The wall must come down

[W Ellis]

[SSpiro]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[Emster]

How big you going? Thats going to be nice!

[W Ellis]

It measures 72"x36"x27"... 300 gallons. Its going to be a peninsula with the 2 long sides and 1 end in starfire. Its a slightly custom Perfecto tank.

[forddna]

sweet!!!!!

[Emster]

[blindskater02]

So when do i get to play with the sledge hammer?!?

[dmbedard]

WOW! I'm impressed : )

Diane

[adam82]

good luck bro. had me scared there selling all your corals.

[SSpiro]

Can't wait to get dirty

[W Ellis]

Thanks everyone. This has been a dream of mine since i got into the hobby.

No sledge hammers. But your more than welcome to come by tonight if you want. I think i may start the cutting and running the a/c duct to the back bedroom and running 2 dedicated circuits, 1 for the lights and 1 for pumps.

[SSpiro]

Doh, just noticed you're in St. pete. Too far away

[chrismhaase]

Billy,

I can't wait to see you undertake this project. I just helped a friend do this in Jacksonville. Here is the thread in case you want to look through it and see if you see anything that might add to your setup.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1324926

Also, here is a few things to consider based on our work we did.
1. Make sure you are not taking out a load bearing wall.
2. Electrical considerations - will you have to move wires and/or add new dedicated lines. <--I would recommend this.
3. Areas for filtration and the noise it will produce
4. Auto change features are nice. You will need access to a drain line or exterior wall.
5. Heat and humidity removal
6. Drywall repair - get someone who is good at this so you do not have patch marks that look horrible. You would not want a beautiful setup to have distractions that are preventable.
7. Lastly, viewing angles.

[chrismhaase]

I would also suggest you build your project on Google's Sketchup program. It is pretty easy to learn how to use it, it is free and it will also make you think of how things will come together. Or you can do it the old fashion way and draw it out. I would suggest either or so you know what you are undertaking.

Link: http://sketchup.google.com/

[Boxer_Crab]

Billy its gonna look great when its done keep us posted on the build.

[mlivvy]

Did a inwall for my mom a few years. Sledge hammered for hours! Good luck with the project. This shall be the awesomes.

chris, nice advice!

[blindskater02]

No sledge hammers???? Man I quit!! LOL! I dunno if I can stop by tonight I have to drop that tank off after 8 sometime. But if your home all day I might be able to swing by while I am out running some errands.

[chrismhaase]

Billy do you have a team together for this or is it going to be a complete DIY?

I love to watch these projects. Make sure to keep everyone up to date with pictures and great posts. Also, if you need help with man power and or tools I would ask. There are many people in this community with a ton of knowledge.

[W Ellis]

chrismhaase: Thank you for the imput. I remeber seeing that thread when you posted it. That turned out very nice.

1. The small wall is the only wall i have a little concern with. It is right under the peak of the house, but works case i will just leave the 2 corners. Im going to take it slow when take that wall out.
2. I have to run an a/c duct to the back bedroom, so at the same time i will be running 2 dedcated lines. 1 for the lights(220v) and 1 for the pumps. They is already 1 circuit there but id rather not use it if i dont have to.
3. I am only going to be using 1 dart for return so noise shouldnt be too bad from that. The skimmer i plan on using is super quiet too.
4. I am building a closet at the overflow end. It will house my ro/di, ro water can and saltwater can. The closet will be on a wall that has a shower on the other side so i am going to try to tie into the drain of it.
5. I am going to play the heat and humidity by ear. If it is an issue i may just vent it thru the ceiling and out the ridge vents.
6. I am remodeling the house myself. I hate doing drywall but i can do it. I decided to go ahead and do the tank now because i am ready to texture the houses original living room and figured it would be perfect timing to do it all at once.
7. The view will be unobstructed from the end and both long sides. 1 side is going to be in 1 living area, the other long side is going to be in the kitchen/dining area and will also be viewable from the houses original living area and the end is viewable between the 2 living areas. Its almost like this house was build for a tank like this.

I started to play with google sketchup. But i did draw it up on paper, then on the wall to make sure it will work. I have been thinking for the past 2 years how to make this work the best as possible and now its finally coming together.

I think i will probaly just make this my build thread and will keep it updated every step of the way.

[W Ellis]

blindskater02: I have to meet with my friend at 2 to do a walk through of his house he had built. But i should be home around 4.

Boxer_Crab and mlivvy thank you.

chrismhaase: I do not have a building team together. My schedule is so up in the air i planned on doing this when time is available. I do construction for a living so i have most of the tools i need. My girlfriend is even going to buy me a framing nail gun today to help the project along.

I will be accepting volunteers to help move the tank in when it arrives....lol

[BlueCoast]

SAWZALL SAWZALL SAWZALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man that looks like a fun project. I'm game to help if you need a hand. We have a pretty good assortment of toolage over here, air, saws, etc. would be happy to lend a hand if you need it! Great advice Chris, what this place is all about.

Good luck!

ps, run an ethernet cable for the controller.

[chrismhaase]

Originally posted by BlueCoast
SAWZALL SAWZALL SAWZALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man that looks like a fun project. I'm game to help if you need a hand. We have a pretty good assortment of toolage over here, air, saws, etc. would be happy to lend a hand if you need it! Great advice Chris, what this place is all about.

Good luck!

ps, run an ethernet cable for the controller.

Ditto, I have air compressors, framing guns, finishing guns, miter, skil ..... if you need it ask. Also I will be willing to help if needed. Any being a contractor I think you can best determine if you can pull out the wall or not. You might even be able to pull your homes prints at the county offices if you want.

Good luck, ask for help if you need it and post away!!

[chrismhaase]

PS -- good job on planning to do this at the right time and thinking through everything already. Many people don't make a PLAN. It seems you have one and thought through concerns already so good job to getting off to a good start.

[W Ellis]

Thanks. I will PM you guys if i need a hand or anything. I just picked up my framing nailer, should help things go a little quicker. I think the demo wil start friday night.

[BlitzK]

Demo is fun on the first few swings... its just work from there on out!