built-in-wall question, will it look bad?

jeff262 · 02-07-2006, 10:02 PM

I am having a new house built and they are in the finial stages of my built in the wall 125 All-Glass tank. it is being set right on the framming so there is a 1/2 of drywall sticking out from the tank and the trim will have to "step Down" to cover this. does anyone have a tank like this, does it look alright having the tank recessed in the wall like this and not flush with the drywall. i wanted it flush but i didn't trust having one hole side of my tank resting on 3/4 plywood with no header under it even if it is only a 1/2 inch i still assume the wood would bend leaving the front with no real support leading to stressing the tank
thanks jeff

Geoff · 02-07-2006, 11:05 PM

i believe this is how most people have thier built ins. puting an 1.5" strip along the inside of the framing will not look bad at all. i think that it actaully help clean up the transition.

G~

Spridle · 02-07-2006, 11:09 PM

It's going to look awesome. Your trim carpenter will be able to recommend different types of molding that will look very nice. He can add the trim after you get the sand and water levels established such that you can hide what you don't want to see.

Is your sump, chiller, pumps going to be located in a different room?

Here are some other ideas before you add the sheetrock:

1) Put an R/O unit and a 20 gallon reservoir upstairs and run a gravity feed line to your sump for top off.

2) Make sure you have enough electrical service with GFI and multiple circuits. Also, if you plan to use X10, make sure you have plenty of adequately spaced outlets.

3) Ventilate the area to the outside with a low noise squirrel fan with thermostat activation.

4) Soundproof as much as you can during construction. Insulate all the pipes, add high-density loaded vinyl sound barrier, etc. It's cheap to do this during construction, but a pain after things are set. http://www.allnoisecontrol.com/produ...rComposite.cfm

5) Add an emergency drain into your sanitary sewer.

6) Finally, check out www.oregonreef.com for ideas--lots of pictures of the plumbing and mechanical.

Loverotties · 02-07-2006, 11:24 PM

It should look really good!

jennmac415 · 02-07-2006, 11:31 PM

We are building a house right now also and they have just begun the framing... I was going to have a tank built into the wall but then decided I wanted to be able to see all 3 sides so didn't have it in the framing plan. but now that I have seen yours I wish I had done it. I do however plan on having the tank sit on the wall in the basement that has all the mechanical stuff in the room behind so i can have the sump and junk in there and plumb it to the tank through the wall. Will this work and can someone who has done this show me their set up? I do really like the idea of having the ro and auto-top off gravity fed... I had a gravity fed- auto-top off set up on my little 90 gallon in Oregon and it was the best thing I did. Kept my SG right at 1.025 and I never had any problems with it. All of these electrical complicated things are to hard for me.... my motto is KISS! My new tank when we get the house all built and settled in will be a 180 and I can't wait!!! Good luck with your house!

wanareef · 02-08-2006, 07:07 AM

Jenn

Should have had it in the wall

but you're idea will work. I have seen it several times I'll try and find the link for you.

Just remember to use big PVC thru the wall, 1.5" or 2" from the overflow to the sump. And for the sump, remember to add the extra water in the pipes for the "overflow" in the sump when the pumps are turned off, make it a little bigger. Normally it's about 2 to 4gals but with the extra pipe add another 4 gals to be safe.

Remember do not use check-valves no matter what others tell you - they don't work.

Here's a link to a nice inwall - little bigger than the 180 but close http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1 oh it's a loooong thread

AdamG · 02-08-2006, 08:02 AM

Been there done that. Looks great let me show ya:

a

Let me know if ya got any questions

AdamG · 02-08-2006, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennmac415

We are building a house right now also and they have just begun the framing... I was going to have a tank built into the wall but then decided I wanted to be able to see all 3 sides so didn't have it in the framing plan.

That was my thinking at first. That is why I added the port hole on the side. THought it was an interesting way to look at the side and would look cool.

AdamG · 02-08-2006, 08:13 AM

Jeff, looking at your framing... You can add a porthole as you are walking down the stairs. That would look real cool. That way you can see a side

jennmac415 · 02-08-2006, 08:56 AM

Oh Charles.... now I really wish I had done the inwall...

I am going to start a new thread so as not to hijack this one...

wanareef · 02-08-2006, 09:24 AM

Adam

Nice job. Port hole is nice look- carries the theme.

Geoff · 02-08-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamG

Jeff, looking at your framing... You can add a porthole as you are walking down the stairs. That would look real cool. That way you can see a side

i really like the port hole idea!!! very nice!!!

G~

Tim224DT · 02-08-2006, 09:31 AM

Yeah the porthole is a very cool idea.........I dont think i have ever seen another picture of a tank with it.

Tim

AdamG · 02-08-2006, 09:40 AM

cool. I patent the porthole idea!

AdamG · 02-08-2006, 09:42 AM

thanks guys!