where to build 120 gallon in wall tank?

benzzz · 01-13-2008, 12:27 PM

I have been trying to figure where to plan my in wall tank but have a few concerns...the spot i would like to have it seems like there wouldnt be enough room on the top...I am thinking the tank should be 4 ft off floor and I am not sure if i would have enough room at the top for working on the tank and lighting.,..I am posting a few pics today and some input would be great.

Here is where I would like to put it....nice room behing low ceiling.....

benzzz · 01-13-2008, 02:37 PM

unless I drop the tank down a bit?

carym · 01-13-2008, 02:51 PM

Is it going to be open in front of the tank? I have mine built into the wall behind a bar so I had to go higher. The tank sit's just over 4' from the floor and the ceiling is 7' 8" high. From the top of the tank to the floor joist above is 20 inches. There isn't a lot of room above but it is manageable. The problem I had was I ran water lines from the left side of the tank to the right for a sink and when I ran them I wasn't real concerned with placement, now they are in my way so I may end up moving them to get better room above the tank for the hanging lights. I hung the lights thinking eventually I would rig them so they could be swung out placing them on rollers of some kind so that would then leave a a lot more room getting in the tank.

The other concern you will have is that you will have to be up on a step stool to work in the tank. I have thought about building some platform behind the tank to get up on but that would take up a lot of room.

Just my 2 cent worth.

Thanks
Cary

Loverotties · 01-13-2008, 02:55 PM

Great Ideal to put lights on tracks!

benzzz · 01-13-2008, 03:07 PM

thanks all
Cary we were thinking of a bar type like yourself....But if I had the tank 4 feet off the fllor and the tank is 2 feet tall.....that only leaves about 5 inches before I am into thefloor joists and if I push everything out a bit then I would have about 10 inches before I hit the duct work...the picture shown would be looking towards the tank front.......the room behind is all set for H/C water and sewer for wet sink

benzzz · 01-13-2008, 03:09 PM

BTW cary what lighting do you have

carym · 01-13-2008, 03:18 PM

Aqualight Pro HQI/Compact Fluorescent/Lunar Light Fixture 250w MH, 6 foot fixture.

benzzz · 01-13-2008, 03:19 PM

are your Mh 10 or 14k

benzzz · 01-13-2008, 03:49 PM

how low would someone want to go in the wall.4 feet is good standing level...lower seems like it would not look right

carym · 01-13-2008, 03:55 PM

There the standard 10k I believe, the main picture on the photo gallery was before I upgraded the lights here is an updated pic from a few days ago.

benzzz · 01-13-2008, 04:03 PM

wow looks great.....

I have been measuring all afternoon and it doesnt look good. I may have to reamp a new location for this monster....

carym · 01-13-2008, 04:44 PM

For standing I don't think I would want to drop down much, what about dropping down 6 inches and pulling it out so you would be at 16 to the duct work?

benzzz · 01-13-2008, 09:45 PM

I will measure that out tomorrow and let u know....thanks

kcress · 01-14-2008, 12:03 AM

Hey benzzz, I'm in the same fix. I have only a 7 foot opening. I'm going to put the tank on a stand that goes up and down. A nasty hassle all by its self. But that would solve your access issue while allowing your optimum viewing height.

You still need whatever clearance you need for lighting. In my case there's 15 feet above mine just a big header at the front.

kcress · 01-14-2008, 12:22 AM

An alternative might be, just decide to view your tank from a couch so you can mount it lower.