Tall 485 gallon in-wall build

[CrazyDiamond]

Hi All -

I have been recreationally keeping saltwater fish and corals (off and on) for about 15 years and finally the time has come to do a fairly large in-wall tank build in my home. I be setting up a 96x24x42 glass aquarium in the wall of an addition we are building on the back of the house. I have made a lot of progress so far with planning and will post some pics.

[CrazyDiamond]

Here is the aquarium.

[CrazyDiamond]

Here are some pics of the construction to build the addition onto the house. The addition is where the aquarium will be located.

[CrazyDiamond]

Room is framed

[chimmike]

Cool! Tall tank, hope you have some good grabbers!

[dave.m]

A tall thin tank like this is better suited to fish than corals. Are you aiming for a FOWLR?

Dave.M

[Zacktosterone]

If you havt purchased it I would fit sure go at least 36 front to back for that size of tank for corals

[CrazyDiamond]

Originally Posted by chimmike

Cool! Tall tank, hope you have some good grabbers!

yes - my arms only take me about half way down. I will need to find some long grabbers to reach the bottom.

[CrazyDiamond]

Originally Posted by dave.m

A tall thin tank like this is better suited to fish than corals. Are you aiming for a FOWLR?

Dave.M

Dave- I am not quite sure yet. Part of me wants to do some big show fish with 2 or 3 tall rock structures (lots of open space) for them to swim around. The other part of me wants to explore the possibilities of building some sort of a tall reef design.

I have always had corals- so, I will probably keep going back and forth on this until it is time to place the rock in the tank.

[CrazyDiamond]

Originally Posted by Zacktosterone

If you havt purchased it I would fit sure go at least 36 front to back for that size of tank for corals

Zacktosterone- Yes, perhaps if I had the aquarium special made, I may have gone deeper. However, I was able to get this tank from a buddy. So, the plan for this aquarium is to be flush in the wall with front access.

[CrazyDiamond]

Construction moving along...

[CrazyDiamond]

Getting there - sheetrock is in and the aquarium is going in next. More pics coming.

[CrazyDiamond]

Making progress

[CrazyDiamond]

Rented a lift. It took me, the contractor, the plumber plus his helper ALL to get the aquarium onto the stand and into the wall. Whew.... It looks great ! Looking forward to completing the plumbing and getting the sump into place. Ordered a custom acrylic MRC 72" x 20" x 18". Gonna try to run a reeflo snapper / dart as the primary return pump and the new Ecotech Vectra L1 for the closed loop. I have 2 internal overflows in the L and R rear corners and 2 pre drilled holes on the bottom glass for the closed loop.

[CrazyDiamond]

This sump is gonna be magnificent.

I asked MRC make the front out of clear acrylic and the back, bottom and sides out of white acrylic so I can more clearly see into the chambers of the sump. The sump deaign is basically a 72" long veraion of their bio chamber model sump. If I have the clearance under the tank, to get in there, I will look to place some equiptment in the sump. (Reactors, heators, etc.). There is a chamber for bio media. I think i will have to get an external skimmer due to height limitations under the tank and run it to one of the closets on the left or right of the tank.


There will be four 1.5" drain lines to allow me to use all 4 of my predrilled holes in the overflow configuration for drainage. The fifth predrilled hole will be plumbed as the intake for the closed loop running to the Vectra. With two 1.5" main drains and two emergency's, I should be able to get some fierce flow through the sump and filtration if I want. I am gonna install valves on the main drain lines and on the return, so I can tune the drains to match the return flow back from the snapper/dart pump and get the flow where I want it.

Return line will come up the side of the tank (in the closet) and over the top of the aquarium with a few lock line returns pointing in various directions. Still figuring out how to construct the closed loop returns. I may build them with 1" pvc through the sand / rock with T's pointing the flow all around to ensure no dead spots.....not sure if there is a better methodology on directing closed loop flow.... ?

If anyone has any ideas on how to design the closed loop flow on this tall boy, please share some ideas.


Let the plumbing begin !

[d-man]

Nice. Mine is 43"t but 32" d. It's a mixed reef. I love my dimensions, yes I have long grippers and can easily reach the bottom. The toughest part is applying the corals when I feel it is time to secure them. Since applying pressure is a challenge. Other than that my fish free swimming space is great and so is my aquascape for most corals. I even have clams at the bottom that granted only been 1.5months they've been in, are doing great.
Have fun and enjoy

[CrazyDiamond]

Thanks d-man. Your tank sounds sweet. I am looking forward to getting this one up and running very soon. Cheers

[CrazyDiamond]

Another shot of the tank in the wall before the plumbing goes in.

[CrazyDiamond]

Painting the inside of the stand with moisture resistant paint before the sump and plumbing goes in.

[CrazyDiamond]

I'm Kinda like a modern day Abe Lincoln working by 'candlelight' during the wee hours. Good thing My contractor left his extension cord and portable light. I really should get my electrician back up here to 'juice up' the room with some lights !

[dsailf28r]

Hey im looking for a similar tank. Where did you buy it?

[CrazyDiamond]

Dsailf28r-

Sorry; I did not buy it directly from a manufacturer; So I have no idea who made it. I got it from a buddy of mine. But, whoever built it is my hero. This aquarium is built like a TANK. The front glass is low iron & the glass that was used is super thick all the way around (commercial grade).

If you find someone who will make one out of glass like this (this size) for you, make sure it is commercial grade.

[CrazyDiamond]

Sump fits like a glove.

[CrazyDiamond]

Geeze Louise - Some tight working space underneath the aquarium, but I got all the major drain line plumbing worked out. Kinda felt like a mechanic working underneath a cadillac eldorado on my back for 4 hours. Nothing like a little pvc cement dripping straight onto the forehead.

Anyway, glad that phase is completed. (Or so I hope) I am filling it up tonight with fresh H20 and I'm gonna let the water sit for a few days ; hoping all my bulkheads and fittings are well sealed. Will probably wake up every 30 minutes thru the night to go check on it.

Fingers (and toes) crossed.

[CrazyDiamond]

Close up Pic with drain fittings cemented into sump