Building Wall Aquariums
Pick the Location
The decision on where to put your wall aquarium is based on a couple of things. One is aesthetics. You can choose a wall aquarium that is in a solid wall where the fish can only be seen from one side or you can choose a wall aquarium that can be used as a room divider, where the fish will be visible from both sides. The other big consideration is whether the studs that hold up the wall will be strong enough to support a fish tank that can weight as much as 300 pounds. It is a good idea to get a professional opinion and if necessary reinforce the studs to make sure you will not have a messy accident.
Preparing the Wall
Once you have picked your location, cut a hole in the wall slightly larger than the aquarium itself. Reinforce the studs if necessary. Use a level and make absolutely sure that the top, bottom and sides are perfectly straight. The tank must be level all the way around or there will be a spill. The aquarium is going to extend into another room and you will need to construct a support for it in that room. If you intend for the tank to be seen from both sides, you may choose to put a strong table under the tank. If you do not want to have the tank seen, it is a good idea to put it where the back will come out in a closet or storage area where you can build a support that does not have to be fancy.
Installing the Tank
There are several tank kits available on the market that are made just for wall aquariums. They are a good idea for two reasons. First, they cost less than going and buying things separately and second they have all the right equipment. The lights and filters need to be able to be used in the wall. First you will have to line the hole with cushioning material such as polystyrene. You should allow twice the thickness of the insulator when figuring the size of the hole. If it is too small, you can always make it larger. Follow the directions that come with the kit for installing the lights and tank. Once everything is in place, try it out before putting on the finishing touches and introducing the fish. Once you are sure that everything is okay, put in the fish and put molding around to tank to hide the cut edges.
Tags: good idea, wall aquarium, aquarium that, both sides, Building Wall, Building Wall Aquariums, choose wall
