215G In Wall Build - Photo Intense -

[Louis]

A home just isn't a home without an aquarium. I always wanted to have a tank in a wall so when the opportunity presented itself I just had to do it. This is my photo journal of how I ruined a perfectly good load bearing wall. :)

I chose a wall between my garage and living room for my 215G Oceanic Tank. My first obstacle was to remove the electrical panel which was conveniently located on said wall and relocate it to an adjacent mud room. I am a DIY'er but I left this one to the pro's. After the box was moved I began the teardown.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_01.jpg

Because the wall was load bearing I had to reinforce the ceiling joists before installing the header.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_02.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_03.jpg

With the ceiling support in place I cut the 2x4 studs for the header.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_04.jpg

The header support.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_05.jpg

A header is easy to build, I used two 2x10's sandwhiching a piece of 1/2" Plywood for proper thickness. This makes the header rest flush with the 2x4 studs.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_06.jpg

The header was then installed.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_07.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_08.jpg

The support braces removed.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_09.jpg

We then completed the framing for the tank.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_10.jpg

Building the stand came next. We chose to use 2x4's for the rest of the construction.
First the left and right side.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_11.jpg

Then the back with half a leg for support.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_12.jpg

A finished leg.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_13.jpg

And finally the stand has support. The bottom piece is for the sub floor.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_14.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_15.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_16.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_17.jpg

Should be spacious.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_18.jpg

A little sheet rock, some paint, an aquarium, and BAM!

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_19.jpg

Now where getting somewhere. Time for the viewing area in the living room.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_20.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_21.jpg

I didn't like any of the trim at the local home center so I decided to make it myself out of 1x6 hardwood, I believe it was cherry. After some careful routing we end up with this.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_22.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_23.jpg

Now back to the business end of the project; a little more paint and some of the equipment installed.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_24.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_25.jpg

The front was given a faux finish to make the wood look rustic, the pictures really don't look anything like the real thing, but you get the idea.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/build_26.jpg

I'll post updates as they happen.

Enjoy!

Louis

[Bill S]

Lookin' GOOD Louis - it's about time you got that tank set up!

[Louis]

You're tellin me! It's been a while, but I'm so happy with the outcome, a little extra time and effort really pays off!

I'll probably build the refuguim stands this weekend and run the plumbing to tie them in to the main system. I plan on using 3x30g longs. I'll post more pics soon!

Louis

[LoneStar]

Awesome Louis! Its been a long time coming :)

[hobogato]

looks great - cant wait to see it up and running!

[seamonkey2]

well done Louis

Jose

[alteredego]

Great job on that install. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to put the tank in the garage and cut a hole in my house... I do have one question. Where will the chiller sit? Be sure to post a pic of the background or aquascape when completed. Or will the background be a red chevy s10? Right now mine is a messy garage, but no matter how messy i get it, it just doesn't look natural.

[Ed]

Very Nice!

Awesome job Louis! 8)

[Louis]

Thanks for the compliments!

Alteredego: The refugium stand has not been built yet. I will be using three 30g longs for fuge, growout, and new stock quarantine, respectively. The chiller will go under this stand and plumbed in to the system. As much as I love the S10 background I will resolve the issue with aquascaping. I plan to scape the tank with a horseshoe design in the center and a slope on each side. I'll post pics of the design later tonight. If done right the tank will look like a rock wall on either side. More to come, stay tuned!

Louis

[Triggerman]

looks great louis...

[z28pwr]

Good Job Louis.

One thing to keep in mind is that you will probably need a chiller since the tank is in the garage and in the summer your garage will probably be atleast at 90 degrees on those really hot days.


As Borat would say.

NICE... Very Nice..

[Mr_Cool]

Louis, you really ARE the man. I knew you could talk the talk. Looks like you walk the walk, too. Nice work! I want one.

[sharkboy]

Way to go Louis, nice work...looks pretty familiar :)

[LoneStar]

So what are you planning to keep in there?

[matt]

Excellent thread; thanks for posting, Louis! Looks like it will be a great tank.

