Tuffloud1's 262 Gallon In-Wall Reef Build Thread

[Tuffloud1]

Well here it goes!

I started into the reefing hobby over 5 years ago. My first and current system is 90 gallons which I built into a wall in my living room.

Here it was before I moved it out of the wall to make room for the new 262 gallon going in it's place!

 

[Tuffloud1]

Here you can see I put masking tape outline of where the new 262 gallon will be. Look at the difference in size!

Current 90 gallon is 48x18x25

New 262 gallon is 72x28x30.

I chose the 28 inch depth because this is all I could squeeze into the area I have to work with. Granted I am paying for 30 inches, I figured the 4 inches was worth the cost over 24 inches so I was willing to pay for 2 inches I won't be getting if that makes sense.

 

[Tuffloud1]

Let me show you around back.

The header and door opening is too small for maintenance on the new tank so I had to expand the width and height.

 

[User]

Awesome!

Fishroom in back?

Following for sure

 

[Tuffloud1]

Demo time.

 

[Tuffloud1]

Had to move an electrical box to get a few more inches out of the doorway. Plan is to build double bypass barn doors. Got the header raised up and took out some studs on the left side as well to open it up.

 

[Tuffloud1]

Picked up some really expensive premium douglass fir for the top frame of the new in-wall stand.

 

[Tuffloud1]

Got the opening cleaned up.

 

[Blitheran]

Wow looks good! Keep the pictures coming!!

 

[Tuffloud1]

I got the frame top frame constructed and set in place.

 

[Tuffloud1]

Awesome!

Fishroom in back?

Following for sure

I wish! No room for the fish room. It does back up right to a laundry closet so I am going to put my water change station in there.

 

[User]

I wish! No room for the fish room. It does back up right to a laundry closet so I am going to put my water change station in there.

Put washer in kitchen like the Europeans. Problem solved lol

 

[Tuffloud1]

Got some more framing done.

Screwed and glued the top frame to adjoining walls on the back left and front right corners to avoid folding.

 

[Tuffloud1]

More framing.

Probably went overkill with all the hangers.

 

[Tuffloud1]

Got the drywall patched and painted.

I used Plasti-Dip on the inside wall reveal as well as 8 or so inches up the wall since the waterline is close to this. I had good luck with Plasti-Dip in the past for this type of application.

I rolled it on - did 4 coats.

Also ran another circuit above tank in case I want to use for fan/lights.

 

[Tuffloud1]

This is the same fan that has been running for over 5 years, 24/7 for moisture in the closet.

I believe it is a Utilitech bathroom fan from Lowes -

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-...CFM-White-Bathroom-Fan-ENERGY-STAR/1000237421
I ended up yanking the moisture sensor out since it didn't work the way it should. I just run the fan non-stop to keep everything dry. I have it vented through the attic to the outside.

 

[dale m]

Very nice. I'm interested. When I gutted my current house I said I was going to do this. I never did but now that I see this I may rip out a few walls for my next tank.

 

[Tuffloud1]

Coming along.....

 

[Tuffloud1]

Custom Aquariums tank has arrived.

72x28x30, 262 gallons.

Holes drilled on the back wall all the way to the left for a Modular Marine overflow.

 

[TARHEEL78]

Can't wait to see the tank in place!