What to do with the in-wall wall

[Sharkey18]

So it's time to figure out what to do on this wall.

 

First, I need some moulding around the tank. It needs to hide the black trim on the bottom and the sides where the tank almost meets the wall.

 

Second I am thinking of doing some sort of cool rock tile on the wall, but am concerned that it will detract from the tank.

 

Ideas? Pics?

 

Forgive the mess... still unpacking!

 

 

 

[MBVette]

Start by running the wires for the tv in the wall.

[smallreef]

Id just use some quarter round on the inside of the trim you already have there...as far as tile....id only do up to the bottom edge of the trim...maybe some slate or pebble tile?

[AlanM]

Is the back of the couch up against the wall beneath the tank or is there space? Maybe put a nice shallow table or desk beneath the wall opening with a chair by it and some pictures on the wall around the opening. Is there any way that the tank would fit in that opening like could you pull it out 4 inches so the glass was nearly flush with the wall and then put the quarterround that smallreef suggests on the front of the trim rather than the back to hide the frame on the bottom?

[tpallas]

Turn it into a bar!!!!

[rangerD275]

Mine is an in wall also. I moved the couch out and got a few club chairs instead. What I found was everyone was climbing all over the couch to see the tank (including me), so I cleared out the front so that I could actually walk up to the tank and see it. As far as molding, just get some wider pieces and glue/ brad nail a strip of 1x on the inside of the molding to fill the gap between the front of the tank and the wall. I can PM you pics if you need a visual.

[Jon Lazar]

I'd cover the back with something black and removable to stop the light from behind the tank and hide the external plumbing. Something like pieces of black acrylic velcroed to the back wall (on the dry side).

 

People are going to want to get close to the tank--I like the idea of replacing the couch with chairs or stools.

[AlanM]

Are the pipes right up against the back of the tank glass? A shadowbox would be very cool instead of black on the back if you have room between the back and the pipes.

 

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868825&highlight=shadowbox

 

If I was doing an in-wall one I'd for sure be putting a shadow box behind it. 8)

[steveoutlaw]

Laura-

I bashed up some left over kitchen floor tile and did a mosaic. I don't think it detracts from the tank, rather enhances the look.

 

Here's a pic of it in progress.......a bad pic, but you get the idea. I'm going to finish up the wall this weekend so I can post some more pics.

 

Oh, and +1 for the bar idea. That's what is going to go in front of mine.

[rangerD275]

I'd cover the back with something black and removable to stop the light from behind the tank and hide the external plumbing. Something like pieces of black acrylic velcroed to the back wall (on the dry side).

 

People are going to want to get close to the tank--I like the idea of replacing the couch with chairs or stools.

 

I went to the fabric store and bought a nice piece of black fabric that was big enough the cover the back and sides of the tanks, then I put velcro sticky strips around the edge of the tank and sewed some to the black fabric. Now I can take it off when doing maintenance and put it on when done.

[rangerD275]

Here's mine....just for ideas. I do like the mosaic look also. Hope they help.

 

 

 

Basement

FTS

Side shot of Molding with some ripped strips of MDF behind it to make it flush to the tank

Back (I had cloth all the way around until I realized that you can see through the sides from the front anyway)

Edited November 29, 2012 by rangerD275