Ok what would you have done different
 

Ok this is kinda of a research post for me.. I am looking to build a large take into the wall of my new house but befor I start hacking down walls and such I want to hear from others who have done a "InWall" tank and see what you like and what you regreat about some of the methods and ideas you had.

Steve

I have not done an in wall tank before but I think that one conserne would be access to the back of the tank, you don't think that you need it untill you can't get to it.

just my 2 cents

ohj should have mentioned that. one side will be a family room the other will be a fish room/den.

Steve

Well ....

for starters I would have made the tank bigger ( 3 ft deep ... 3 ft tall & 8 ft long is still OK )

I have 2 x 2" bulkheads with small overflow box on one end ( would do 2 overflow boxes with a 2" bulkhead in each instead ... that way the " surface skimming " would only have to be for 4 ft of surface each as opposed to 8 ft as I have now )

I would have spent a couple extra bucks for starfire glass for front viewing ( did not know it even existed when I built mine )

Would still have built the rest of tank in wood/epoxy as I did this time ... dont have to rely on anyone else/expense for drilling closed loops etc

If I were to build a larger tank then more closed loops would be a must ... even if they were no used immediately at least you can " upgrade " your circulation later on

plan for sump/refugium and any other tanks you want to share the water supply/heaters/calcium reactor/skimmer with ( ie fish only or species only tanks tied into the reef water supply ) ... on the last part some will say that it is a risk but this IMO is ALL a risk so " why not " ?

as mentioned above room " behind the scenes " is important ... the more the better ... I currently squeeze behind my tank in 2 ft x 12 ft area ... not enough room in hindsight

If I think of anything else I will follow up but I hope that helped some

Cheers

I was busy writing when you posted this ... so is it viewable on 2 sides ?

Cheers

Re: Ok what would you have done different
 

In wall aquariums are spectacular and I have secretly wanted one for awhile. However, we're not living in a place that will facilitate us having one, and we plan on living here until they wheel us out :wink:

Anyway, my biggest concern has always been resale potential of a house with an in wall aquarium. Sure, you and your family will get many years of enjoyment out of it, but what's going to happen when you decide to move? 99.99% of prospective buyers are going to see this monstrosity as a definite drawback to buying your house.

We reefkeepers are a breed apart from the ordinary person, who look at our aquaria as beautiful works of art. But non-reefkeepers will NEVER get into reefkeeping just because the tank, equipment and stock may already be there. Potential buyers will back away from considering buying your house faster than that troublesome fish you're trying to remove from your fully stocked reef.

JMHO, though.

Re: Ok what would you have done different
 

That's a decent point beverly but for the average person, filling in the wall space that the tank occupied isn't a big deal. I am building my in wall tank in the basement for that reason. If I ever sell my house then I will either take the tank with me or the buyer may want to keep it and I will just tack on 20k for the tank system :lol: . As well my tank room is the size of a bedroom so just fill in the wall and voila! you got a bedroom with many extra plugs :rolleyes: .

Anyway Steve, after doing much reasearch on in wall tanks most people that don't have front access wish they did. I think that's the biggest thing to add to an in wall tank. As well my tank is 30" tall. I would never have considered putting a 24" tank in the wall. It's just not high enough IMO. When I bough my tank I could have got a diffrent 230 from one of my friends that was 6ft long and 24" high and 30" wide for 1/4 of the price I got my IA tank for but it was the 24" high thing that I didn't want. As well as the starphire too I guess. :lol:

I am looking at a tank that is 8 foot long 3 foot wide and 2 foot tall. I plan on having it extend 1 foot into the family room and on the back side it will be in a fish room.

I also planned on making some sort of removable canopy in the front and another that will swing out of the way in the fish room.


Rasta, Yes it will be viewable on at least 2 sides maby 2 full sides and some of the sides also.


Beverly, I am planning to make the stand at "desk" hight so that if the tank is gone it will leave a nice desk for a den with a opening into the family room. you can play on the computer and watch the kids this way :wink: Of course I will always present the option of filling in the hole and having a two foot desk on the den side and a 1 foot shelf for decorations

Steve

I would then look at closed loops for circulation from below then ( as you can tell I am not a big fan of plumbing being viewable )

Are you building the tank yourself or are you having it built ?

Cheers

I'm the no front access guy. It's a pain in the ass. The tank is 2' tall X 4'-6" wide X 3' front to back. Very difficult to reach bottom front or coral placement because you are working blind. I have to figure out a way to cut out front access with minimal disruption to the fish. I guess the only way is to giver and stick the saw to it. This part was a major oversight due to having to built the tank setup, fence the property and move within one week mid January.
Otherwise, I like the in-wall tank idea. Easy access to all equipment and the mess stays out of sight. Also there is no need for a canopy. As for resale, 3 studs and a piece of drywall with a 5 minute paint job.
Just thought I'd also mention to keep in mind floor framing above and allow for framing movement at the tank.


Kari