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Unread 08/24/2009, 02:06 AM   #1
MileHighFish
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For those with IN-Walls & Opinions

Hello - I am purchasing a home and will be fortunate enough to have a in wall tank and a fish room. I'm looking for opinions on what the average or correct height should be? The tank is a 100 gal. 5' long. Thanks for any input. Greg


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Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..
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Unread 08/24/2009, 06:05 AM   #2
billdogg
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The correct height is whatever you find to be best! Mine sits at 40" from the floor, but is in my finished basement in the "playroom" (pool, pingpong & darts) so it is always viewed while standing. You sorta have to figure out how you will decorate and furnish the room it wiull be in and go from there.

HTH


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Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer
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Unread 08/24/2009, 06:14 AM   #3
troylee
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I had a inwall it was 36 from the ground to the bottom and it was cool...kind of a pain to clean and maintain me personally would never do a inwall again after having both a inwall and standard....


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Unread 08/24/2009, 06:27 AM   #4
sebrofjr
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I love my inwall, but dont place it too high like I did. I put mine at direct eye level thinking it would be the best for viewing but its a pain to clean and maintain having such little clearance to the ceiling. If i could do it again ( put mine in while finishing the basement ) I would setup a auto-waterchange system. Other than that, inwalls rock for keeping a clean sleek look and are great if you have curious cats. (see avatar on the left


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Unread 08/24/2009, 09:04 AM   #5
sanababit
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i have an inwall tank, its about 4 feet from the ground, it is hard to keep it clean but just get a small ladder and you will be set, here are a couple of photos of the build



well after a couple of years it looks like this now


Sana


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Current Tank Info: 90RR inwall, Octopuss Skimmer, 2 MP40 wQD, 1 MP10 WQD, 2 Radions G4 Pro, Apex Doser, Apex Controller, 400w heater, 30 Gal Sump, Biopellets, Carbon, Gfo, Macroalgae
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Unread 08/25/2009, 04:35 PM   #6
MileHighFish
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Thank you for the advice - sanababit, great looking tank, thanks for the pics!! I think your all correct I need to figure out how i want to view the tank each day.. I am a bit worried about the cleaning aspect of the in-wall but i think over all its a great way to showcase a tank. Any others have pics that would be great, thanks again..


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See "Red House" for pics!!

I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later.
Mitch Hedberg

Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..
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Unread 08/25/2009, 07:23 PM   #7
Indymann99
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My basement inwall, stand height is at 36"

I have to use a step ladder to clean and a long handle scraper. However sump maint is easy.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ankframing.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...kCabclosed.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ankCabOpen.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ement52009.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...99/MixRoom.jpg


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Unread 08/25/2009, 07:57 PM   #8
kingsland
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My inwall is in the basement. The ceilings are not a standard 8' high and were a limiting factor. The height of the tank was determined by adding the light rack distance from the ceiling plus the distance from the tank to the reflectors. If you have sufficient headroom, it may not be an issue for you. Is is nice to be able to sit in front of the tank for viewing.

One other recommendation is to build cabintry so that you have front side access. It makes cleaning the tank a breeze as all sides of the tank are accesible.


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Unread 08/25/2009, 08:56 PM   #9
Mikeeal
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Quote:
Originally posted by billdogg
The correct height is whatever you find to be best! Mine sits at 40" from the floor, but is in my finished basement in the "playroom" (pool, pingpong & darts) so it is always viewed while standing. You sorta have to figure out how you will decorate and furnish the room it wiull be in and go from there.

HTH
Good post, I agree completely with this and kingsland.

One thing I will say because I feel so strongly about it, my tank is 30" tall, so, it's a HUGE PITA to get to the front bottom of the tank, HUGE PAIN. If I do another one it WILL get access from the front like Indymann99's. The fact that I can't physically reach it without gettin my chin and nose wet, and that I can't even see what I'm doin unless I put some goggles on is something I don't even like thinkin about let alone doin.

Huge pain.

With that said, I sorta believe that putting the access like that takes away from the fact it's an in-wall, atleast from a "looks" stand point. I'd have to make it almost hiddin some way if it was me. Beautiful tank none-the-less Indymann.



My two friggin cents.


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