In Wall Aquariums

D

Drdavis

Premium member
We are relocating and have the 150 gallon and 220 gallon aquariums with us. I am thinking about having them built into a basement wall. I could use the 150 for coral and the 220 for a mixed reef, mostly softie and fish aquarium.

For those of you who have built or have had built in wall systems what are your tips and advice? Would you hire a contractor? If so how would you find the right one (Chicago contractors will not work for us because we have reloed to Baltimore, MD)? What key features would you want? Would you change the approach if you had it to do over again?

On another note the build pictures may come slowly because we do not move into our new house until July 23rd.
 
Don, congratulation on the move..and best luck for you and family. I got no experience about in wall tank but can't wait to see your in wall tank when finish..
:)
 
I don't think you will need a contractor. Are you cutting an existing a wall or building a new wall? The only thing I would try to do differently with mine, is build some sort of access panel in the front. Doing everything from behind the tank, with a painted back, can be a pain. Even simple stuff like getting a mag float on the front glass can become a chore.

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View attachment 11556
 
agree with needles. definitely need front access. basement aquariums can be a pain. you will need a powerful dehumidifier to keep moisture down in basement and keep mold away. Another thing with the basement is when I had a basement tank, I didn't see it as much as I want to because it's in the basement, but being in the basement made maintenance easier because everything was already down there.
 
While mine is not in wall, it is in the basement. Dehumidifiers run 365, but being the man cave is the basement I do see the tank a lot. Another plus for a basement tank is no need to restructure any flooring. Sorry for the sidetrack, back to in wall topics.
 
I've never done it, but check to make sure where you want it, there isn't a load balancing beam. If there is, you'll probably need a contractor to help re-distribute the load(if that's the only wall you can do it on). And then to go along with other people's advice, allow an access panel from the front for easy cleaning and access.
 
Thanks everyone. For my basement sump in the last house we ran a big exhaust fan and dehumidifier. I also have gotten some other feedback that we should use the bathroom green board.

I most likely will need a contractor because of time but will keep everyone posted. As JRPark22000 knows I am also trying to get a reef club like CR up and running so I have to pick where my time goes.

I like the front access idea and will make sure it is incorporated in the design. I also want a utility sink and floor drain near by. All areas behind the tank will be epoxied flooring.

As I said, it is early yet but I want to have everything laid out prior to getting the house.
 
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