Going inwall...front access ideas?

110galreef · 09/19/2010, 07:11 PM

i am planning a 60l x 36d x 24h tank. Considering 42"d too.

anyway even with 36"d i may not be able to reach the front bottom of the tank. With 42..doubtful. Any one know if it is reachable?

So anyone know of ideas or have pics to have front access yet stilll have a very clean front wall side? Or if I need the access?

Thanks

julie180 · 09/19/2010, 07:35 PM

I saw a guy put on a scuba mask to get to the front of his tank once. A little dramatic, but I guess if you have to.

110galreef · 09/19/2010, 07:52 PM

This tank is a liitle small for getting into!

E46er · 09/19/2010, 08:21 PM

you could put cabinet style doors above the tank...................

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 07:08 AM

I don't think I want that look? Plus if i do I think I'd want it one solid front piece acces, so no light shines out thru separate sections.

Uncle Salty 05 · 09/20/2010, 07:14 AM

These things work pretty well. You can add an extenision if needed.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=13942

sullyfish · 09/20/2010, 07:21 AM

Here is a link to a tank by SERVO with front access provided by an oak panel that opens with a piano hinge and hidden very well. I happen to b e doing my 180 inwall in a similar way.

go to page three for pics/description

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=574147

Foxface210 · 09/20/2010, 07:24 AM

I have an in-wall tank and it's next to impossible to reach the bottom without tongs of some sort. I can tell you all the things I would have done different...

Are you thinking a picture frame look or cabinet doors like what was mentioned above?

I have the cabinet doors and if I could do it again, I would have made a removable section above the front of the tank. Access from the back isn't bad but Murphy's law says you'll need access to the front every time you want to do something in the tank.

cilyjr · 09/20/2010, 07:34 AM

here is what i did. it is a 180 and the lights are on tracks and can be pulled forward into the finished for rear access or back into the fish room for frontal access

cilyjr · 09/20/2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 110galreef

Plus if i do I think I'd want it one solid front piece acces, so no light shines out thru separate sections.

i solved this problem by tacking a small piece of 1x2 to one of the doors. this door needs to be closed first. you are right to be concerned about light bleed through solving that took some thought. light will bleed through the slightest cracks so the doors need to be tight fitting. i also tacked a felt strip around the doors to stop the last little bit i missed

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sullyfish

Here is a link to a tank by SERVO with front access provided by an oak panel that opens with a piano hinge and hidden very well. I happen to b e doing my 180 inwall in a similar way.

go to page three for pics/description

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=574147

Man that is awesome....Maybe just the ticket!

Thanks for the find!

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cilyjr

here is what i did. it is a 180 and the lights are on tracks and can be pulled forward into the finished for rear access or back into the fish room for frontal access

That looks really good to. Do you like the tank being set back a little like that. I was originally planning making the front of the tank flush with the wall infront. Not the back, However I have seen a few now that are set back in and like those as well.

cilyjr · 09/20/2010, 07:44 AM

i like that too. good idea on his part

cilyjr · 09/20/2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 110galreef

That looks really good to. Do you like the tank being set back a little like that. I was originally planning making the front of the tank flush with the wall infront. Not the back, However I have seen a few now that are set back in and like those as well.

it was really important for me to do that on advice from a friend that has an inwall. i wanted to be framed more like a window casing rather then a picture. i see the tank more as a small window into their world. not to mention it is a good place to set a wine glass when looking in!

kharmaguru · 09/20/2010, 07:49 AM

Servo's tank is pretty much the only way you could have front access without obviousness (trimwork is the access door). I have no front access on my inwall and it is a PITA at times. I have tongs and the long Kent scrapers (35") and lets not forget an algae magnet so I manage to keep the front glass nice and clean. A 36" or 42" deep tank is a PITA to manage (not to mention light) even when it's not in the wall...

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 07:49 AM

Thanks. Keep idea or pics comming as I need to get an idea of how to trim it as well!

