Large tanks right up against the back wall

[tran383]

Does anyone have a large tank (300) flushed right up against the back wall? This would mean all the plumbing is done on the bottom of the tank. I would love to see some pictures of the plumbing pictures and or suggestions and ideas.

I want to do a 96x30x24, but my L shaped wall can only accommodate 108x34 so it would need to be a very clean fit. Thanks!

[mpoletti]

I don't have a 300, but my 180 is 4" off the back wall. Everything is plumbed underneath. You want to leave enough room back there so you can place your arm back there in case you ever need to.

[tran383]

Thanks Mark. Do you happen to have photos of what it looks like under the tank? I am always looking to see what cool things people are doing with their plumbing!

[RParker]

I have my 265 pretty close to the wall, I have 1ea 1.5" pipe running in a opening I made and insulated in the wall. The rest of the tank is plumbed underneath.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/RParker_07/Tank%20Build/IMG_2634.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/RParker_07/Tank%20Build/IMG_2632.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/RParker_07/Tank%20Build/IMG_2635.jpg

[JMaxwell]

My Tank is 40" tall and flush aganist the wall and surrounded by built in cabinetry. While the drain comes out the bottom of the overflow, the returns go up a chase in the wall. I wish I had another open chase for wiring. As it is, I can run some cords in the 1/2 between the wall and the tank proper. Wall board is easy to cut and cheap to replace/patch if you ever get rid of the tank. I'd strongly recommend cutting a couple of chases into the wall.

I used to have all my equipment under the tank, but that was such a pain that I plumbed it all out from under the tank to a shed against the outside wall. There are some pictures in my gallery, but nothing of the plumbing. there isn't much to see anyway. Its just a pipe going out the wall and another coming in with a UV in line.

- Jason

[SpacedCowboy]

If you do this, make sure you've got easy access to your overflows from the front, or place some netting/baffle over the top of the overflow.

Both (!) of my clown fishes seem to like to hop over into the overflow and swim around in there, and I have to net them to get them out again. With my setup, I can only really do that with access to the rear of the tank...

Simon

[dahenley]

i have a 240 (96 x 24 x 24) tank. it is up against a wall with 1/2 cabinetry. half the tank is covered, and the other half sticks out.
i will say DONT DO IT. if you run a powerhead in your 96" tank, you will be sorry. i have a wave maker on one side, and to put a powerhead in the middle, i have to run the cord across the top of the tank, then plug into one of those cheap 6' extension cords to make the rest of the way to my wave maker. the same goes for your lights. my ballasts are under my tank, (which will be moved soon! they take up too much room, and i would like to keep the heat out from under my stand. not to mention water and electricity dont mix) i have PFO ballasts which they dont make any more, so they don't make the extension cords for the ballasts. this means that i had to cut, and splice extensions to make the run. ir i would have just dropped them down behind the tank, i would be happy. one other thing is that if you have powerheads in your tank, you have no way to attach them other then suction cups. (suction cups are the devil!!!) also, with a little bit of room, you will allow air movement to escape below and travel up to the ceiling and allow better ventilation.

oh, and my build page is here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1603735
i am not the most experienced but i sure would have done things different on the next one. but that's just a learning curve and also due to being in a rush. (patience is a virtue)

[Engine8ff]

Here is a couple pictures of my 215. Note that I ran all the electrical equipment in the room behind the tank, ie: apex, 3-250 ballast, 660 T5 ballast, auto top off, and all storage containers and a frag tank system that is hooked to the main.
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/albemarle27/P8160375.jpg
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/albemarle27/P8160377.jpg
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/albemarle27/P8160378.jpg
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/albemarle27/P8160366.jpg

My next build will have its own fish/equipment room with the sump and all support equipment. I have a 40 gallon breeder for a sump and 2 reactors and there is no room of expansion, ie a larger skimmer, also I have a in sump return pump and would like to go external but I would have to redo the entire set up. Look at every build you can get your hands on and find out every negative on that tank. I love my system but it will change greatly on the next build. I love the stand and canopy look as the ends are open to enjoy we just put a couple book shelfs on the ends to break up the look a little. Good luck with your build