Tank in-wall question

[plc001]

I have a design question. I want my tank to be flush with the drywall but if I do that, the rim if the tank will not be supported by the stand. It will be seating on topof the of dry wall. Is that ok?

[scrager]

if acrylic, possibly, but if it's a glass tank, the load is on the perimiter of the frame. you want every edge supported, and supporting with drywall will surely cause either the drywall to fail, the tank to fail, or both.

why not have it back 1/2" (drywall thickness) and then cover with round over trim?

[cloudjockey]

I had the same problem and did what scrager suggested. It looks fine. Definently do not sit it on the drywall.

[plc001]

I was thinking of adding trim to cover the plastic, but did not think of the 1/2 inch drywall indentation.

[cloudjockey]

That's actually what I did, was used a 3.5" trim and covered all the plastic on the tank. Then a sealed it with silicon the hide the lght that would come from the tank room behide it.

[cloudjockey]

Here's a pic

[miked0523]

You would have to tear out the existing drywall and framing. Then build your stand into the wall and actually drywall the stand.

[bfillmore]

I used a very strong piece of wood as the counter top, and made it hang over the drywall. It's sturdy, and will never move.

The edges are all tight to the board, so there is no way it will ever sag. It's really nice having the glass flush with the wall.

http://www.skully.ca/reef

[plc001]

bfillmore,

Thanks for the link to your project.

Will help alot!!!!

[bmrigs]

Pedro

I am in the process of doing the same thing. I have a closet I took out and am placing a 180 tank inside. I basically cut out the drywall and studs where the tank is going to sit, ( 1\2" recessed) and re-studed around the sides and top and built my wood stand below tank level and re-screwed the drywall back to the stand legs. I am putting a foam band with hardcoat finish that looks like coral around the perimeter of the tank to cover the unfinished opening of tank and the tank frame. So you only see glass from the front and the right side of tank. Its gonna look cool. By the way, I am a licensed plastering contractor so this part of the job I knew what I was doing. Pics will come soon.

[plc001]

Pics would be great.

[bmrigs]

Ok Pedro. My pics are up on my member folder. Some helpful tip here. Since the tank is underneath the wall some up at the top, the water level will be close to the wall return. Instead of finishing the corner with corner bead that could rust due to salt spray or mold also if with the drywall, I cut strips of pond liner and secured them to the sides and top and folded over to the inside of wall. This will prevent any mold and destruction of the returns of the wall. I also ran down pond liner between the stand and the drywall inside to give the wall protection from salt spray from the sump area. You can see this in the pics. I will post some more pics when I put up the decorative foam banding around the perimeter of tank. Also, make the opening as small as possible ( I gave my a 1\2") larger than the tank so you dont have a gaping hole after the tank is installed. It took me and 5 guys to manuever this 180 into its home with just a 1/2" play on all sides. Hope this helps and best wishes with your project.

[gath2]

I don't know if this helps, but here is how I did mine.

[bmrigs]

Pedro

One other thing. Whatever you use around the perimeter of the tank, (moulding, foam, etc.), do not put it up until your tank has settled on the foam, because the weight will drop it down some and then you will see some of the tank frame come out from your moulding. I'd say give it a week after filling it up. HTH

[shrug1013]

awesome work!!

[Matt Rise]

I'm getting closer.....


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