Help this inept Diyer with a carpentry drywall issue!

[funkyrxman]

Hey guys. Here's my idea. I need to get through the hardwood on the built in bookcase and 5 or so inches of drywall to access a side of my tank. I want to use 2 mp60's on this end of the tank. So many questions. Will a stud finder work through solid wood? If I drill out 2 5 inch holes with a hole saw, can I the somehow create a plug of sorts with the drilled out wood and a grommet type thing to cosmetically mask the holes? I should be able to drill through the wood and the drywall without damaging the tank right? I'm nervous about screwing up the wood on the bookcase and invoking the wrath of my wife. Thanks aquatic homies.

 

[saltyphish]

Depends on how thick the wood is for the stud finder. I've used one to find studs through half inch plywood and it worked ok.

 

[Sleepydoc]

Use the stud finder on the other side of the wall (the side the tank is on.) Then you don't need to worry about the wood. The stud finder might work through the plywood wall of the bookcase, but it might be kind of dicey. The wall looks to be rather short, though. Odds are there is a stud in the corner and a stud at the outer edge and nothing else.

A hole saw will create a plug (with a hole in the middle.) While you could use it to plug the hole, cosmetically it wouldn't be great. I would use a jig saw with a fine tooth blade and cut a square/rectangular piece out. You can then frame it with ¾" x ⅛" moulding stained to match and put that in the hole. Would still stick out a bit, but not as much.

How much room is there between the wall and your tank? hole saws have a pilot bit in the middle that sticks out ¼~½" At bare minimum you stand a good chance of hitting and scratching/chipping the glass of the tank as you go through. Some bits let you remove the pilot bit, so you could start the hole and then remove the bit. You could still hit the tank with the outer saw part, though. Consider putting a thin sheet of plywood or better yet, sheet metal between the wall and the tank if you go ahead and do this.

All in all, I would either find a different place to put the MP40s or get some different power heads that are internal. Just my 2¢

 

[Awesome Dennis]

How thick is the Sheetrock between the tank/ built in? How is the tank trimmed into the Sheetrock? Maybe cut access from the front and make a decorative trim

 

[Katrina71]

I have used plastic wiring plugs in a similar way like a grommet. The kind used for countertops or computer desks.

 

[funkyrxman]

The wall shown between the bookshelf and the tanks is 7 inches. The tank is flush against the finished wall. So far I'm thinking : drill 2 five inch holes to accommodate the mp60's. They are 4 inches across. 1 hole behind the tank for cord routing. Trying to come up with a hole saw with a removable guide bit. Don't think I can even fit sheet metal between the tank and the wall. Maybe. My acrylic is 1 and 1/4 inches, but has 1/4 inch blue overflow background on all back walls of the L shape tank. On the ends of the L, no 1/4 " blue background, and the best spots for power heads flow wise. Considered trying to thin the acrylic to accommodate the mp60's, and thought about a box in the overflow to isolate the dry side. All daunting possibilities. Tried the mp60's on the accessible 1.25" panel with modified spacers, and surprisingly they are rock solid. I just don't think I can push my luck with 1.5 inch panel. Thought I'd plug the holes with black or brown plastic hole covers in the shelving unit and then cover with books.

 

[bobman]

I would use a hole saw on the bookshelf but once you get into the wall you will have to go through the other side by hand. Running a hole saw to go all the way through leaves you open to damaging the tank. Sheetrock is not hard to carve out with enough patience.

 

[funkyrxman]

So I know this sounds stupid, but carve out with a razor blade exacto knife? Is that what you would use, or something different?

 

[Katrina71]

It isn't stupid. Once you get past the paper cover on sheetrock, it's about like chalk. You can do it with a butter knife or a spoon.

 

[Katrina71]

Sheetrock makes a ton of dust. Cover your tank.

 

[Katrina71]

Are you sure this is sheetrock? It looks like it could be plaster. Plaster cracks and you could have a huge chunk break out. If this is an old house, you could have plaster and wood that looks like a hardwood floor with small gaps in it. The curved corners makes me wonder. You'd do it the same way. Best advice, go slow. Short bursts with your drill. I have worked with both.

 

[Katrina71]

You are going to get a lot of vibration on the wall drilling. If it was my tank, I'd move the tank first. I know. Big pain in the tail. You will be able to drill it out no problem, but I'm concerned about your tank breaking. Just being honest.

 

[funkyrxman]

It is a finished plastered wall pictured. Can't move the tank unfortunately. 450 gallons. Might try the sheet metal thing from above. House is 12 years old

 

[Katrina71]

Gotcha. It looks beautiful. Post pics of your finished product.

 

[Katrina71]

How did it turn out?

 

[funkyrxman]

Still preparing for the job, waiting for some stuff to show up. Thanks for the interest, I'll post pics when it's done. Still keeping an eye on the 2 mp60's on the other 1.25" panel. One of them uncoupled after 2 weeks on full blast, but they seem ok now. The other panel isn't very accessible so I have to make sure the mp60's are solid.

 

[Katrina71]

Please do. I'd like to see.

 

[ReeferBob]

Just a suggestion - get or make a "fake" block of books to cover the access hole you are making.

 

[funkyrxman]

Finally got to this project. Used a hole saw through the wood, plaster and Sheetrock. Used a dremel to get through the plaster on the tank side. My father the handy guy helped me. Looks pretty slick I think. Won't miss cords in the tank. Rock solid so far. Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[funkyrxman]

Whoops. Posted 1 pic twice. Meant to post this one too.