The Official brain drain Thread... IN WALL!

[ghengis]

G'day everyone. At some point in the (not too distant, hopefully) future, I will be moving into a new house... As said house is due to start construction over the next couple months, I want to plan ahead for the build of a (size yet to be determined) In Wall tank, with concessions made during construction for the required future mods to fit the tank. I've been doing a LOT of research on Reef Central and the like for ideas on how these are achieved. But I need more. I also ran a couple quick searches here, with mixed results...

So. Could all (any) of you with links to Threads, Websites, Pictures, whatever, post them here, to help me in my quest? I'd prefer real in depth DIY How-To type things, rather than just "Hey here's a pic I found of Joe Blo's finished tank", but any help at all would be great. I need to get on top of this planning thing ASAP, so I can discuss this all with the building firm.

Thanks in advance

 

[Pharaoh]

If you could tell us specifically what information you are looking for, we would have a better idea of what information to give you. There are a lot of custom tank builds and in-wall tanks.

 

[ghengis]

Pharaoh, therein lies my problem. I'm not too sure how I will attack this project. But I am sure that I want a tank in a wall at the end of it all... I want to mention, I am not some young kid with dreams beyond his abilities. I have the funds and the skills to pull this sort of project off, I really just need to come to a point where I can effectively plan, based on information gleaned, the whole build.

From what I have learned so far, the most common form of in-wall is a plywood tank, with the glass/acrylic/perspex/Starfire viewing window. This is probably the type I will build, simply because I see it as the most cost effective avenue, and because I work well with timber. There are also, basically, two different appraoches to placement of the tank. Some folks, I see, will cut a hole in a wall and basically slide the tank and stand into place behind that wall. Others will basically build the tank/stand, stand them against a wall and build a second, false, wall around the whole shebang, with access to the top or bottom via hinging doors.

So, I have the basic gist of how things go together. What I need is to work out the different options for plumbing, filtering or lighting the tank, how all that may fit into a given space, problems other people have encountered by persuing a particular method or idea etc. The more I can filter thru my brain, the better an understanding I will have of the whole process. Which is why I've asked for pretty much any sort of input, regardless how irrelevant it may seem... Besides which, anyone else reading this Thread may learn a thing or two, also.

Cheers for your reply

 

[ScottXGTR]

ill share my future plan, since it may provide ideas for you.

it would be more of a closet, or extra room. the tank would show into the living room, but maintenance would be done from the back. water would be on tap, and the all important floor drain. moisture resistant drywall would be used, and probably some venting to the exterior to avoid mold from excess humidity. a couple of 30a breakers dedicated to power anything that i could imagine. and the walls of the room would be insulated with the highest r-value allowed. this would help maintain heat, and also absorb sound created by any pumps that would be running.

as far as if it would be a plywood tank, or a glass/acrylic. i would probably go plywood. if im going to dedicate a part of my home to a tank, i want it to be large enough to not want to expand later (yeah. . right). glass/acrylic would be cost prohibitive.

also, take into account the resale value of your home. a built in tank will probably be considered a waste of space for most people, or it could deter potential buyers if you ever decide to sell. however, if you build the tank on a stand, with a false wall, this can be easily removed at a later date if you decide to move.

a crude diagram is below. not to scale in any dimension.

i hope my insight was helpful

 

[Pharaoh]

Depending on how big your in-wall tank will be will really determind the cost effectiveness. You would be looking around the 500+ gallon for it to be more cost effective to build your own tank. If you are going smaller, I would suggest that you just buy the tank.

Most people use a Wet/Dry or sumpto filter their tanks. They are the cheapest to build and maintain. Plumbing can be hidden behind the tank or the tank can be drilled.

The beauty of an in-wall custom tank is that you can build it pretty much however you want. You ought to try and draw something up as ghengis did so that we can offer you suggestions on it.