Hi all, hoping to get some advice on properly supporting an aquarium that I would like to install in my basement. Looking for any experience people have with "in-wall" type builds. Previous owners finished a portion of the basement and put in an alcove which currently has two cabinets installed. I'm including pictures here. Last picture is of the unfinished side of the alcove back wall.
I'd like to place the aquarium in this alcove. The other side of the basement is unfinished so there's unlimited room to place the aquarium equipment, access to water, drain, electrical, etc., so it seems ideal. I'm erring on the side of assuming that the cabinets would not be able to support the weight; the display tank would be around 200 gallons, so expecting a total weight of around 2000 lbs. Moreover, the cabinet top is not quite level. It pitches down slightly to the right. Appears to be level front-to-back.
Right now, my thought is to build a rectangular frame that would sit on top of the cabinets but would be screwed into the existing studs. I'd place 2x6s along the back and front and attach them to the studs, and add additional 2x6s running perpendicular to the back wall to form a frame and provide support in the middle. I'd attach a plywood sheet on top of the frame, and place the tank on that. The tank would be the width of the opening (not extend into the "empty" space on the sides).
My thought is that this approach would allow me to properly level the frame, and the frame would direct most of the load onto the wall studs. The cabinets would also support some of the weight. I'm attempting to be as non-destructive as possible.
I'd appreciate any thoughts, advice, or alternate suggestions.
I'd like to place the aquarium in this alcove. The other side of the basement is unfinished so there's unlimited room to place the aquarium equipment, access to water, drain, electrical, etc., so it seems ideal. I'm erring on the side of assuming that the cabinets would not be able to support the weight; the display tank would be around 200 gallons, so expecting a total weight of around 2000 lbs. Moreover, the cabinet top is not quite level. It pitches down slightly to the right. Appears to be level front-to-back.
Right now, my thought is to build a rectangular frame that would sit on top of the cabinets but would be screwed into the existing studs. I'd place 2x6s along the back and front and attach them to the studs, and add additional 2x6s running perpendicular to the back wall to form a frame and provide support in the middle. I'd attach a plywood sheet on top of the frame, and place the tank on that. The tank would be the width of the opening (not extend into the "empty" space on the sides).
My thought is that this approach would allow me to properly level the frame, and the frame would direct most of the load onto the wall studs. The cabinets would also support some of the weight. I'm attempting to be as non-destructive as possible.
I'd appreciate any thoughts, advice, or alternate suggestions.