Building the Man Room/Fish Room

[ReeferRob]

Okay guys Im gonna need some major help here on this one. I think the wife is giving the okay to throw one up in our basement.

I've done just about every repair know to man on a house. But I have never framed up walls, or hung a door. Some sheet rock work but not like this.

So I'm looking for every bit of advice you might have, from materials, tips, tricks, and gadgets to boot.

It's gonna be super simple, no demo involved. With exception of ceiling tiles and one pine wall with door. Two walls, completing a utility room.

Im picturing one long bench/table/stand across the long wall, with tables underneath for storage and sumps and things. Opposing wall 'Tool Ville'. Super clean, no wires, no mess's. Controllers, computers, TVs and fridges. I'll have a counter top and a Stainless sink after I do the kitchen to add in the room for coral and fish acclimations and fragging of course with general clean up.

I'll get pictures up here soon to give you and idea.

First major question I have is do you think it can be done in one 8 hour day?????
Frame, sheet rock and electrical only with door.

Stands and inner transformation later.


Tools and Parts List of Items to Get
-Liquid Nails
-Ramset and bullets
-Crap ton of 2x4's
-A door of some type
-Drywall and related items
-Screw driver for drywall
-Outlet boxes for electrical
-Track lighting

Tools and Parts I already Have
-All the standard hand tools
-Frag Tank 48x18x12 x2
-Sump 36x18x20

[Sir Patrick]

Sounds sweet!!

Sounds like its quick and simple, but most projects do...betting it takes far longer than an 8 hour day.

Gonna put some thinkin into it, and try to get some advice for ya.

[Paulo]

I agree with chris. Most project take at least 3 times as long as planned

[Mike]

I thought my build would be some in 2 months and it took 7 (lol - was an entire basement finished around the tank) so I agree plan on it taking longer than you anticipate.

[jimsflies]

Just mudding in drywall is a couple day deal by the time you do a couple coats and wait for it to dry enough to sand/paint.

[tankdude]

Chort is right on, I paid professionals to drywall my basement and the took three days just for mudding and taping. I also did a wall on my own, let me just say it's easier said than done.

[ReeferRob]

I agree with chris. Most project take at least 3 times as long as planned

Isn't that the truth Paulo! I usually bite off more than I can chew on my "one day projects"

The goal isn't really to be 100% completed on the first day. Just to have the brunt of the work done like the framing, electrical, the dry wall hung, taped and one layer of mudd.
The rest would be done here and there over a week or two span at night once the kids are asleep and what not.


let me get this straight... building just one wall, and putting a door in it and drywalling that one wall with a few electrical outlets?? Sure it can be done in 8hrs if you have the materials on hand and a couple people to help that have more experience then you (no offense)... if your including taping and mudding the drywall, the mudder better pretty darn good with his 1st and only coat (since it usually takes a full day or two to dry anyways especially in a typically cooler basement)... but generally no it will take atleast a couple days due to needing several coats of mud and a sanding session or two to get a nice smooth finish.

Personally I would take my time especially being my house, or even a friends house lol Give yourself a few days atleast, so you don't mess anything up, especially with the electrical and the mudding... electrical could be a real shocker or even fire hazard if done incorrectly, and a poor mud job really shows. Thats really the best advice.... take your time.

It will actually be two walls (pictures and measurements to come later today) with one door.

Great advice, definitely don't want to rush it and half arse it in anyway. The goal would be to get most of the dirty work done the first day. The rest to be completed later. Will definitely be looking for help from a professional with the electrical. This is one area that has always made me a bit nervous with children in the home.


Tip for mudding... mix it fairly wet, not runny, but to a nice milkshake/smoothie consistancy (not 90degree consistancy where its already melting either lol). Keep your putty knives wet, start with a smaller knife with the 1st coat and your 2nd/3rd coats use a bigger knife each time. 1st coat can be a little thicker, but your last coat(s) spread it thin and smooth, try not to work it much just wipe it on with a smaller blade and run over it with a slightly bigger wet blade for a nice smooth finish. Other then that measure twice, cut once ;)


Mmmmm, now I need a mildshake!!

You guys think it would be necessary to use all "green board," the moisture resistant stuff for both sides of the wall due to being in the basement?
Or just the inside where the tanks and water vats will be?

Here's a question to those with experience framing. Will I need to hammer drill the basement floor and insert lag bolts, or would it be quicker and easier to buy or rent one of those power nailers that uses a .22 bullet to drive a nail through the base frame board into the basement floor?

[Argent]

buy or rent a ramset - they aren't that expensive and will do what you need to do

and some liquid nail

[ReeferRob]

buy or rent a ramset - they aren't that expensive and will do what you need to do

and some liquid nail

That's the one, too early in the morning for me to remember the name.

[jimsflies]

I used a little gorilla glue to attach the wall to the floor when I framed in a fireplace in the basement of my former house. It worked great.

[stunreefer]

LMK when you're ready... I'll sit back with a brew and cheer you on :D

[The Rugger]

Are you going to paint? That will add time to wall prep as well. I am not sure that green board will be necessary especially if paint with some level of gloss is used. I would also recommend leaving a 1/2 inch between the drywall and the floor. Green board or not any major spills and the drywall will wic up the moisture causing potential damage.

Is your basement finished?

What are you doing for a floor?

Will the room require insulation for heat and/or Noise?

[thefishgirl]

"Crap load of 2x4s" Is that Metric or US Standard measurement? LOL

The key to this taking 8 hours is being prepared. At least you are close to Home Depot & Lowes!

