How Far Should Tank Be From Wall Behind?

irishmarine · 02/12/2018, 09:58 PM

Hi

Getting a new 120G tank for my office. Was wondering how far off the back wall should a tank be without looking too bad? ie I don’t want a big gap off the wall it’ll look bad

jamie1981 · 02/12/2018, 10:03 PM

Just enough for plumbing and access to a outlet if it's behind the tank. Hopefully it's a GCFI outlet also.

ReefTankHunter · 02/12/2018, 10:06 PM

For me, I like to stay 4" to 6" away.Reason being for wires to be run.. But more importantly, If you have sheet rock wall,the salt creep will eat your wall. I have seen it done.

Ruu · 02/12/2018, 10:19 PM

Because I'm running parallel to the floor joists, one of which is nicely notched, my structural engineer recommended pulling the tank out a little further to sit on the additional support that we added. That put me about a foot out from the wall, and honestly unless you are right at the side of the tank you wouldn't really notice. It is a relatively short wall, with limited viewing opportunities to the sides though, so your mileage may vary.

Dave

shellsea · 02/12/2018, 10:24 PM

I am moving my 120 so it will be a tad more than 12 inches from the wall. More room for ato and dosing containers etc. then I have 12 inch kitchen cabinets to slide in and out that block the view from side.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jamie1981 · 02/13/2018, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefTankHunter

For me, I like to stay 4" to 6" away.Reason being for wires to be run.. But more importantly, If you have sheet rock wall,the salt creep will eat your wall. I have seen it done.

If your getting salt creep on the wall it is not set up properly.

Reefpuck · 02/13/2018, 12:14 PM

I only have a few inches. Only downside is I had to replace the main return line (pcv)...and getting my arm/hand back there to cut/remove it was a pain in the rear. I still like it as flush to the wall as possible...just for looks.

irishmarine · 02/13/2018, 06:31 PM

How much is too much tank for the floor joists to be ok? Ground floor situation

irishmarine · 02/13/2018, 08:23 PM

People will be walking into my office with a straight on side view of the tank so the minimum for me the better in the gap behind the wall. Non aquarists are not into seeing cables and pipes and just want to take in the beauty of what you have
That’s just my take on it

nycman · 02/13/2018, 09:33 PM

House of Fins in Greenwich, CT suggests no less than 5"...I agree.

irishmarine · 02/13/2018, 09:38 PM

Good to have a professional opinion on this!
What about from a side wall?
This tank is going into a position in a corner with a rear and side wall

golfish · 02/13/2018, 09:46 PM

If heat could be an issue, an exterior wall can make it worse. Just saying

irishmarine · 02/13/2018, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfish

If heat could be an issue, an exterior wall can make it worse. Just saying

Good point
I think because this office does get warm in summer I’ll be getting a chiller for sure

ca1ore · 02/13/2018, 09:48 PM

I guess it depends on what you want to put back there. If something like a vortech or an external overflow box then 5" nominally. Otherwise I can see no reason for more than an inch or two.

irishmarine · 02/13/2018, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I guess it depends on what you want to put back there. If something like a vortech or an external overflow box then 5" nominally. Otherwise I can see no reason for more than an inch or two.

This is what I would have thought too

Like I said people walk into my office and will be staring at the side of the tank as they come in the door
But facing it when they sit
So I wanted to keep the gap to a minimum unless absolutely needed

Misled · 02/14/2018, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Otherwise I can see no reason for more than an inch or two.

Mine is about an inch. Has been for over 10 years. Hasn't been a problem.

Bent · 02/14/2018, 07:52 AM

Mine is shoved right up against the wall. The plumbing is run through the wall.

ca1ore · 02/14/2018, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misled

Mine is about an inch. Has been for over 10 years. Hasn't been a problem.

Exactly ...... and likewise

Just another example of over-thinking things IME.

d0ughb0y · 02/14/2018, 09:43 AM

if your red sea tank has nothing behind it, no plumbing, no on tank attachment, etc. then you can put it flush against the wall if you want to. perhaps you should have phrased your question specific to your tank so you don't get generic answers from people with different tank setup than yours. Or your best bet is to just email red sea.

irishmarine · 02/14/2018, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

if your red sea tank has nothing behind it, no plumbing, no on tank attachment, etc. then you can put it flush against the wall if you want to. perhaps you should have phrased your question specific to your tank so you don't get generic answers from people with different tank setup than yours. Or your best bet is to just email red sea.

I have two tanks, in the midst of purchasing a second, unlike the Red Sea tank I don’t believe it to have any plumbing at the back
I don’t think Red Sea or a manufacturer are the ultimate knowledge on this subject, I just wondered people’s thoughs and if they felt one way or another a certain distance was needed or not

Good to get the different opinions

ca1ore · 02/14/2018, 12:24 PM

The only credible reason I can think of for keeping a bit of a gap is to account for the wall being out of plumb. When my tank is perfectly level, the gap between the wall and the tank is 1/2" less at the top than it is at the bottom. My house is old and everything has settled.

HBtank · 02/14/2018, 12:33 PM

Enough for your piping/overflow, with an 1/2-1" of actual gap.

ReefTankHunter · 02/14/2018, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamie1981

If your getting salt creep on the wall it is not set up properly.

Go ahead, set up your tank right up against the wall with an open top. I don't care how you set it up, it damage your wall.

