In Wall 250 Gallon Build

Hi All,

I am about to start on a 250 gallon in wall tank build. I am upgrading from my current 120, which I have had running for several years now. The process is going to take about 3 months to complete - mostly due to the construction around the tank...as opposed to the tank itself. I will use this thread to document the progress - from construction to completion. Will also use it to post questions on the process in the hope that I can get support from anyone who has been through this before. I will post lots of pictures as well along the way.

 

And...my first question...for anyone with an in wall - or has seen one....I like to run an open top tank. Was wondering what you coat the walls with on the tank side of the wall to prevent damage from salt spray, etc? Water and drywall are not a good mix...salt water and drywall are even worse. That much I know. Need to provide some suggestions to my contractor here in the next week or so.

 

Are you talking about on the inside or the outside as in the actual wall that you can see?

 

I built my in wall tank about 4 month ago and havnt got to the point of finishing the inside portion but i am planning to go with mold resistant drywall which i have used in the rest of my basement and either a high quality bathroom paint or even go with an exterior grade paint. If exterior grade paint is good enough for people by the ocean with all that salt spray hitting there houses it will be good enough for your fish tank.

 

Have you thought of using something like a rubber shower membrane? Was thinking of maybe going that route?

 

+1 my buddy had a 55 inwall and we used a clear shower curtain stapled to the wall. Wasn't the nicest looking thing in the world but it worked great.

 

I was hoping to use like neoprene and contact cement it down. Its all on the utility room side, so it does not have to be as "finished" as on the display side..but I do want it to look professional. Also thought about cement board and tile on the wet side....anyone have other thoughts?

 

Well, the process is slow going....but here is the tank being moved into the basement. This is not the room it is going in, but it gives you an idea of the size of the 250 DD tank. I like the tank dimensons 60x36x27 a lot, it is really unique, and it got a lot of attention at the LFS this week (They special ordered it for me, it arrived on Wednesday, but I could not pick it up until Saturday). It will be another 3-4 weeks before it is in the wall - then another week for final work in the basement - we are repainting the whole thing - I want all that done before I move my current 120 contents into this new tank. So stay tuned. I will post constrution pictures once they start working on the actual fish tank wall and stand.

 

pics?