In Wall Tank Height?

[dbdavid]

Originally Posted by staceyd72

HI Dave,

I'm in a similar situation, my tank is in the basement and the ceiling above the tank was dropped downed to 7' also. My tank is 38" off the floor, tank height is 28 inches with an opening for access of 10" and an 8" gap to the ceiling.
Like others have said, 40 inches is good, plus is depends on your height also.
My bar stools are adjustable so everyone is pleased

Are you having an opening from the front to access the tank? From the hobbyists that I know who have in-wall's without an access door they really regret it, especially on deep(F-B) tanks.

Is there a build thread yet?

No build thread yet.

I have some engineering to do as there is a telepost right smack in the middle of where the tank is going. I will be talking to a structural engineer this week to see what my options are.


Dave

[dbdavid]

Hey staceyd72,

Do you have a picture of your tank so I can get an idea of how it looks with the 7' ceiling?

Thanks

Dave

[Delphinus]

I went with 40" height because for the same reasons: will be a bar seating area, looks good sitting or standing, and I wanted the extra height under the tank. I originally wanted to use a UFA water tub for a sump, and although I'm not, I'm still glad I went with the height because it gives me *just* enough clearance to run a zeovit plunger reactor in the sump under the stand.

My ceilings are about 7.5' unfinished, so will likely be closer to 7' when finished and yes it does SUCK. I doubt I'll ever build again (house builders are the sux0r!!) but if I did, I'll ask for 9' or 10' ceilings down there. It's not the overall height it's the things like furnace vents that come down. It's been a real challenge trying to get a light frame into the space with appropriate height over the tank.

[Skimmerking]

With mine i have it at sitting height, for my chair and i love it. You are forced to look at it then and not stand there.

[staceyd72]

Hi Dave,

I'll try to get a pic when I get home tonight, I guess the telepost is load bearing right? So it would be a good idea like you said to get a structural engineer in to give you some options.

Originally Posted by Delphinus

My ceilings are about 7.5' unfinished, so will likely be closer to 7' when finished and yes it does SUCK. I doubt I'll ever build again (house builders are the sux0r!!) but if I did, I'll ask for 9' or 10' ceilings down there. It's not the overall height it's the things like furnace vents that come down. It's been a real challenge trying to get a light frame into the space with appropriate height over the tank.

I have the furnace venting unit in front of my tank and it drops the ceiling down to 7'. And above my tank(in fish room) I have another one, which is a cold air return from one room upstairs. This limited me in my light selection, from the bottom of the cold air return to the top of the tank it's 16 inches; little room for light rack and MH- thus T5's.

Ten foot ceilings would be great.

Originally Posted by asmodeus

With mine i have it at sitting height, for my chair and i love it. You are forced to look at it then and not stand there.

My friend did the same to his, it feels a little more 'cozy' when you are sitting on the couch in front of the tank. He built a small ledge in front, for resting and sitting on when viewing and photographing the fish and corals, and also for standing on when doing maintenance.