Advice for in-wall build

[dputt88]

hello all,
I will soon be building a couple tanks into the wall (see pics for lay out and plans). should i be painting the studs with Killz or something to protects them. Also has anyone ever put a sheet of plastic on before drywalling? sort of like a vapor barrier to protect the drywall/greenboard. also it might act to keep the copper treated greenboard from leaching into the tank.

also whats the best way to add access from the front. pics appreciated.

advice wanted for any extra steps needed to put a tank in the wall over typical framing and drywall.

 

[Kryssie]

Bump

 

[DLHDesign]

I've not done an in-wall installation (yet...), but I don't think you will want drywall anywhere around the tank - hardibacker (cement board) is what you would likely want to use; just as you would in a bathroom or around a sink. Greenboard might be okay, but is not as good an option due to its potential to still absorb moisture (and, as you said - leach out stuff you don't want in your tank). It's not so much the direct water contact (though this is a minor concern due to splashes and drips) so much as it's about the extra humidity around the tank that will occur due to evaporation.

 

[dputt88]

can you mud hardie backer like dry wall? that would increase the cost 4x as well.

 

[DLHDesign]

Yes; you can (or, at least - I have without problems).

Yeah - it's one of those things you either pay for up front or (possibly) pay even more for down the road. Mold is one of those things that can kill, so it's not something I personally would risk - but everyone gets to decide their own level of risk in life. :-)

 

[dputt88]

did you use typical drywall mud? since cement always has a decent moisture content i'm wondering if that moisture would lead to typical drywall mud cracking a lot

 

[DLHDesign]

I only did a small patch (a bit of overflow board around some tile), sorry. A full wall segment would very likely react differently than the ~6sqft that I did...

For what it's worth; I used normal stuff and have no cracks or problems.

 

[dputt88]

yeah i was also thinking that because haribacker isnt smooth you would have to mud the whole wall (116 sq. ft.) rather than just the seams and where screws were.

 

[DLHDesign]

Yeah; it's a slippery slope... :-\

 

[AlexG]

I like the layout for this fish room. What is your plan to control humidity in this space? A plastic barrier or a good paint will stop a lot of moisture from absorbing into the walls and the house. I find it is more important to have a humidity control plan in place though. If you can prevent moisture from being easily absorbed into the walls with a barrier it still must be mitigated in an enclosed space otherwise it can build to levels that create an ideal environment for mold >80% humidity. I would be more geared towards keeping the walls open stud construction and using an oil-based paint to create a protective barrier on the wood from absorbing a lot moisture. I used killz oil-based to protect all of the wood in my system. I also have humidity control measures in place on my system which uses a combination of plastic barriers, ventilation, lids, and a dehumidifier. Every space, climate, and home environment is different so your humidity control measures might differ but I would make sure you have a plan and have humidity control measures in place before the tank is up and running.

For the front access to the tank I would create some removable panels that can be taken off and put aside to allow the greatest level of access possible. I use an hanger system for the front canopy panels for my tank that go from the top of the tank to the ceiling.

Canopy panels on

panel off access

 

[cilyjr]

I made doors.

 

[dputt88]

I like the layout for this fish room.

Alex, can you show me couple extra pics as to how that panels are hung and how they are made.

 

[dputt88]

I made doors.

The issue I have with doors is that the tank is on a corner. So I'd have to do doors that lift up. Then I have to make them stay up

 

[CPL376]

The issue I have with doors is that the tank is on a corner. So I'd have to do doors that lift up. Then I have to make them stay up

Check out "lid stay torsion hinge". From Rockler. They are the best. Used them for my grandchildrens toy boxes so that their fingers don't get pinched.

 

[dputt88]

Check out "lid stay torsion hinge". From Rockler. They are the best. Used them for my grandchildrens toy boxes so that their fingers don't get pinched.

I'l have to look into them, do you know if they are made of stainless or have a protective coating?

 

[RamsReef]

Check out "lid stay torsion hinge". From Rockler. They are the best. Used them for my grandchildrens toy boxes so that their fingers don't get pinched.

That builds character though.. your grandpappy never used no hydralics ir springloaded hinges in his day.

 

[CPL376]

I'l have to look into them, do you know if they are made of stainless or have a protective coating?

Don't know if it's stainless or not but I know they hold up to small children really well.

 

[CPL376]

I just looked them up. They are made from a cast zinc. Not stainless and they are available in a bronze or satin nickel finish

 

[cilyjr]

Not necessarily. You could run a post at the corner. Maybe something similar to this.

 

[AlexG]

Alex, can you show me couple extra pics as to how that panels are hung and how they are made.

Here are some closer picture of the canopy panels. These were designed for function over looks but they could easily be made into a nce looking panel. The inside of each panel is lined with 1/16" poly sheet from home depot.