Evolution of a tank in the wall - Aquarium Advice

odessadude · 08-07-2006, 03:57 PM

While growing up, I always admired a good aquarium. We had a 10 gallon tank at our house when I was young and I guess that is where it started.

Through the years I have had many tanks, but this one by far is my favorite. All it took was a spare place in the house to put it, a little cash (less then $1,000.00) and my mind full of ideas. The following pictures shows over a two year period, how the dream came true.

I have many other tanks for breeding and will share them with the board. Although new to this board, I have been in this hobby full time for about 20 years.

My best advise to people just discovering the hobby is to buy books and research before you listen to the sales clerk at your local fish store. In all of my reading, I feel the Germans have the best knowledge of this hobby.

Thebluyak · 08-07-2006, 04:11 PM

wow that is way to cool, love the table too!

Lonewolfblue · 08-07-2006, 04:28 PM

That is awsome.....

Jchillin · 08-07-2006, 04:57 PM

Sweet! Brings new meaning to the term "Fish Bar". Since you mentioned it, did the final price include the bar?

In the meantime, let's share some of the details shall we?

czcz · 08-07-2006, 05:58 PM

very nice

odessadude · 08-07-2006, 06:03 PM

I actually got the glass for free. There is a local glass shop that throws away all kinds of glass. This particular piece was for a store front and the guy who ordered it gave the shop the wrong info. They were already paid, so it was out the door. It is 117" by 27" and 1/2" thick tempered. It was a job putting it on the stand. I never knew glass would bow as much as it does.

The wood in the bar is all Poplar. The legs were intended for stairway supports and I just cut them down to size. Other then that the beer coasters were collected through the years. I may have about $150.00 in the bar, plus my time and labor.

The tank is a 135 gallon Oceanic with over flows packed with bio-balls. There is 75 gallon sump below with a submersible Eheim filter. I also run a magnum 350 for extra filtration.

The light was another throw away. It was an old sign we had at the shop promoting a product. I stripped the ballast, lamp holders and lamps out and made my own box. They are VHO lights.

I still lack a ceiling, but will go with a tounge and groove pine 8". My only hold up is to get the a/c ducted in this room. I do have a large and quite electric vent over the bar, that pulls the a/c from the back room. It stays around 76 degrees in the Summer.

I am looking for a reasonally priced 125-150 gallon tank to put on the stand that came with this tank. Anyone in the Atlanta area have one for sale?

**QTOFFER** · 08-07-2006, 06:15 PM

That's one sweet room!

Did you do all the framing and the hardwood flooring yourself? It looks great!

odessadude · 08-07-2006, 06:25 PM

My son helped me with the stand and frame. My wife helped me with the hardwood floor, after I layed down the subfloor. I did all of sheetrock and it was the first time I ever did any sheet rock. I also did the electrical and plumbing myself.

It would have cost me about 10 grand so I decided to read a few books and do it myself.

verucaproduce · 08-07-2006, 06:42 PM

What does the other side of the tank look like?

chantale101 · 08-07-2006, 06:47 PM

SWEET TANK!! Love the bar too!! GREAT JOB!!

08-07-2006, 03:57 PM	#1
odessadude Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Athens Georgia Posts: 133 Images: 4	Evolution of a tank in the wall While growing up, I always admired a good aquarium. We had a 10 gallon tank at our house when I was young and I guess that is where it started. Through the years I have had many tanks, but this one by far is my favorite. All it took was a spare place in the house to put it, a little cash (less then $1,000.00) and my mind full of ideas. The following pictures shows over a two year period, how the dream came true. I have many other tanks for breeding and will share them with the board. Although new to this board, I have been in this hobby full time for about 20 years. My best advise to people just discovering the hobby is to buy books and research before you listen to the sales clerk at your local fish store. In all of my reading, I feel the Germans have the best knowledge of this hobby.

08-07-2006, 04:28 PM	#3
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	That is awsome..... __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

08-07-2006, 04:57 PM	#4
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	Sweet! Brings new meaning to the term "Fish Bar". Since you mentioned it, did the final price include the bar? In the meantime, let's share some of the details shall we? __________________ _________________________________

08-07-2006, 06:42 PM	#9
verucaproduce Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 508 Images: 7	What does the other side of the tank look like? __________________

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-07-2006, 04:11 PM	#2
Thebluyak Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: where the wild things are (NC) Posts: 378	wow that is way to cool, love the table too!

08-07-2006, 06:03 PM	#6
odessadude Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Athens Georgia Posts: 133 Images: 4	I actually got the glass for free. There is a local glass shop that throws away all kinds of glass. This particular piece was for a store front and the guy who ordered it gave the shop the wrong info. They were already paid, so it was out the door. It is 117" by 27" and 1/2" thick tempered. It was a job putting it on the stand. I never knew glass would bow as much as it does. The wood in the bar is all Poplar. The legs were intended for stairway supports and I just cut them down to size. Other then that the beer coasters were collected through the years. I may have about $150.00 in the bar, plus my time and labor. The tank is a 135 gallon Oceanic with over flows packed with bio-balls. There is 75 gallon sump below with a submersible Eheim filter. I also run a magnum 350 for extra filtration. The light was another throw away. It was an old sign we had at the shop promoting a product. I stripped the ballast, lamp holders and lamps out and made my own box. They are VHO lights. I still lack a ceiling, but will go with a tounge and groove pine 8". My only hold up is to get the a/c ducted in this room. I do have a large and quite electric vent over the bar, that pulls the a/c from the back room. It stays around 76 degrees in the Summer. I am looking for a reasonally priced 125-150 gallon tank to put on the stand that came with this tank. Anyone in the Atlanta area have one for sale?

08-07-2006, 06:15 PM	#7
QTOFFER Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kew Gardens, NY Posts: 3,701 Images: 30	That's one sweet room! Did you do all the framing and the hardwood flooring yourself? It looks great!

08-07-2006, 06:25 PM	#8
odessadude Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Athens Georgia Posts: 133 Images: 4	My son helped me with the stand and frame. My wife helped me with the hardwood floor, after I layed down the subfloor. I did all of sheetrock and it was the first time I ever did any sheet rock. I also did the electrical and plumbing myself. It would have cost me about 10 grand so I decided to read a few books and do it myself.

08-07-2006, 06:47 PM	#10
chantale101 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: California, Bay Area Posts: 77 Images: 7	SWEET TANK!! Love the bar too!! GREAT JOB!!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
in wall tank	need_havoc	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	5	05-16-2007 09:42 AM
Evolution of a Ugly Tank UPDATE 4-3-07	JDogg	Planted Aquascaping	30	04-19-2007 01:22 AM
evolution of a 10 gal.	scalesojustice	Planted Aquascaping	5	04-14-2007 10:01 PM
Evolution?	dralarms	The Lounge	73	02-27-2005 10:59 PM