Chuck's 150 Gallon Reef Project - Page 7

ChuckG · #61 (**permalink**) 02-07-2007, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craiz

Perfect timing! I've always thought a tank in the wall would be cool to have. Recently I've been seriously trying to get my head wrapped around all the work and details involved.

Why did you decide to go with a metal frame stand? I've been thinking about doing a wood frame as it seems like it would be the most versatile.

What do you plan to fill in the lower portion of the hole with? Will you just put drywall back in place once you have the tank and stand all set and positioned?

It's cool seeing your progress on this project.

If you go back to my very first post you will see that I already had the tank in the wall. It was only a 65 gal though. I suppose I could have put this new tank into the wall except that it would take up more room that I want to give up inside of my fish room. So I'm actually going from an "in the wall" tank to a tank on a stand that just sits up against a wall. This is what this project will look like when it's completed. The hole in the wall will simply be hidden by the stand and tank itself yet give me a huge area of access from behind the tank. Imagine a tank, sitting on a stand butting up against this wall. The tank will have an EXTERNAL overflow built into it so in reality the overflow would be within the wall. I tapered that top wall so that I will have access to that external overflow.

Showing the tapered wall at top - BEFORE:

And after:

Why the metal stand for the tank?
This could have certainly be done with wood and I could have done that myself. I happened to hook up with Matt Boyd of Boyd Enterprises, makers of Chemi-Pure and he was in the process of having some metal frames made for some upgrades they are doing. I just went ahead and had them crank one out for me while they were at it.

You might have figured out the answer to your last question already. The hole in the wall is merely for access to the tank and nothing more.

ChuckG · #62 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 07:34 PM

Frame is back from the powder coaters.

I've been thinking about the shell for the cabinet and realized that I have a problem. The frame was made to just barely fit the tank. So the tank will basically be flush with the edge of this frame. I'm thinking that pressed wood and mica would probably be the easiest for the shell of the cabinet.

I figured I'd lay a piece of plywood on top of the frame. The upside down skimmer cup represents the tank itself (flush with frame). In order to get a strip that would cover the transition from the stand to the tank it looks like I would have to inset the side panel A as depicted in the photo above.

Then I could come along and add strips to cover things. Strip B would have to be a wide strip (5 inches) and strip C could be 2 inches.

My other option would be to just make panel B large enough to cover the entire side and hide the transition from stand to tank but that would look pretty darn plain.

Any other ideas?

**Paramecium** · #63 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 07:43 PM

make Strip B some pretty large crown molding with a piece of good quality wood to create a shelf! I would believe this would be very very useful!

ChuckG · #64 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 07:59 PM

I'm not so sure. I thought about making the entire cabinet larger than the tank in order to have space on the sides of the tank. This is exactly what the "shelf" would do for me. Only problem is that if you put anything on that shelf then it is covering up part of the tank and just becomes a distraction.

Taking my last idea from above, you get this. I could add panel D just to bring some relief into the side.

**phlounder** · #65 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 08:11 PM

I would have to agree with Patrick. A shelf around the outside of the tank is very handy when doing maintenance or feeding. Nice to have a surface to sit stuff down on whil you are working on the tank.

There is also a guy on <unmentionable place> that has a 500 gallon tank and a metal stand similar to yours, but had a granite top cut for it that as a little extra surface area. He is having a cabinet maker make wood panels / doors to cover up the metal frame and area under the tank. Looks pretty sweet so far. A little pricey though.

ChuckG · #66 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 10:33 PM

I think I've found the easiest solution. I can always change my mind later and redo it. MDF board panels with magnets. Sleek clean look and all panels would just pull off for access to any side of the sump area.

ChuckG · #67 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 12:23 AM

Just came home from Home Depot. I didn't like the MDF board. Considering that new plastic planking they are making for decks nowadays or plain old wood planking. I don't see why it wouldn't hold up and if it doesn't, it would be easy to replace a plank.

davidh202 · #68 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 12:27 AM

Chuck, you can always add some narrow decorative edge mouldings to outline panels, instead of a solid (panel D) similar to what is done on walls.

**Paramecium** · #69 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 12:27 AM

I would suggest some 1/2" or 1/4" sanded oak/birch/maple etc etc plywood with a nice strip of moulding or edging. for a finishing touch.

ChuckG · #70 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

I would suggest some 1/2" or 1/4" sanded oak/birch/maple etc etc plywood with a nice strip of moulding or edging. for a finishing touch.

Oh so many choices. I'm still searching the net for ideas that others have done with metal frames but so far I think it will be something like you are suggesting.

OR - I just leave it a metal frame and tell people I've got the Euro look going on.