[Louis]

The refugium will be designed to fit in the space to the left of the 215g. They will be 30G Long aquariums plumbed in to the main system.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/fuge.jpg

The aquascaping will look something like this from the top down

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/aquascape.jpg

Hopefully I'll have some pics of the real thing this weekend.

Enjoy!

Louis

[rocketeer]

Awesome! :D

You're gonna love it.

Jack

[jrnannery]

Very well done.

[Texreefer]

Welcome to the "i cut a hole in a wall and put a tank in the garage" Club :innocent

[Louis]

Some of the rock work has been completed. Here's the start of the aquascaping:

First step is to select nice stackable rock and drill holes into them
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_01.jpg

Time to start stacking
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_02.jpg

With the support rod in place
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_03.jpg

Reposition for sturdyness and secure
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_04.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_05.jpg

Cut supports to length
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_06.jpg

Some finished columns
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_07.jpg

And finally some shots of it in the tank.
Left Side
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_08.jpg

Right Side
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_09.jpg

Front Shot
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_10.jpg

Angled View
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_11.jpg

More to come, stay tuned!

Louis

[ansonluna]

****!! Who's the guy with the red hat and the dead sexy arms? Ay, papi!! :P

[villjr]

I think he's the same guy who almost drilled a hole in his hand and foot!!

[Louis]

There are pics of those sexy kicks of yours as well, Ernest!

[Louis]

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/shoes.jpg

[villjr]

Must be Carlos. Can't miss mine.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/villjr/DSC00347.jpg

[LoneStar]

Looking great Louis! I really like the acrylic rod aquascaping. Brings a new dimension to it.

[Mr_Cool]

Louis,

Is that an appoxy that holds the acrylic rod to the rock? Aquascaping looks awesome.

So, how many lbs. of liverock is that anyway?

[Louis]

I'm not exactly sure how much is in the tank now, but I have a total of around 270lbs. I think we've used about half of the rock in my curing tub. I used a marine grade epoxy to help stabalize the rocks.

[cbianco]

Sorry Louis but I was asleep at the wheel. I totally missed this thread over the holiday.

Your tank build is looking awsome, you're doing a great job. I am looking forward to some updates, especially of your rockwork.

Let's see them pictures!

Christopher :)

[ReefOne]

awesome build Lou! I'm gonna have to check out his bad boy once you get it all done.

[Marlin]

Where do you get the acrylic rod?

[Louis]

Any plastic supply house should carry it. I bought mine from Allied Plastics.

[Louis]

Here's the finished rock work. The tank is a tiny bit cloudy but I'll snap more pics once it clears up.

Front
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_13.jpg

Back
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_12.jpg

More to come... Enjoy!!!

[villjr]

Sweet! I'll have to come check it out sometime this week.

[ansonluna]

It looks freaking sweet in person...

[cpreefguy]

Man Louis that looks NICE!!!
I cant wait to see it all stocked!

[brewercm]

You can also use those rods that come with blinds for doing the work. Not sure if its cheaper or not but possibility.

[cbianco]

Marlin

You asked - Where do you get the acrylic rod?

Plastic clothes hangers work too. Just cut the long piece on the bottom and salvage whatever you can from the top.

Louis

The tank looks great. I like the open and elevated rockwork. One question, where is the sand? Don't make me come over there with sand! :lol

Keep up the great work!

Christopher

[Louis]

I have a few hundred pounds of sand from my old system, the question is weither or not its going into the 215 -=X

More pics later tonight.

Louis

[seamonkey2]

yeah baby, the whole pillar thing is great

well done Luis, even if you had some questionable help from a "big gun" owner wearing a red hat LOL

very nice indeed

Jose

[TexasTodd]

Sweet Louis! Thanks for the thread. I missed it somehow!

Cool aquascape.

Todd

[dfowlks]

Louis that tank is awesome. You are my inspiration.

[Louis]

Thank you for all the compliments!!

More pics as promised:

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_14.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_15.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_16.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_17.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_18.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_19.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_20.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_21.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_22.jpg

Enjoy!

