Fish finder 210 in-wall build

Fishfinder · Mar 21, 2017

Hi everyone this is my first post here on R2R. After a couple months of prep and research it's finally time to start my build. First I must say thank you for all the help here. This is my first aquarium of any kind, I went big right out of the gate. I've been told that if I go small I'll want to upgrade. My tank is a 210 that I got from a friend getting out. It's 24x24x84, predrilled. We are very excited about it

Now for the build.... me and my girlfriend just bought a house and both decided that a tank would be good. Her only stipulation is that it can't have a big bulky stand around it she said, "something pretty like in the wall"
Hahaha so I waited for her to go to work and started building. The house has an open plan with the dining and kitchen together so this wall looked good.

I had a little issue with not being able to center the tank in the wall but I'll work around that.

She didn't want a big stand.... but this wall just happens to have a closet on the other side and the carpet is already pulled up to be replaced. My only problem is the closet won't fit a 7' tank and she is only at work for 5 hours. I better work fast! The closet is now framed out 2' longer.

And she's home.... we'll continue tomorrow

jsker · Mar 21, 2017

Well congratulations on the new home and the build.
If you have not cut those studs yet? Make sure that you are not cutting into a load barring wall. If that is a main barring wall make sure you use a proper header in the wall. Right now I would use no less then a 10 inch header to go above the tank and if it is a barring wall I would use a laminated 12" to 14" resting on two studs on either sides.

Fishfinder · Mar 21, 2017

I looked at the wall before I picked it. It is definitely not load bearing. Thanks for the heads up, that could be a huge issue if not done properly

tj w · Mar 21, 2017

Welcome! We are definitely glad to have you. Looks like you're off to a great start. My first tank is my 300g so I understand going big with your first one. I'll be following!

Fishfinder · Mar 21, 2017

More progress today! I got the hole cut from the dining room to the closet! I don't have pictures but I put a header up and put insulation in the wall to reduce noise. I also put outlets in the closet and made them GFCIs.

It looks way bigger in person

After that I got the drywall hung. Now it looks like a room again, she'll be happy.

Those are pictures on the closet side. I'm getting excited!! Hopefully I'll have water in the next week. I already have all my equipment, just need to finish the room out and build my stand

Daniel@R2R · Mar 22, 2017

Excited about this build! What's the equipment list you're working with?

revhtree · Mar 22, 2017

Awesome! Jumping in with both feet! HA!

Question? Will you be able to access the sides of the tank?

Fishfinder · Mar 22, 2017

I'll put up equipment list soon, haven't had time lol. Today I I've been busy building the stand.

And installing the RO/DI system

I wanted to get a jump on the water. More to come this afternoon!

Fishfinder · Mar 22, 2017

Had some distractions this afternoon. Other house chores got in the way. But I got the walls textured and the tank will be set tomorrow!!!!

CNDReef · Mar 22, 2017

Very nice , definitely will be worth it in the end

Kmore1219 · Mar 22, 2017

I must say this is the fastest build I've ever come across here, you are wasting no time with it.

Fishfinder · Mar 23, 2017

Last night I got the room repainted. Looks back to normal.

This morning I put the stand in and got it leveled. The stand is 2x6 beams with 2x8 legs, and 2x6 bracing around it. I also tied it to the wall.

This afternoon I should be able to get the tank set

we'll see how that goes.

Fishfinder · Mar 24, 2017

Busy last 2 days. Got the stand put in place, leveled it up, and braced it to the wall. Then I had to get that monster in the house. Picked up 5 good friends and off we went. After the struggle of unloading it, the tank fit perfectly in the wall!

Perfect! Fit like a glove!
After that I started laying the flooring back down.

This weekend I'll be working, but I'd like to get the sump area waterproofed and hopefully plumbed. Maybe even get the trim back up in the room.

More to come!!.......

Fishfinder · Mar 26, 2017

Should I be adding sand or rock to the tank first? I've seen varying opinions

Lynn52 · Mar 26, 2017

I like to add rock first, at least the base rock, so burrowing fish don't topple the rocks later.

bhavy · Mar 26, 2017

Great build
I did exactly the same thing with a sump room directly below in basement. Used 2 L1's for returns.
However I must say, your stand may be a bit undersized. You will have nearly 3,000lbs on that when done . I used LVL's (laminated beams) as a stand cut and put together with bolts. I also used the half wall to support the front 4 inches but tripled up studs in that wall. Just saying .... I'm no structural engineer but I did consult one when I designed mine!
A see through tank is fun!