[TheFishGuy]

As some of you may know, I'm a carpenter, have been for 14 yrs. Winter around North East Ohio can be pretty harsh so we tend to slow down a bit in the winter months. So to pass the time I take on side work. This particular project is finishing a customers basement. He knew I was into fish (like everyone does) and said he wanted me to build his 150 into a wall in the basement and build a filter for it. The wall it's going in will divide the "family room" and the room with the pool table in it :thumb: The best part of this project is that they only live ten minutes from me! So far I've 95% of the framing is done in the basement and we got the tank lifted into the hole 8)

Here's me preping the wall to be dead nuts level. The tank will actually be sitting on two walls. The picture was taken from the pool room.

This is the same angle but the wall is complete. It's made out of 2x6, and before you all say it's not going to be strong enough..... consider the crush weight of a single 2x6... Most stands I see on "DIY" sections of forums are WAY over engineered and unnecessary. The wall on this side will be classic style paneling with all sections being either doors or removeable for tank maint.

These views are from the family room side of the basement. This wall is framed 2x4 16" on center (oc.) This wall will be cereamic tile :thumb:

The filter will be under the 150. He's got a 40 breeder but I may want to go larger. So I might build a box for the sump.

I'll also need to make a DIY overflow, you know those ones that don't lose siphon during a power outage. This is where I'll need your expert opinions on how to make the least intrusive, most eye appealing diy overflow. So bring on the ideas, we've got plenty of time as the ywould like the basement to be finished before anything "fish related" happens.

The great thing is I'll be able to seed his tank and filter and possibly give him a few fish to get it started :thumb:

Thoughts, comments, opinions allways appreciated!

TFG

 

[iceblue]

As some of you may know, I'm a carpenter,

Here's me preping the wall to be dead nuts level.

:lol: I love carpenter speak. I'll bet it's not even off a silky red one.

I would love to have time for side jobs like that but here in the desert my company keeps me busy all the time. If I accepted all the side jobs offered, my kids would grow up wondering what I looked like.

Looking good TFG. :thumb:

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

Looks like a very cool project. I am sure it will look amazing when your done.

 

[Ceelo]

You sound like my dad iceblue... and its funny, they live in vegas as well

and fishguy, want to come over my place and help me build a wall as well =P

 

[R-DUB]

Is that wood burning stove going to be moved?? Is it close enough to cause any heat problems? I know growing up my old man would get our stove really cooking in a cold nebraska winter. Just a thought. looks good and good luck :thumb:

 

[TheFishGuy]

I rasied that question about the wood burner to him... he respoonse was... "I hardly ever use the thing"

But, what I think we're going to do is suspend a thermometer in the tank and really get that burner burnin'. It's got an electric blower on the bottom so the heat might be directed away from the tank... We'll see....

Not much is going to happen with this project due to everythin else in the basement getting done first... Lots of tile, a bathroom, built ins... all kinds of neato stuff. But I'll keep you all posted on progress of the tank. I just thought it'd be somehing cool to watch come together.

Any thoughts on the DIY overflow?

 

[Charlutz]

If building a conventional stand with vertical posts spanned 3-4' apart, I would have oriented the rails under the tank so that they stood on end, but with 16" spans, I can't see any problem. The support should be just fine.

As for the overflow, I strongly recommend getting the tank drilled if those short side panels are not tempered glass. Especially since it's already dry. I assume you'll be building a closet or panel to work on the side of the tank, but dealing with tweaking a siphon overflow in a cramped area is more of a hassle than you need. If you can't drill, I'd go with a commercial overflow. The DIYs run about $25 in pvc parts and I prefer the finished look of the commercial boxes inside the tank. They start at about $40 and I think it's worth it for aesthetics.

 

[Walter]

TFG, I would think that the tank should be drilled because that is the most fail safe. Especially if it is for a tank someone is paying for. An overflow box could be disguised in the same manner as a 3d background. If this not feasible, I would incorporate a lift pump to restart the siphon in the event that it is lost from air bubbles or a curious person that doesn't know how to restart it.

