Large tank access

[Dmorty217]

I will soon be trying to solve the same issue. Tank is 7ftx6ftx2ft and Im having it built into the wall with a bar around it, so back access only. Really have no idea how I will reach something in the front of the tank if need be. Suppose some swim trunks and walking through the tank is always a option.

 

[Scythanith]

I would build cupboard doors over the front of the tank so you can access it from the drywall side. Make them nice recessed white doors so they blend with the wall. Barring that I'd try the scaffold idea, just be very certain that your weight is evenly distributed along the perimeter of the tank or you may have a disaster. Leaning against that rear pane, especially with that white pipe already there would be a nightmare for me, but I am only 5'4". I have a 36" deep by 24" tall tank and there is no way I can reach the bottom of t he tank on the opposite side. I need front and rear access.

 

[karimwassef]

I don't have an option for front access. It's a dry area (no water allowed) like in a restaurant built-in. No doors, paneling, no access. Just wall and glass.

I have a 12ft ceiling, but the surge container over the tank consumed most of my access (swim trunks not an option). The remaining 24" window was consumed by 12" of MH pendants and surge plumbing.

The remainder is a 12" access window with a width of 32" and a height of 27"... A nightmare I'm hoping to learn from in my next larger tank.

Underwater robotics???

I'm half kidding but I've thought of suspended octopus-like arms that hang from above and can reach down to the bottom with two fingers at the bottom. - desperate??

Maybe a remote control submarine with pincers? I feel like I'm in an 'inner space' movie where I need to do surgery on a patient that I can get into.

 

[CuzzA]

Well you could get this and go true Mission Impossible. Haha

Or do what Melev did on his 400 and build walk boards into the stand. Maybe even add some sort of mount to hold a 2x12 over the center of the tank. Perhaps 4x4 steel on either side to support the removable 2x12.
http://www.melevsreef.com/tanks/steel-stand-walkboard

 

[Dmorty217]

The walking board idea is what I did for my 220g stand I built that sits the bottom of the tank 48" off the ground.

 

[karimwassef]

I have a walking board. It attaches to my stand. I still need to bend over by 90 degrees and reach under halides and plumbing.

If I put a walking board with an 8' tank, it wouldn't make a difference reaching from the 48" side.

I'm 5'10" so I don't see a double view 96" as being viable without a scaffold. Has anyone built a scaffold for a massive tank or do most just walk in?

 

[dave.m]

I suppose if you put up support beams over the top of the display tank you could rig up a platform that you lay upon. Make sure this does not actually rest on the tank itself, but on support beams of some kind. Then you just need to reach straight down and wouldn't need so much space over top of the tank (unless you're as wide as me).

Dave.M

 

[shah1]

I like the idea of having walking board added to the stand but as long as it is removable since it gets hard to reach or work under sump...

 

[karimwassef]

Mine is removable and height adjustable.

Does anyone have a board that's at the tank height (laying down flat to work) instead of standing height (bending over by 90 degrees to work)