In-wall aquarium setup

[jnudell]

I recently setup a 55 gallon reef tank in my basement and suffice to say I’m hooked! Already looking to get into something bigger.

I was looking at another area in my basement today and I realized that the wall above my couch is on the other side of my utility room, which has more than enough space to house the guts of a large tank setup! So, I’m fantasizing about putting in a ~180 gallon tank that would be flush with the wall of the living area.

I’m fairy handy so I’m not too concerned about building a stand for it, or slicing up the wall. But what other things should I consider when planning out a setup like this? Would cleaning the front of the aquarium be a big pain if I don’t have access to the top of the tank from the living area?

Thanks!

 

[Peace River]

A few questions - Will you have access to all of the plumbing? Will you have access to get into the tank (possible lights that can raise or move out of the way)? Is the utility room a dusty, a different temperature, or have any other factors that could impact the tank? Is there any utilities in the wall that you are cutting into? Will you need to upgrade your electrical? Will the floor support a large tank? Do you have room for a water mixing station in the utility room? Is there anyone from whom you need permission? Good luck with the adventure!

 

[FUNGI]

Nice....looks like it will great....and yes, PIA to properly clean the front from the back....and dont forget a proper vent for those hot humid days.....

 

[jnudell]

Thanks for the replies! I'll have access to all the plumbing, mixing, electrical etc in the utility room. The utility room contains the furnace so it dusty, and it gets hot in the winter. I imagine I can mitigate the heat with a fan over the top of the tank if necessary. Does the furnace pose a risk to the fish? If so, anything I can do to mitigate it?

What do you mean by vent exactly- from where to where?

So do people with in-wall tanks usually put some sort of access panel in front so you can clean the front glass more easily from the living area?

 

[Marketplace Reefer]

Check out my build thread! I recently set up a 55 gallon in my basement wall.

What I've found is the glass can easily be cleaned with a magnetic cleaner. But cleaning rock work, moving items within the tank or picking up anything that falls is much more difficult with the wall in the way. You'll get pretty good at using the mirror effect off the front glass to see where your reaching from behind. That being said I would highly recommend creating a hatch of sorts above the tank on the display side. With the wood paneling you have this could easily blend into the wall. This will be something you shouldn't have to use often, but will be your saving grace if need be. The wall my tank is set in is a decorative divider wall so I can easily take the wall down and lean it off to the side. Fortunately I've only done this once.

You may also experience lower PH being in the furnace room because your Co2 may be elevated. This can be easily fixed with a cheap Co2 scrubber or pulling your skimmer air from somewhere else in the house.

Last thing id say is definitely do it! I love having the tank behind the wall. Noise, light spillage and wires will become non factors for the display. In my opinion it makes it much more of a statement piece this way too.

 

[vlangel]

Thanks for the replies! I'll have access to all the plumbing, mixing, electrical etc in the utility room. The utility room contains the furnace so it dusty, and it gets hot in the winter. I imagine I can mitigate the heat with a fan over the top of the tank if necessary. Does the furnace pose a risk to the fish? If so, anything I can do to mitigate it?

What do you mean by vent exactly- from where to where?

So do people with in-wall tanks usually put some sort of access panel in front so you can clean the front glass more easily from the living area?

I had a tank in the wall in the 80s and 90s. I would never have another one without some sort of access panel. It's not just cleaning the glass, it's aquascaping and placing coral. Build an access panel in and you will be glad that you did.

 

[javajaws]

My in-wall has doors on the front (on all sides including the top) and it's open (above the tank) on the back. The primary side with doors opens up to the living room so the doors keep the light out. The other side backs up to a cabinet and a dining room that is currently more of a workout room. Check out my build thread for pics.

I have 2 4" vent ducts that run from my enclosed cabinet up and out the top of the backside. The wall was originally a normal 4" thick wall but I bumped it out for the tank and kept a "crawlspace" over the top for venting and light power supplies, etc. Lids on your sump really help keep down cabinet moisture.

 

[jnudell]

My in-wall has doors on the front (on all sides including the top) and it's open (above the tank) on the back. The primary side with doors opens up to the living room so the doors keep the light out. The other side backs up to a cabinet and a dining room that is currently more of a workout room. Check out my build thread for pics.

I have 2 4" vent ducts that run from my enclosed cabinet up and out the top of the backside. The wall was originally a normal 4" thick wall but I bumped it out for the tank and kept a "crawlspace" over the top for venting and light power supplies, etc. Lids on your sump really help keep down cabinet moisture.

Thanks guys for the advice. Sounds like access from the front and back is the way to go. I’ll post some pics when I get to building it!