Advice on inwall tank

[gweezpie]

Hi All


I am considering moving my 125g to a different area and basically putting the tank in my garage and cutting out the wall in my den and building the tank so that it looks like a live picture flush to the wall.

I know some one has done this on one of the boards....I could swear it was here. Anyhow, looking for any pros and cons from anyone who has done this. It will free up some living space and probably save me from a divorce. since my tank sits in the room with the TV....ouch


Thanks in advance.
Joe

[Doug1]

Joe, larger tanks are better served in wall as long as you have the space to set up a proper tank room. Several on here, so hang on , advice coming

[Buzz_Hog]

Where in PA are you? When I move into my house I'm planning on doing an "In the wall" project or two...

[ReefBum]

I moved mine into a wall a few years ago and it was a great move. I had a carpenter build a closet behind it to house all the equipment and some cabinet doors in the front for easy access to livestock.

[Rick O]

Hey ReefBum,

Nice tank you have there and nice website too. Welcome to TheReefTank.

[thefatman]

Originally posted by ReefBum
I moved mine into a wall a few years ago and it was a great move. I had a carpenter build a closet behind it to house all the equipment and some cabinet doors in the front for east access to livestock

i prefer west access to my livestock.. but hey, whatever floats your boat j/k

welcome to TRT!!!!

tank looks great and carpenter did a fine job !!!

[steveweast]

My set up is exactly as you described with the tank/components in the garage and the viewing side in a den. This set up provides much better access than a conventional layout; but, does better lend itself to a larger tank. Most wall cavities will be 2 X 6...meaning that the first 6 inches or so of the tank will be in the wall cavity and completely shaded. Here's my garage side:

[steveweast]

Here's my viewing side:

[ReefBum]

Thanks for the welcome and all the nice compliments!!

[steveweast]

And a close up of the equipment:

[gweezpie]

Nice photos and Ideas. I did not think of the doors on the wall side.....I like that.

The pump room pic is excellent...many great ideas there.

I am in near downingtown pa.

I may consider ugrading the tank to make the transition easier. Would you guys start off with all new water or tranfser half or so from the existing tank. I don't like the idea of cycling another tank and possibly battling CYNO again.

I have never moved a tank and it may be just as easy to transition from one to another....

I am trying to find the best way....this is going to be some work.

Thanks for all of your input.
Joe

[David Grigor]

Mine a 320g ( OD: 96L X 28H X 32W, ID: 94.5L X 26.5H X 30W )
in-wall tank.

I don't see how people do it without access from the front. Particularly above the tank. Aquascaping and other maintenance must be a challenge. Mine has access doors top and bottom. I rarely use the bottom ones becuase can get to the sump easily from behind. They are there mostly to keep it all looking symetrical.......I also went with painting to better match the wall vs. wood stain so the attention is more on the tank.

Front:




Back:



other shots of putting the tank in place can be seen at www.thefloodedbasement.com/tank_move

[steveweast]

Great set up David. In my case, I wanted a framed picture look and not a cabinet look. To solve the access issue, I have my light hood on a sliding rail as seen in the photo. I stand on my platform and just slide the light hood out of the way as far as is needed ...up to completely off the tank if desired. I have complete access to every part of the tank...in fact, far more than a conventional set up. It is true that I aquascape from the top (and sometimes have to go around to the front to see how it looks)...but, you get used to the perspective pretty quickly. I clean the front glass with a Magnavore magnet and sometimes a Kent scraper for the occasional little coralline spots while using a small piece of acylic as a viewing glass to easily see everything without turning off the pumps.

[gweezpie]

Nice work to everyone. So many great ideas. Thanks.

If it is alright with all of you, I will be printing the pictures you posted to help. OK?

thanks again.
Joe

[Doug1]

Wow nice guys these definately get to go in big tank archive