Louis

[Louis]

Some non-cloudy shots from tonight:

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_23.jpg

DVD for scale - Black Hawk Down (Copperbands all time fave)
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_24.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_25.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_26.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_27.jpg

Enjoy.

[cpreefguy]

Wow, that is awesome. Now get some corals in there!

[villjr]

Looks good! Now we need to start that fish list over again. How many large angels do you think you can get in there?

[josephatmbimortgage]

Look fantastic...!!! Great job and the dedication payed off. It's going to look " Sick" whe nyou get corals and fish in there. I can picture a bad *** angel in that tank already and some tri - color Acroporas.

-Joseph ps. can I call you to build one in my future house??

[Louis]

The tank is coming along nicely. I'll start working on a fish list tonight.

Joseph, call or come by the shop any time, we're more than happy to help you setup an in-wall of your own!

Louis

[Louis]

A quick update --

Livestock:
2x Yellow Tangs
1x Sailfin Tang
1x Scopas Tang
1x Purple Tang
1x Powder Brown Tang
1x Copperband Butterfly
2x Percula Clown
2x Cleaner Shrimp
1x Green Bubble Anemone

Here's a video that shows most of them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZQDTlid_fE

Enjoy!

[LoneStar]

Looks good Louis


....funny....I played that same song on my crystal glasses filled with water last night :lol

[Louis]

The light rack:

This is my light rack concept sketch, it is built to hold 2xLuminarc III reflectors for 400w Hamilton 14k bulbs and 2x6' VHO Super Actinics.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/light_rack_01.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/light_rack_02.jpg

I'll have pics of the finished project tomorrow, it is about 80% complete.

Enjoy!

[DaBird47]

I really like the 'scaping...looks kinda surreal...

[oceancube]

man louis that is really cool how yall did the rockwork, tank looks great, hope it goes well for you dude, btw how you likin that flow from the mini maxistreams:):):)

[Louis]

I really like the 'scaping...looks kinda surreal...
The goal was to give the fish plenty of swimming room. They seem to enjoy it.



man louis that is really cool how yall did the rockwork, tank looks great, hope it goes well for you dude, btw how you likin that flow from the mini maxistreams:):):)
The Maxi-Streams provide a TON of flow. I really want to put some sand in the tank but with all the flow I may have to use some large grained sand which I really dont care for.

I hope to have the new light rack going by the end of the week, I'll post my progress.

Thanks for looking!

Louis

[erikharrison]

Looks good Louis


....funny....I played that same song on my crystal glasses filled with water last night :lol
LMAO Hilarious!


I love that setup man the fish really seem to like going in and out through the rocks, that's really nice!

[Bill S]

Louis, I REALLY think you should consider 3 fixtures... When mine has only 2 lights on, it's not enough for good coverage.

[Louis]

Looks good Louis


....funny....I played that same song on my crystal glasses filled with water last night :lol
LMAO Hilarious!


I love that setup man the fish really seem to like going in and out through the rocks, that's really nice!

I'm going to have to get me one of those glass harmonica's and play the song live & unplugged! ;)

Thanks Erik


Louis, I REALLY think you should consider 3 fixtures... When mine has only 2 lights on, it's not enough for good coverage.

The only issue is that I have the standard 215 with the enormous glass center brace. The area looks pretty well covered with my spider reflectors but I think the luminarcs will probably increase that at least 2 fold. I do have room for another fixture in my light rack but I haven't decided for sure if I will add another, I dont want to waste electricity on a third halide if the majority of its intensity is blocked by my center brace. What do you think? Ever put a light over a thick center brace?


love the rock work man, tank is coming along great!

Thanks Brian, it's been a long time coming, I've been piecing this project together for about 2 years now. I'm really enjoying this tank and it's not even close to being finished. It sure has been nice building one on this scale for myself rather than for a customer.