Let me know if you need power tools. I have drills, circular saw, Sawzall, etc. I even have a chainsaw if you need something drastic.
:chainsaw:

I'm with stunreefer.. I want a front row seat with a beer. LOL

[ReeferRob]

LMK when you're ready... I'll sit back with a brew and cheer you on :D

Sounds good, we will need a supervisor thats over the age of 7!


Are you going to paint? That will add time to wall prep as well. I am not sure that green board will be necessary especially if paint with some level of gloss is used. I would also recommend leaving a 1/2 inch between the drywall and the floor. Green board or not any major spills and the drywall will wic up the moisture causing potential damage.

Yes I do plan on painting the inside and out when completed. Thanks for the input on the green board. With a few layers of moistore resistant primer and paint should do just fine like you said.

Great advice on leaving space to the floor!

Is your basement finished?
Yes it is currently finished.


What are you doing for a floor?

Underneath the carpet, it black commercial grade tile. I was hoping it would work just fine. Don't want to dump any money into that aspect of the room.

Will the room require insulation for heat and/or Noise?
Haven't really thought about this aspect of the build. Noise and heat isn't much of an issue now so I think I can skip this task!



"Crap load of 2x4s" Is that Metric or US Standard measurement? LOL
LOL, that is actually the Motown Engineers Standard for Measurment.


The key to this taking 8 hours is being prepared. At least you are close to Home Depot & Lowes!
Hit the nail on the head Becky. I have learned one to many times that not being prepared can make a very stressful project in addition to looking crappy. Definitely want to avoid both.


Let me know if you need power tools. I have drills, circular saw, Sawzall, etc. I even have a chainsaw if you need something drastic.
:chainsaw:

Thanks for the offer, I've got just about every know power tool and hand tool to tackle this job. With exception of a table saw and a Ramset, which I've been wanting for years anyway. This could just be the perfect excuse to buy them!!

I'm with stunreefer.. I want a front row seat with a beer. LOL

[ReeferRob]

Okay here are a few pics to give you an idea. And yes I will need to find a new location for all MY toys!
Directly behind the 'Hulk' is the corner the main wall will start from running parrallel to the foundation wall.
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad286/bluedragon1_2/IMG_0779.jpg
Then another wall coming from just before the middle window to the right of Spidy meeting with the main wall. This will also be the wall where I would like the door to be.
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad286/bluedragon1_2/IMG_0780.jpg
This is the wall that needs to be demod, and a picture of what is behind.
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad286/bluedragon1_2/IMG_0783.jpg
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad286/bluedragon1_2/IMG_0782.jpg

From wall with windows to the corner is 6'9" the length from the corner by Hulk will be 7'.

[The Rugger]

You mentioned a sink. Are you going to Plumb in water and a drain?

[ReeferRob]

You mentioned a sink. Are you going to Plumb in water and a drain?

Being that the "room" will be made part of the utility room it would be quiet easy to do. The drain line however could be a bit more tricky. The other side of the utility room is a bathroom, hopefully someone can give me a hand with that?

I would also like to plumb a drain line for easy water changes.

[Wy Renegade]

Ok Rob, I think we need an update here . . . where are you on this project?

[ReeferRob]

Ok Rob, I think we need an update here . . . where are you on this project?

LOL, the old lady put the kabash on it once she saw this thread. I ended up just expanding and improving my existing corner of the laundry room into this......
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad286/bluedragon1_2/IMG_2209.jpg
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad286/bluedragon1_2/IMG_2213.jpg

I really wish I could have followed through with this for two reasons. One of course to have my own space away from everything and everyone. And two so I could have had a basement sump for the DT, which was the main goal in the first place to provide larger water volume and therefor stability.

There's always the next house!!

[Wy Renegade]

LOL; isn't it funny how they just don't get it? Something about that whole money thing I just don't understand. Larger volume = better stability = more growth and less money spent on corals. How come they just can't see the big picture?

[henry hill]

Okay guys Im gonna need some major help here on this one. I think the wife is giving the okay to throw one up in our basement.

I've done just about every repair know to man on a house. But I have never framed up walls, or hung a door. Some sheet rock work but not like this.

So I'm looking for every bit of advice you might have, from materials, tips, tricks, and gadgets to boot.

It's gonna be super simple, no demo involved. With exception of ceiling tiles and one pine wall with door. Two walls, completing a utility room.

Im picturing one long bench/table/stand across the long wall, with tables underneath for storage and sumps and things. Opposing wall 'Tool Ville'. Super clean, no wires, no mess's. Controllers, computers, TVs and fridges. I'll have a counter top and a Stainless sink after I do the kitchen to add in the room for coral and fish acclimations and fragging of course with general clean up.

I'll get pictures up here soon to give you and idea.

First major question I have is do you think it can be done in one 8 hour day?????
Frame, sheet rock and electrical only with door.

Stands and inner transformation later.


Tools and Parts List of Items to Get
-Liquid Nails
-Ramset and bullets
-Crap ton of 2x4's
-A door of some type
-Drywall and related items
-Screw driver for drywall
-Outlet boxes for electrical
-Track lighting

Tools and Parts I already Have
-All the standard hand tools
-Frag Tank 48x18x12 x2
-Sump 36x18x20

You missed the Bud Light long necks and some asprin!

[jolson10450]

+1 to henry's comment!

wheres the big screen and the mini fridge fill of bud light bottles? then you can consider it a man cave, i see the laptop and tank supplies, you are only missing a few things