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kharmaguru

Servo's tank is pretty much the only way you could have front access without obviousness (trimwork is the access door). I have no front access on my inwall and it is a PITA at times. I have tongs and the long Kent scrapers (35") and lets not forget an algae magnet so I manage to keep the front glass nice and clean. A 36" or 42" deep tank is a PITA to manage (not to mention light) even when it's not in the wall...

Yeah i really don't want to have to try and clean the acrylic from the back all the time. Yet want a very clean front look w/o knowing there is a huge access panel!

I am leaning towards an DIY LED for lighting and am also probably gonna sttick w/ 36" width as I think I have figured out lighting it effectivley w/ out going overboard on LEDS... 42" will just make it that much harder....

I think 120 3w LED will suffice. I can always add an extra 24 later if needed!

Foxface210 · 09/20/2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 110galreef

Thanks. Keep idea or pics comming as I need to get an idea of how to trim it as well!

What does the rest of the house have for trim? I matched mine to what was around my fireplace in the same room.

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxface210

What does the rest of the house have for trim? I matched mine to what was around my fireplace in the same room.

Currently it will be going into the basement....of which is just drywall & painted. I have yet to finish staining the concrete floor or add any trim so we can do about whatever.....

Any closer shots of the edges or info on ur top access?

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 08:04 AM

One idea I have had was to put some sort of thin metal frame where the access hole would go and the creat faux panel that would be attaced via rare earth magents to the steel lip. The faux panel would have the molding or trim so easily remove and when installed the edges would be covered......

Foxface210 · 09/20/2010, 08:13 AM

I'm obviously not a frequent poster on RC and I don't want to sidetrack your thread with my build thread but here's a link for you if you'd like to see how it was all done.
180 In-wall build

Here's the closest pic I have of the trim. I can snap some close ups if you want/need them for reference.

I have a 240 gal tall reef so this in wall was built as a FOWLR tank. The reason I mention the 240 is because it's deep and it is a total PITA to reach the bottom even with tongs. There's always something that can only be fixed by using your hands so my advice would be to stay clear of a really deep tank if you can. Don't get me wrong, I love my tanks but it is a pain to do anything near the bottom.

As for front access to the in-wall... I made four doors and I regret it. I like the look of it but access is a joke. The tank sits in the closet of the adjoining room so I have access from there but it always requires a ladder and patience. If I could do it over, I would have made the top portion of the tank, around the doors removable or put it on some type of piano hinge so the whole section could be lifted and I could have unrestricted access.

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 08:29 AM

how tall should the access opening be? 12" or bigger?

Foxface210 · 09/20/2010, 08:34 AM

Think about the height of your upper body. If you really want to get up and over the top of the tank... it's going to need to be tall enough to accommodate your shoulder, head and part of your upper body. (Every 'body' is different so... )

The hard part is balancing aesthetics with function .

110galreef · 09/20/2010, 08:36 AM

True.....I guess I'll make cutous & see how hard it is to squeeze in! lol

kharmaguru · 09/20/2010, 06:02 PM

Foxface you could probably make the door partition attached to one of the doors so when you open both you have the whole space. Incredible pieces of LR btw...

09/19/2010, 07:11 PM	#1
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	Going inwall...front access ideas? i am planning a 60l x 36d x 24h tank. Considering 42"d too. anyway even with 36"d i may not be able to reach the front bottom of the tank. With 42..doubtful. Any one know if it is reachable? So anyone know of ideas or have pics to have front access yet stilll have a very clean front wall side? Or if I need the access? Thanks

09/20/2010, 07:14 AM	#6
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	These things work pretty well. You can add an extenision if needed. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=13942 __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

09/20/2010, 07:34 AM	#9
cilyjr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,683	here is what i did. it is a 180 and the lights are on tracks and can be pulled forward into the finished for rear access or back into the fish room for frontal access __________________ Cls Current Tank Info: 180 inwall, 75 sump, 20lfrag, 3x lumen max elite w/250w radium 20k, recirc modded asm g-3, aqua controller apex,2x rw-20, 350lbs LR

09/20/2010, 07:44 AM	#13
cilyjr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,683	i like that too. good idea on his part __________________ Cls Current Tank Info: 180 inwall, 75 sump, 20lfrag, 3x lumen max elite w/250w radium 20k, recirc modded asm g-3, aqua controller apex,2x rw-20, 350lbs LR

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09/19/2010, 07:35 PM	#2
julie180 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raymore, MO Posts: 2,556	I saw a guy put on a scuba mask to get to the front of his tank once. A little dramatic, but I guess if you have to.

