Need Advice about in wall design

[bobafet1]

Hello, I just purchased a new two story home for my new 500 gallon tank. Like a few others my fiance thought I bought the house for us. haha...I am planning an in wall design and so the tank will be in the garage but viewed from the hallway when you enter the house. The only problem is that the wall I will be cutting into is a supporting wall. Have any of you done this type of job before? If so, what kind of bracing will I need to put in and what else should I take into consideration. I posted a pic of the first floor plan so that you have an idea of where I will be cutting. Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.

 

[wkaeboardrob21]

i would do it in the den wall its better than tv anyways

 

[Julio]

i agree, the Den would be best, that way you can have the entire room to play with, just think about it you can have a tank the size of the room.

 

[olemos]

For practicality a tank that size will work better in the garage, no problem with water changes, spills, no limits as to what size equipment you can use etc.
all though it would look nicer on the den if made viewable from both sides. But if you put the hole tank in the den ( donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t know the dimension) the den would have no other use as the tank and equipment will take up most of the space.

 

[cward]

If the 2nd floor joist are bearing on that wall I would recommend that you don't do it. It can be done, but it is a pain in the but.

 

[olemos]

By installing a LUV (laminated beam) there is no problem.

 

[bobafet1]

thanks for the info so far everyone. the den is out of the question because it will be my office and I rather have all the equipmnt in the garage in case of any mishaps.

 

[Alphabet]

I agree you could use lam beams. I ordered 2 for $150 so I could replace a couple of floor joists. I have done what you are trying to do and it is not that difficult. If you do not use lam beams you MIGHT be able to use a couple of 2x12's. It would depend on the width of your tank.
This is only my opinoin based on what I have done in the past....

 

[Hop]

I did it for a 6' tank on my 125. it really wasn't that hard, but it did require a inspection from the local government to meet code..."any modification/addition to a weight bearing wall". I used jacks to support the weight while I tore down the wall, then used 2 laminated beams over the top to make the header w/ 2 supporting 2X6 on each side nailed together and affixed to another 2 X 6. Code guy said it was overkill, but it was only $45 more for a little piece of mind.

 

[cward]

By installing a LUV (laminated beam) there is no problem.

LVL's do make great headers, but he has to cut the bearing wall to install it.

Here is the stand for my 240g cube made with 7 1/4" LVL's

 

[bobafet1]

thanks again everyone for all your responses. I will probably go with the LAM beams for my header and just support the heck out of the wall. Like HOP said, I rather overkill the support for the extra piece of mind.

 

[bobafet1]

OK, so its been some time since I posted this but I have since changed my mind on tank location. I decided to go with a room divider between the den and family room. I had contracted SoCal Creations in Montclair CA to build my tank. I have been dealing with Steve and I have to say the customer service is outstanding and the prices are the best I could find. Here is a few pics of my tank thats posted on their website...www.socalcreations.com You can click under current creations and mine is the 400 gallon tank...96X32X30...Im going to start on the stand this weekend..and tear out the wall the next....

 

[Kent E]

Are there any holes?

 

[bobafet1]

Kent E, what kind of holes are you talking about? The tank is going to have an external overflow box which has not been added on to the tank yet it thats what your talking about.

 

[bobafet1]

I decided to make a move and build the stand this weekend...here are some pics

 

[Markk96]

[moved]

 

[golfish]

Re: Need Advice about in wall design

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5343657#post5343657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bobafet1
Like a few others my fiance thought I bought the house for us. haha...

:lol: I recall looking for our current house a few years ago. Every time I went into a house the first thing I looked at was where the tank could go:lol: She's the one that came up with the in wall tank idea for us.

I'm not sure if your from So Cal but you know its going to get REAL HOT in that garage during the summer.

Are you up by Sierra Lakes? Nice golf course ,

 

[bobafet1]

Hey golfish,
Actually Im down the street from Sierra Lakes..
I have decided to change the location from garage to a room divider in the den/family room area...Im gonna be taking out the wall that divides the den from the family room. The tank will be viewable from 3 sides.

 

[gcarroll]

Looking good Mike! Keep us updated.

 

[golfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6625750#post6625750 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bobafet1
Hey golfish,
Actually Im down the street from Sierra Lakes..
I have decided to change the location from garage to a room divider in the den/family room area...Im gonna be taking out the wall that divides the den from the family room. The tank will be viewable from 3 sides.

That sounds great Mike, let me know if you need any help....