in forth motion IMO.

 

[KafudaFish]

Looks really good.

Question about the cement:

What are your thoughts on working with it? Any tips? Did you use straight cement or did you add sand also?

I have worked with portland and water stop cement but I am looking for something else to help deal with pH problems on my next build.

You said it was a go after about a week.

 

[blide]

It was pretty easy to work with and dried fairly fast. I mixed it all by hand and trowel and that was difficult (all mortar is difficult hand mixing). I would recommend getting some kind of drill bit mixing device and just practice with the consistency. Plus, the egg crate was key to having a good structure.

Yeah the ph was 8.4 after a week...

 

[KafudaFish]

Ok thanks for the info.

I looked the product up and 55 pound bags cost around $35 plus shipping as you said. I may check around for a local source.

Now I just have to find where I put my drill mixer.

 

[joejoe1055]

that would be interesting to learn
that is something i might like to experiment with someday

 

[blide]

Couple of pics with the lights on:

Bulbs -
1 - 54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent by General Electric
1 - 54W Purple Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
3 - 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
1 - 54W True Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent by AT

 

[joejoe1055]

looking good so far

 

[kamla]

Nice... Tagging along as well

Quick Q for u blide
How log did u dip the rocks in Acid?
and they do put all the rocks in at once or dipped them one by one

Thax

 

[blide]

Nice... Tagging along as well

Quick Q for u blide
How log did u dip the rocks in Acid?
and they do put all the rocks in at once or dipped them one by one

Thax

I only dipped the rock once for about 15 - 20 min and did it in two batches because I only had one 30g brute can. Plus, I didn't want the acid to be over the halfway mark in the can.

 

[SATAN FISH]

Everything looks phenomenal! However, am I the only one wondering why you haven't trimmed in the edges yet? That would have been one of the first things I would have done after putting the tank up there to make sure it sat right. Then I would have pulled the tank down and finished out the wall, THEN done everything else.

Either way... I'm jealous LOL.

 

[blide]

Everything looks phenomenal! However, am I the only one wondering why you haven't trimmed in the edges yet? That would have been one of the first things I would have done after putting the tank up there to make sure it sat right. Then I would have pulled the tank down and finished out the wall, THEN done everything else.

Either way... I'm jealous LOL.

I'm not sure what you mean about trimming in the edges, but I did install trim on the top and bottom behind the sheetrock opening.

The tank is a standard 150g and it's actually larger behind the sheetrock because I only wanted 58' showing in the front and since custom tanks cost $1600+ I went with a AGA 150 that was only 20% of the custom cost. :spin3:

I'll try to find more pics to better explain...

 

[Toddrtrex]

I think (( and I could be wrong )) that "SATAN FISH" meant any trim around the "window". In this picture, trim around that "window" would hide the edge of the drywall, and any unevenness.

But, it is looking good. Do you have any concern about the wine being in the room with the tank ? I would imagine that it would get pretty warm and humid in there, not good conditions for wine.

 

[blide]

Oh I see... Well the original hole cut in the sheetrock was just a start to get an idea of the size hole we actually wanted for the "window". We had some concers about the furniture that was going to be placed in front of the tank and as for the design aspect of the frame around the tank we wanted it be shorter than the length of the furniture. After months of looking at furniture the wife finally picked out a buffet (seen in the quote pic above) and then we were able to determine the whole size so it was modified. Here's an update with the frame I installed last week:

 

[Toddrtrex]

Wow, that looks really great.

Think my other question got missed -- any concerns about the wine being in the same room as the tank -- with the humidity and temps?

 

[blide]

Do you have any concern about the wine being in the room with the tank ? I would imagine that it would get pretty warm and humid in there, not good conditions for wine.

Not really because the room doesn't have a door right now (plan to add a wrought-iron door) and it stays room temperature with the exhaust fan kicking on through out the day.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Ahh, that will work -- the old bartender in my was coming out.

 

[kamla]

blide - lets see some more shots of the over flows

looks great.. nice seat as well..

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

very nice job....you also have absolutely beautiful floors...

 

[reefnrod]

well....one of the best builds i have ever seen. the best part is you talk the wife into leting you set up a tank like that. the cabinetry and wine rack look amazing. i love the hand scraped hardwood floors. as a renovation contractor, i was looking a everything but the tank.lol i cant wait to see it stocked!!

Jared

 

[joejoe1055]

looking great, can't wait for more progress