Here's my list of things to do:
Finish building stand for 3x30G Refugium/Grow-Out/Isolation Tanks
Setup Pete Dual Chamber Calcium Reactor
Setup 1/2HP Pacific Coast Chiller/Heater
Find light rack mounting solution (either bicycle lift or sliding closet rollers)
Setup auto top off and water change station
Buy DJ Rackmount Power Center and cleanup wires

Thanks for sharing my tank with me. Any questions/ideas/comments/suggestions are welcomed.

Louis

[Bill S]

That's right, Louis. I guess that's why I have a BRICK! If you keep the brace clean, it would work. I CAN tell you that I have 3-400w DE pendants over mine, and when a ballast went out, I had a REAL hard time covering the whole tank. Mikey had all 4 pendants on it when he had it.

[Louis]

I'm going to add a place for a third pendant to the rack, weither or not I actually go out and buy a third luminarc/ballast/bulb is still up in the air. I'm thinking a 250w would suffice but its always good knowing that the option is available.

After some research it looks like the mini luminarc would fit in between the two L3's just fine. I also want to put some moonlights on the rack so I have added that as well, here's what I came up with...

Top view showing third Luminarc Mini
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/light_rack_04.jpg

Bottom view with moonlights
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/light_rack_03.jpg

Louis

[LoneStar]

The light rack looks great Louis. Very similar to the one I've been tinkering with for awhile:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/75g%20Build/lightrack4.jpg

I'm going to change the way the VHO's mount and user longer ones. Plus I'm going to add a bunch more LED moonlights.

[Louis]

Nice rack Mike :pics Are you using the large Luminarcs or the mini versions? Does your tank have a center brace?

[LoneStar]

I'm either going to use the full size Lumenarcs or make similar ones. I have a 156g Oceanic 5 x 2 x 2 foot. The old center brace was removed (due to it cracking) and was replaced with a acrylic one. The acrylic one has a hole in the center of it that the center reflector can go through ;)

Give me and my rack a few weeks, and we will drop by your shop to order some goodies :)

[Louis]

Give me and my rack a few weeks, and we will drop by your shop to order some goodies :)

Sounds good, I'll be here!

[Louis]

Update:

The old plans of my refugium setup just wasn't doing it for me, so I made some new ones...

Front Side
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/refugium_02.jpg

Back Side
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/refugium_01.jpg

[Louis]

The light rack is finished!

I decided to suspend the rack from a pocket door rail to move it out of the way when I need to get into the tank. I can also raise and lower it by adjusting the chain.

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/finished_rack_02.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/finished_rack_03.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/finished_rack_04.jpg

And the results of L3 reflectors...

Here's a before:
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_26.jpg

After:
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/finished_rack_01.jpg

Enjoy!

Louis

[cpreefguy]

Wow! Looks great! It really is amazing how much more reflectivity you get from the Lumenarcs

[erikharrison]

I need some (cheap) sunglasses to look at the bottom pic OH YEAH! (who got the cheap sunglasses thing?)

[Louis]

I got my VHO's hooked up! (Thanks Will!)

Setting the mood:
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/actinic_01.jpg

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/actinic_02.jpg

I'll take some pics tomorrow with the MH & VHO.

Enjoy!

Louis

[Louis]

As promised a comparison of my lighting, before and after.

2x400w Hamilton 14k in Spider Reflectors
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/rock_26.jpg

2x400w Hamilton 14k in Luminarc III Reflectors
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/finished_rack_01.jpg

2x400w Hamilton 14k in Luminarc III Reflectors w/ 2x72" VHO Super Actinics
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/finished_rack_05.jpg

And Actinic Only
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/actinic_02.jpg


As you can see photography is not my strong point, but here are some fish pics!

Copperband Butterfly & Cleaner Wrasse
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/fish_01.jpg

Sohol, Sailfin & Copperband
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/fish_03.jpg

The reason I wanted a large reef tank:
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/fish_04.jpg

Another of Mr. Emperor
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/fish_02.jpg

[villjr]

The emperor is sweet!

[Bill S]

Wait a minute... You put ALL of that lighting in, and you have an ANGELFISH??? No corals?

