New Tank Room Divider Idea

[Phishy25]

We are currently in the process of having plans drawn up to extend our house with a 2 storey 20ft x 11ft extension. Our architect friend has had a good look around and really cannot find anything anyone could complain about. This will extend our one bed into a large two bed and downstairs we will have a 20ft long lounge with our current lounge turned into a dining room.

Well hubby and I were admiring our new tank and decided we already want a bigger one! I then had an idea about building one into the wall which will divide the dining room and the lounge.

As you can see this window will be removed and the lounge will be built behind. As the gap will already be there we thought we could add a nice 5ft tank into the wall. From the lounge you will just see the glass part (so think moving 5ft photo frame ) and the dining room will have access to the tank and possibly a cupboard/or access doors to hold the equipment.

The window measures 5ft9" wide so that will leave me enough space either side to allow for filter pipes/cables extra. The wall is only 1ft deep and ideally I would like the tank 2ft high. So tank dimensions 5x2x1. I also realise I will need to be able to access the actual tank to clean so was going to have a hinged panel above the tank which would be large enough for me to be able to reach in (obviously going to need a ladder )

What does everyone think? Crazy, stupid idea or do you think it will look the dogs danglies
It will be a tropical planted community tank.

Is there any thread on tanks in walls on here?

 

[Jamepsss]

What does everyone think? Crazy, stupid idea or do you think it will look the dogs danglies
It will be a tropical planted community tank.

Is there any thread on tanks in walls on here?

Sounds like a great idea, definately the muts nuts. Tanks in walls when done well look really good and I'm sure I've seen a couple of threads on here where people have done similar.

If it gets the go ahead I hope you'll keep us updated with pics along the way.

 

[Phishy25]

Thanks Jamepsss

I'm hoping it will go ahead. We are aiming for around May time, but obviously all depends on the planning application. I think it will look stunning in the lounge and something to look at while eating my dinner in the dining room! Might even show it off on "Come Dine With Me" haha

Will there be any problems with it only being a foot wide? Obviously I'm not going for any huge fish, but I would like some clown loach. Will this be wide enough?

 

[weezawoo]

Sounds awesome! I would love to have a built in tank! Think it would look awesome!

Just a thought, If you are having access one side for cleaning etc, you could always make the tank a little wider that side for easier access and more space?

 

[juggernuts]

If your going to be getting an extension, then surely there will be new steel struts going length ways to support the new upper level, therefore you may end up having the depth increased a bit as no doubt the current walls will in some way, shape or form are going to be adjusted.

So if 1ft isnt an issue then fair enough but you could probably extend it a little bit, all be it you may loose a little bit of your new rooms, but hey bet it will be worth it!!

Im slightly jealous but would go about it carefully, think about when you need to access one side or the other to clean the glass as unfortunatly, your more than likely to get a touch of algae or something on one side and dont want to find you cant get to that side at all!

I would probably try and find a thread somewhere, all be it on here or some other forum about the best way to go about it, although its mostly trail and error, when building into the main structure of your house, trails are not something you can afford to be doing


Either way best of luck and keep us all updated!!

Paul

 

[Uriel]

This is something i would love to do. As others have said things to concider

1. Access to tank and tank equipment for maintenance. Need to be able to clean both sides of glass.

2. If you want to be able to look through it you really want to hide the pipes/heaters ect on either side . Maybe have the tank go behind the wall an 1" or 2 to help with this if you get what i mean.

3. Moisture. Be careful that the areas above and around the tank are properly sealed you don't want it constantly pushing water vapour inbetween the walls of your house.

4. Drainage and water access. If your going to be pulling part of the house apart to do the extension it may be viable to run water pipes and drainage pipes and maybe hide them behind the false wall with filter ect. This would make Water changes a lot easier but you may not be looking to spend extra on top of extension.

5. Power. Same as with water having access close to the tank and hidden away is invaluable in this sort of project.

As others have said if you go ahead please keep a journal as i would love to see how it goes.