Walt

 

[davidhusker]

you might consider a sheet of plexiglass cover on the pool table side for safety sake.

 

[tunerX]

Drill the glass on both ends. Get a length of 12" and 10" diameter PVC and cut them in half to make two overflow baffles for each end. Paint the overflow baffles with Krylon, and notch the top and the middle of the 12" pipe.

It will be similar to this, but the 10 inch allows you to surface skim and get underwater movement as well.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... did=912378

Put the returns over the top so you will only have to make two drain openings.

Also, try to get the guy to cough up dough for a DIY coil denitrator, then you can get experience with them and share your findings with everyone here.

 

[TheFishGuy]

Well, here's the thing.... This dude is like me.. a cheapskate so to speak. He wants the experience of making a diy overflow, which incidently I've come up with a design of sorts... I'm going to make a small one and test it tonite. He also not afraid of diy things, it's just the basement was too big of a project for him to take on. He's also a friend so it's not like I'll never be there to check up on things... Cost is always an issue... Especially when it's something "extra" like a tank in the wall... He used to be big into fish, this is my way of getting him back in the game :thumb:

Also the cheapest overflow box I found locally was $69.99 and he's not going to go for that. How much do you think it would cost to get the side drilled with say a 2 1/2" hole? I'd much rather do that....

Drilling the other end is out of the question, it buts up against that block chimney for the wood burner :? But that's what centered the tank in the wall... Oh well. The best thing about this tank is that it's 13 yrs old and the glass is THICK! I mentioned we should tear it apart and make a bigger one, but his wife said no :lol: He was actually considering it until I gave him the cost to make it, my labor and materials :lol: I might make a phone call to a glass shop tomorrow to get a quote. Do think they'd come out to do it? It'd probably be cheaper to take it to them though.... Hmmnnn

I like the idea of the plexi on the pool table side. Funny thing is they're putting a 12 lite glass door for the entrance to the pool room :lol: I hope I never break there :lol:

Thanks guys for the suggestions, I'm off to make this diy overflow for the heck of it... you know since I hate spending time in the fish room :lol:

 

[P & B Customs]

I'll kee my eye on this one...

nice work so far Fish Guy, nice to see someone else with a thing for tanks like me

Depends on your area on what the cost of materials and manufacturers are, i get glass, and acrylic for a decent price, and come out most times fabricating it myself, but when it comes to small glass tanks, like custom 30's 25's sometimes it's cheaper to call my guy...lol

up to you, if you're a carpenter, knock yourself out..

i really like the frame work, i could definitely give you a job if you were close!

 

[Walter]

Whether you get it drilled or do the DIY overflow, I would suggest an overflow box. Much easier to integrate into the design without looking like equipment in the tank.

Walt

 

[TheFishGuy]

I think I might be able to figure out a way to hide a pvc overflow with some tricky decor....

 

[thetim6]

What about making a concrete background, but not on the back, make it on one the sides. And then have a rock pile on that side of the tank, and have the overflow completely hidden from view.

That's going to look sweet, I would say post pics when it's done but I know you will : )

 

[TheFishGuy]

I personally have never done a concrete background.... I'm afraid :lol:

 

[gatohoser]

Tagging along for another beautiful TFG project :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[TheFishGuy]

I hope the customer likes my plans... here's what I'd like the finished wall to look like from the pool room:

The panels above will be hinged for feeding and such, the panels below will be removeable for maint. on the sump...

 

[bell]

I personally have never done a concrete background.... I'm afraid :lol:

i'm telling you man.......styro and drylok with charcoal colored concrete additive....forget concrete

 

[TheFishGuy]

Hmnnn.. interesting.... You'll also have to explain to me how you made your overflow bell, I didn't quite get it.... And did you move?