[ansonluna]

ha ha! Thats how we roll SON....large angels in full reef set-ups. It can be done....don't listen to the nay-sayers.

[Louis]

I plan on a SPS dominated tank and maybe an LPS here and there (if Mr. Emperor doesn't feel like eating them) but this tank revolves around the angel ;)

Just wait till I add my Queen :innocent

More to come, stay tuned!

Louis

[jc]

I want a large angel for my 180! I had a juvenile emperor that at some softies so I sold him. What angels do you keep ansonluna? What angels would you all suggest for a mixed reef tank?

[ansonluna]

Well I had to give up my zoas. I have an SPS dominated tank. The zoes are now in my fuge. I have a juvi emperor. You do have to make sacrifices to keep a large angel. But Lou's tank will be our greatest success I believe. 1) keeping more than one large angel in a tank 2) keeping a full reef set-up with large angels.

Also, I am the only human supporting his bare-bottom-ness....that I know of.

[LoneStar]

bare bottom is the way to go!

[Louis]

The Beast, I mean refugium stand, has been built. This thing is a monster!

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/refugium_03.jpg http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/refugium_05.jpg

I think I'm going to need a ladder.... :D
http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/refugium_04.jpg

The third tank still needs to be drilled, I'll try to do that tomorrow...
For now I have to putty, sand and paint this thing, stay tuned!

Louis

[DaBird47]

wow Louis, looking really great! Have you thought about removable black acrylic panels for the back? just wondering since I can tell you have really put a lot of forethought into this great reef...Danny

[Louis]

I haven't really thought much about the background. I would like something that is easily removed since I spend alot of time on the garage side of the tank. Maybe some 1/8" Black Acrylic attached with Velcro? Hopefully by this weekend I can have the fuges up and running.

Louis

[LoneStar]

you need more than a ladder...you need a catwalk in the attic!

[villjr]

Looks good Lou!

[mathias]

looks like your attic access ladder is in the way of the tank.... time to cut a new one :)

[erikharrison]

There is a plastics place on Walzem (?) and I can't quite remember the name, but you know those plastic signs you see on telephone poles that people were going apes*** over a few years back?
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3370/signshow1cs3.gif (http://imageshack.us)
They sell it for something like 5 dollars for a plywood sized (4x8?) piece.
It does come in black...
Ok its on RITTIMAN, I looked it up (ooglegay)
heres the link
http://www.regal-plastics.com/l_sa.htm

[Louis]

you need more than a ladder...you need a catwalk in the attic!
*Adding catwalk to list of things to buy!


Looks good Lou!
You really need to see this thing in person, its enormous!


looks like your attic access ladder is in the way of the tank.... time to cut a new one :)
If I slide the lighting forward I can still get into my attic. I was pretty lucky that I dont have to move the ladder.


http://www.regal-plastics.com/l_sa.htm
Erik, thanks for the link! I'll call regal and see what they can do for me.

[Louis]

I haven't had much time to work on anything recently but I found a decent FTS. This pic was taken on a family members Sony DSLRA100 (Very cool camera!).

http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/fts_01_sm.jpg
Click for high quality version (1,102KB). (http://www.aquatichousesa.com/diy/fts_01.jpg)

9 of my 10 fish can be seen in this image, can you find them all?

More updates to come soon, I hope!

Enjoy,
Louis

[LoneStar]

9 of my 10 fish can be seen in this image, can you find them all?


Piece of cake! PLUS I found Waldo too. BOO YA!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/louistank.jpg

[RonR.]

very, very nice job!!!!!!!!!!

[Louis]

HAHA! I thought I saw Waldo in there!

Thank you RonR.

Louis

[Texan]

That is one beautiful tank! I love the layout of the rocks, time + effort = great rewards!

I'm sitting here looking at my empty 75 as I type. :cry

[DaBird47]

any updates Louis?...

[cbianco]

How long you gonna make us wait for an UPDATE?

:angel:

Christopher

[Louis]

So much has changed.... Let me work on some photos and I'll update this thread ;)