|
10/30/2011, 02:28 PM | #1 |
It's Landshark, aka SNL
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: California
Posts: 359
|
Garf method of glass tank building?
Anybody build a glass tank using the bottom elevated inside the four sides? Sounds like it would make for strong seal around bottom. As tank would be supported by side/back/front panes, would 1/4 inch foam be used under bottom?
Cheers!
__________________
"Live for tomorrow, yesterday is forever gone ..." Current Tank Info: Mixed Reef 66"x24"x22", 20g Sump/refugium 20g In-line Grow Out tank |
10/30/2011, 03:52 PM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 20,772
|
No foam is used in that style of tank, but the bottom edge of the panels needs to be supported evenly and protected. In OEM tanks this is achieved by silicone sealant and plastic trim The combination prevents point loading of the panel edges.
You could use foam for the purpose, but the stand top still has to be pefectly planar and the foam only less than the thickness of the gap between the edge and the bottom pane. That is you don't want the foam to compress at the edges and touch the bottom pane. Please understand that the foam can do nothing to fix an uneven stand, its purpose is to prevent isolated point loading due to a small bump or ridge in the stand top. |
10/30/2011, 08:55 PM | #3 |
It's Landshark, aka SNL
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: California
Posts: 359
|
Interesting, Garf doesn't make mention of that bottom support? Unless he is saying that the doll rods are to stay in place after the build for support?
__________________
"Live for tomorrow, yesterday is forever gone ..." Current Tank Info: Mixed Reef 66"x24"x22", 20g Sump/refugium 20g In-line Grow Out tank |
10/30/2011, 09:02 PM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 20,772
|
Now the dowels are just spacers used during the build...
While there is a lot of wonderful information at GARF, in my opinion there is also a fiar amount of suspect advice. I have not looked at their tank build guidlines in a long time so really can't comment on the quality of the information. |
02/22/2012, 12:49 PM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 313
|
Anybody know of an example of this style aquarium?
Also, with the GARF method of top bracing.....does anyone have pics/examples of that? |
02/22/2012, 03:15 PM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: AWOL
Posts: 12,013
|
The GARF method, uses some practices that could be considered unsafe. Using tape to secure a curing aquarium, is unsound, as even vibrations of the surface the tank is sitting on while curing, can cause a seam failure. Proper clamps need to be used. Also, the choice of silicone used, is extremely critical to the longevity of your tank: longer than one day.
In general, even with eruobraced tanks, the sides need to be thicker than the GARF calculators indicates. (Depends on the height, and to a lesser extent, length. Although the method (raised bottom) is used often, the bottom glass panel cannot be the same thickness as the sides, it must be thicker, and is calculated separate from the calculations for the side, giving a more rigid bottom panel, and a wider bottom seam. The advantage of this construction configuration is that it can be supported the same as a rimmed glass tank, not requiring a full stand top, rather just the frame, and foam should never be used, on these type of tanks. As BA mentioned, GARF is an excellent resource for all things reef, however, there are some issues with some of it.
__________________
"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef |
02/23/2012, 09:20 AM | #7 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 313
|
Quote:
|
|
02/23/2012, 12:04 PM | #8 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,639
|
Quote:
custom/ DIY tanks are generally left to odd shapes and funny sizes...180g tanks are certainly not for beginners, though i dont want to discourage building it yourself, it can just be had a lot easier through a store...and take your saved money to DIY skimmers etc as they are painfully overpriced for the most part...or DIY the rock as it is certainly overpriced too.. that said, bean and uncle have covered the points concerning GARF's tank design... |
|
02/23/2012, 12:15 PM | #9 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: AWOL
Posts: 12,013
|
Quote:
As far as construction configuration, it doesn't matter. Which ever you would be happy with.
__________________
"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef |
|
04/16/2017, 06:20 PM | #10 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 1
|
any examples of the top bracing?
|
04/17/2017, 10:53 AM | #11 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: AWOL
Posts: 12,013
|
Bomb proof. Note the bottom internal "euro" which is required in most cases, with tanks that do not use a thicker bottom panel, or traditional rim. In the case of the "GARF" build configuration (full floated bottom,) a thicker bottom panel is required. A bottom internal "euro" does little to mitigate the deflection of the bottom panel. Factory rimmed tanks, which are full floated (the bottom panel does not rest on the stand top,) use a thicker bottom panel OR a tempered bottom panel to lower the shipping weight.
__________________
"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef |
04/18/2017, 10:41 AM | #12 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 20,772
|
Just going to toss this out there...
Glass Tank building is not black magic. The process and formulas are very basic. The skills are not complex. That said, there is not a chance I would undertake a large DIY glass tank build. There is just way to much that can go wrong, especially without having experience, a mentor, or plenty of trial and error under your belt. You risk property damage and/or physical injury at a fairly high probability as a DIY glass tank builder. Ask Uncle what happens when you make a mistake, even as an experienced tank builder. |
04/18/2017, 09:48 PM | #13 | |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
Quote:
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
|
04/22/2017, 09:37 PM | #14 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Posts: 166
|
Garf method of glass tank building?
Sorry accidentally posted a single letter to and cannot delete my own post............
|
Tags |
tank build |
Thread Tools | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
BUILDING A DREAM....SPS Dominated Tank build | Reef_Noob | SPS Keepers | 1284 | 03/25/2017 05:17 AM |
Ben & Em's First Tank Build - 36 Bow - Feedback Is Appreciated | Ben_n_Em | Reef Discussion | 18 | 07/19/2012 05:22 PM |
azreefgeek 100g Automated In-Wall Tank Build | azreefgeek | Arizona - Fish & Reef Aquarium Group (FRAG) | 32 | 12/25/2011 05:12 PM |
DIY glass tank building methods | mfinn | Do It Yourself | 9 | 06/12/2011 08:54 PM |
BTA/Clown tank build | orthokardia | Nashville Area Reefers | 4 | 04/15/2010 04:42 PM |