09/19/2010, 07:52 PM	#3
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	This tank is a liitle small for getting into!

09/19/2010, 08:21 PM	#4
E46er Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC Posts: 136	you could put cabinet style doors above the tank...................

09/20/2010, 07:08 AM	#5
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	I don't think I want that look? Plus if i do I think I'd want it one solid front piece acces, so no light shines out thru separate sections.

09/20/2010, 07:21 AM	#7
sullyfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 481	Here is a link to a tank by SERVO with front access provided by an oak panel that opens with a piano hinge and hidden very well. I happen to b e doing my 180 inwall in a similar way. go to page three for pics/description http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=574147

09/20/2010, 07:24 AM	#8
Foxface210 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Angier, NC Posts: 34	I have an in-wall tank and it's next to impossible to reach the bottom without tongs of some sort. I can tell you all the things I would have done different... Are you thinking a picture frame look or cabinet doors like what was mentioned above? I have the cabinet doors and if I could do it again, I would have made a removable section above the front of the tank. Access from the back isn't bad but Murphy's law says you'll need access to the front every time you want to do something in the tank.

09/20/2010, 07:49 AM	#15
kharmaguru Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oshawa, ON Posts: 125	Servo's tank is pretty much the only way you could have front access without obviousness (trimwork is the access door). I have no front access on my inwall and it is a PITA at times. I have tongs and the long Kent scrapers (35") and lets not forget an algae magnet so I manage to keep the front glass nice and clean. A 36" or 42" deep tank is a PITA to manage (not to mention light) even when it's not in the wall...

09/20/2010, 08:04 AM	#20
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	One idea I have had was to put some sort of thin metal frame where the access hole would go and the creat faux panel that would be attaced via rare earth magents to the steel lip. The faux panel would have the molding or trim so easily remove and when installed the edges would be covered......

09/20/2010, 08:13 AM	#21
Foxface210 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Angier, NC Posts: 34	I'm obviously not a frequent poster on RC and I don't want to sidetrack your thread with my build thread but here's a link for you if you'd like to see how it was all done. 180 In-wall build Here's the closest pic I have of the trim. I can snap some close ups if you want/need them for reference. I have a 240 gal tall reef so this in wall was built as a FOWLR tank. The reason I mention the 240 is because it's deep and it is a total PITA to reach the bottom even with tongs. There's always something that can only be fixed by using your hands so my advice would be to stay clear of a really deep tank if you can. Don't get me wrong, I love my tanks but it is a pain to do anything near the bottom. As for front access to the in-wall... I made four doors and I regret it. I like the look of it but access is a joke. The tank sits in the closet of the adjoining room so I have access from there but it always requires a ladder and patience. If I could do it over, I would have made the top portion of the tank, around the doors removable or put it on some type of piano hinge so the whole section could be lifted and I could have unrestricted access.

09/20/2010, 08:29 AM	#22
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	how tall should the access opening be? 12" or bigger?

09/20/2010, 08:34 AM	#23
Foxface210 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Angier, NC Posts: 34	Think about the height of your upper body. If you really want to get up and over the top of the tank... it's going to need to be tall enough to accommodate your shoulder, head and part of your upper body. (Every 'body' is different so... ) The hard part is balancing aesthetics with function .

09/20/2010, 08:36 AM	#24
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	True.....I guess I'll make cutous & see how hard it is to squeeze in! lol

09/20/2010, 06:02 PM	#25
kharmaguru Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oshawa, ON Posts: 125	Foxface you could probably make the door partition attached to one of the doors so when you open both you have the whole space. Incredible pieces of LR btw...