 

[Phishy25]

Thanks for all the advice and info! Of course I will keep you all posted.

One question though, would an acrylic tank be better as I have heard these weigh less and if I have one custom made it would be easier to collect and install. Any other pros and cons to acrylic over glass?

 

[nevad]

hi having done this i would highly recommend you go for it the tank looks good from both sides
i would recomemnd you go slightly wider than the wall as it is dificult to get a good finish trying to do it flush and a picture as i take it thats the effect your trying for sits of a wall slightly add three inch wich will make things a bit easyer for you with cupboards and filters i will put a couple of pics up if you want just reply and ill get them sorted out for you
i will help and advise as best i can if it helps
dave

 

[Phishy25]

Hi Dave,

Yes I would love to see some photos of your tank. I see what you mean that a picture isn't flush against a wall, but wouldn't glass sticking out look a bit odd? How I was going to have mine was have the space in the dining room for the tank to come out another foot so I could add cupboard doors below and an access flap above. Then in the living room you would just see the back of the tank.

I think for strength we will just build the tank into the wall and have it sat on blocks or a steal plyth, but if I go for acrylic the tank itself will be slightly lighter. I will also have to leave a gap down each side for filter tubing etc so will possibly need side access flaps too.

 

[Curiosity101]

Just a thought but are you planning to stay in this house for the forseeable future? Ie. is this likely to be a family home where you will have kids and such (if you're having kids that is)... All I'm thinking is that a 5ft tank wall division thing could be seen as a massive draw back if you wanted to sell it.

I mean obviously anyone who wanted to buy wouldn't have to keep fish... but then they'd just have this random tank in the middle of their wall... they could fill with soil etc and/or fake plants or whatever... but the point is that it's probably something to consider (If you haven't already).

Other than that good luck

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Just a thought but are you planning to stay in this house for the forseeable future? Ie. is this likely to be a family home where you will have kids and such (if you're having kids that is)... All I'm thinking is that a 5ft tank wall division thing could be seen as a massive draw back if you wanted to sell it.

I mean obviously anyone who wanted to buy wouldn't have to keep fish... but then they'd just have this random tank in the middle of their wall... they could fill with soil etc and/or fake plants or whatever... but the point is that it's probably something to consider (If you haven't already).

Other than that good luck

I did wonder that too

 

[GrayScale]

Acrylic would be good since it is lighter and seals better just be careful when installing it, acrylic scratches much easier than glass.

 

[Davo86]

For an in-the-wall tank I would definiely consider a sump, which would remove all of the pipework and heater cables from viewpoint, and if its a custom job there is no reason then why you can't go the whole 5ft 9" which will give the tank a bit more support,

 

[Phishy25]

Yes we are planning to stay in this house long term if the planning is granted. If not then we will have to move at some point as I would like children (may regret saying that) in the future. Like I said it is only a one bed at the moment on quite a large corner plot so we will extend to a two bed the same size as most of the three beds in this estate! Could have a three bed, but I don't want a tiny box room. Plus more chance of having permission granted for a two bed. The building will cost less than moving again as we only have a small mortage at the mo.

I did think about the "hole" if we were to ever sell. It could easily be plastered over in the living room and I could add shelving inside the wall. Of course the new owners might like it anyway. I know I would be chuffed if I viewed a house with one already installed. Although I can see its not everyones taste!

Acrylic would be good since it is lighter and seals better just be careful when installing it, acrylic scratches much easier than glass.

Thanks for the info on the acrylic. I was wondering if it was easy to scratch. Would it be harder to clean then glass?

For an in-the-wall tank I would definiely consider a sump

Def something to consider. Although having never used one would have to do some research. I just thought the external filters maybe easier to maintain, but then again probably more expensive.

 

[Davo86]

Def something to consider. Although having never used one would have to do some research. I just thought the external filters maybe easier to maintain, but then again probably more expensive.

Sumps would be far easier to maintain and also forgot to mention if it is near a water supply a plumber could easily set the sump up so that it completed a water change at the twist of a tap.