Help me build!

You already took out the railing...if it were me, I would go even further and cut back that base trim to where the tank stand will be, pull back the carpet and cut at the same place.

 

build with 2x6' joists, frame the "walls" of the stand with 2x4 16" centers, double stud at doors. frame it as you would a wall, then sheet rock it.

 

+1 to this if you didn't already buy those 4x4s.
You could even drywall is and make it the same color as your walls. are.

 

cut that linoleum flush with the wall with a long level/straightedge and a snap razor blade.. build the wall flush with the wall on the kitchen side. now do know that you need that post there or not? is it supporting a beam? like an inside supporting wall? also when you get the layout started, if you can access the crawlspace, you can place the mobile home jacks underneath with some treated boards to spread the load.

 

looking at the living room, dining, kitchen setup Id say those posts may be supporting. If you only knew which way your ceiling joists ran.. Is that the middle of the house looking from the living room, towards the kitchen? anyways, I would be inclined to wall up the top to the ceiling, sheet rock it. like a built in canopy.. and it separates the two rooms.. when you move, you can finish the wall on the kitchen side and turn the space into a bookcase/shelving for the living room.

 

First off congrats on setting up an awesome tank. As mentioned earlier remove all floor covering down to the subfloor materials. Build a knee wall to level of kitchen. Now stop and plan out everything else before you build. Your lighting type, sump size and equipment will determine your stand/canopy construction. Since this going to be an expensive endeavor take your time, plan and pay only once. Remember you can't stretch wood once it's cut.

 

The kitchen/tv room (carpet) is the rear of the house. The post is definitely supporting, I drilled a hole at the base and it was solid wood more than halfway through, with a few air gaps I could feel when I put my finger through.
Not sure which way the ceiling joists go, but the floor joists go parallel with where the tank will go. I bought some treated 2x10 and cut them in 14.5" sections to go perpendicular to the joists in the crawl space directly below where the stand will go. Whats the best way to secure these? I could put in screws in each side, but maybe some kind of metal bracket with nails would be better/more supportive?
Sounds like building up the base on the carpeted side to be level with the kitchen is the best way, which I think will be a 2x6 and a piece of plywood on top. I guess I only loose 7" of "vertical real estate" so thats not a big deal.
On one hand I like the idea of going from floor to ceiling with drywall, but now that I took the railing out we really like the open feel it gives, I know that will go away with the tank (even though we will be able to see through it) to some degree, but I think maybe having space above the tank might still allow for a little bit of open-ness feeling.
Our kitchen is tiny as is...We are looking to remodel the kitchen as well, I just wanted to start the project out with the important part!
I can always return the 4x4 posts so can still build out of anything, just looking for whatever is easiest, due to my lack of woodworking skills!

 

You could probably return the 4x4s. I think framing in the tank stand, just like you would for a room(but using 2x6), would be plenty strong. If you know how to do it properly, maybe frame it in like it is part of the "walls" or house.

 

this sounds interesting!

 

Very interesting - free beer to anyone who wants to come help build this with me # ; ) And by help me, I mean tell me exactly what to do and I "might" be able to do it!