Valentini89 · 02/14/2018, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefTankHunter

Go ahead, set up your tank right up against the wall with an open top. I don't care how you set it up, it damage your wall.

I agree. My 26g produces enough that it has covered the wall directly above AND a bit below the top of the tank. Not only that but the lid to the tank is covered as well as my carbon reactor, biopellet reactor and top of my heater. I keep saying I'm going to clean the wall. I'm not worried about damage though because it's a thick slat wood wall.

Bent · 02/15/2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefTankHunter

Go ahead, set up your tank right up against the wall with an open top. I don't care how you set it up, it damage your wall.

Mine is fine. You guys do realize latex paint is pretty water resistant right?

I’m sure everyone here showers daily. The steam from the shower every day exposes your walls to more moisture than you tank ever could.

02/12/2018, 09:58 PM	#1
irishmarine Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA, USA Posts: 86	How Far Should Tank Be From Wall Behind? Hi Getting a new 120G tank for my office. Was wondering how far off the back wall should a tank be without looking too bad? ie I don’t want a big gap off the wall it’ll look bad __________________ Red Sea Max 650 (180G) Reef tank Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 650 (180G), T5 (800w), 2x250 Maxspect Gyre, Refugium

02/12/2018, 10:24 PM	#5
shellsea Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Destin, Fl. Posts: 479	I am moving my 120 so it will be a tad more than 12 inches from the wall. More room for ato and dosing containers etc. then I have 12 inch kitchen cabinets to slide in and out that block the view from side. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Jack "Shellsea" 120 mixed reef, Reef Breeder Photon 48, Apex and a proud owner of a Lifereef Skimmer

02/13/2018, 12:14 PM	#7
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	I only have a few inches. Only downside is I had to replace the main return line (pcv)...and getting my arm/hand back there to cut/remove it was a pain in the rear. I still like it as flush to the wall as possible...just for looks. __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

02/13/2018, 06:31 PM	#8
irishmarine Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA, USA Posts: 86	How much is too much tank for the floor joists to be ok? Ground floor situation __________________ Red Sea Max 650 (180G) Reef tank Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 650 (180G), T5 (800w), 2x250 Maxspect Gyre, Refugium

02/13/2018, 08:23 PM	#9
irishmarine Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA, USA Posts: 86	People will be walking into my office with a straight on side view of the tank so the minimum for me the better in the gap behind the wall. Non aquarists are not into seeing cables and pipes and just want to take in the beauty of what you have That’s just my take on it __________________ Red Sea Max 650 (180G) Reef tank Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 650 (180G), T5 (800w), 2x250 Maxspect Gyre, Refugium

02/12/2018, 10:03 PM	#2
jamie1981 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 308	Just enough for plumbing and access to a outlet if it's behind the tank. Hopefully it's a GCFI outlet also.

02/12/2018, 10:06 PM	#3
ReefTankHunter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 392	For me, I like to stay 4" to 6" away.Reason being for wires to be run.. But more importantly, If you have sheet rock wall,the salt creep will eat your wall. I have seen it done.

02/12/2018, 10:19 PM	#4
Ruu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 1,037	Because I'm running parallel to the floor joists, one of which is nicely notched, my structural engineer recommended pulling the tank out a little further to sit on the additional support that we added. That put me about a foot out from the wall, and honestly unless you are right at the side of the tank you wouldn't really notice. It is a relatively short wall, with limited viewing opportunities to the sides though, so your mileage may vary. Dave

02/13/2018, 09:33 PM	#10
nycman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 199	House of Fins in Greenwich, CT suggests no less than 5"...I agree. __________________ 72x26x24 Miracles rimless with ReefSavvy ghost overflow 4xMitras LX7206 / Lifereef sump, skimmer and fuge 302 Aquatics algae scrubber / JBJ 1/3 HP Chiller Aqua UV 28W

02/13/2018, 09:38 PM	#11
irishmarine Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA, USA Posts: 86	Good to have a professional opinion on this! What about from a side wall? This tank is going into a position in a corner with a rear and side wall __________________ Red Sea Max 650 (180G) Reef tank Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 650 (180G), T5 (800w), 2x250 Maxspect Gyre, Refugium

02/13/2018, 09:46 PM	#12
golfish Team RC Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Alta Loma, Ca Posts: 6,776	If heat could be an issue, an exterior wall can make it worse. Just saying __________________ grow em, frag em, trade em... Current Tank Info: TOTM curse

02/13/2018, 09:48 PM	#14
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I guess it depends on what you want to put back there. If something like a vortech or an external overflow box then 5" nominally. Otherwise I can see no reason for more than an inch or two. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/14/2018, 07:52 AM	#17
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Mine is shoved right up against the wall. The plumbing is run through the wall. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

02/14/2018, 09:43 AM	#19
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	if your red sea tank has nothing behind it, no plumbing, no on tank attachment, etc. then you can put it flush against the wall if you want to. perhaps you should have phrased your question specific to your tank so you don't get generic answers from people with different tank setup than yours. Or your best bet is to just email red sea.

02/14/2018, 12:24 PM	#21
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	The only credible reason I can think of for keeping a bit of a gap is to account for the wall being out of plumb. When my tank is perfectly level, the gap between the wall and the tank is 1/2" less at the top than it is at the bottom. My house is old and everything has settled. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/14/2018, 12:33 PM	#22
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	Enough for your piping/overflow, with an 1/2-1" of actual gap. __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA