Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > Special Interest Group (SIG) Forums > Large Reef Tanks
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Reply
Thread Tools
Unread 01/14/2018, 09:06 AM   #51
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
The bottom is on. Lot of work jacking up and down for each seam. The 1st picture shows the tank on its side ready to be flipped over onto the top for welding. Next shot shows the tank on the top. You cant see the pins but they are pretty thick. I didn't want them to break off when pulled out, I will get a friend to pull them as I weld the whole top seam.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Tank_flip.jpg (27.8 KB, 176 views)
File Type: jpg Tank_top.jpg (102.4 KB, 208 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/14/2018, 10:37 PM   #52
lionfish300
Registered Member
 
lionfish300's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Posts: 795
Nice work shop you have. Tank look great


lionfish300 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/16/2018, 01:27 PM   #53
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
The top is now welded on. Got it flipped up on 1 side. Now time to weld the overflow box onto the back. It looks really big this way.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Tank_top_on.jpg (102.0 KB, 204 views)
File Type: jpg Tank_overflow_box.jpg (30.5 KB, 197 views)

Last edited by lapin; 01/16/2018 at 01:33 PM. Reason: wrong pictures
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/17/2018, 08:59 AM   #54
McPuff
Registered Member
 
McPuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,735
And here I am, proud of a small acrylic/screen top I'm making for a 12" cube tank. :0)


McPuff is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/19/2018, 04:57 PM   #55
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
Quote:
Originally Posted by McPuff View Post
And here I am, proud of a small acrylic/screen top I'm making for a 12" cube tank. :0)
Nothing wrong with those small projects. I need to make 4 of them for my tank openings.
With the help of 6 strong old guys and some breakfast tacos we got the tank in the house.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg 43_Tank_in1.jpg (99.6 KB, 329 views)
File Type: jpg 43_Tank_in2.jpg (101.2 KB, 333 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/19/2018, 05:56 PM   #56
Michael Hoaster
Registered Seaweedist
 
Michael Hoaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 5,807
Beautiful! Nice job! Best of luck with the rest of your build!


__________________
As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance,
our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey

Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018
Michael Hoaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/19/2018, 08:02 PM   #57
lionfish300
Registered Member
 
lionfish300's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Posts: 795
What are you going to do with the 2 sides of the tank that in the fish room paint it? so it would not see thru


lionfish300 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/19/2018, 08:16 PM   #58
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
Quote:
Originally Posted by lionfish300 View Post
What are you going to do with the 2 sides of the tank that in the fish room paint it? so it would not see thru
It will be covered with a black cloth liner attached with velcro. I can cut holes for the MP60's and it can be removed if needed. I'm not sure if I will try to keep the back sides clean or let the Coraline and sponges take over.


lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/20/2018, 09:40 AM   #59
lionfish300
Registered Member
 
lionfish300's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Posts: 795
I love the clean look of the back panel on my but yep it hard to keep it clean


lionfish300 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/20/2018, 11:54 AM   #60
McPuff
Registered Member
 
McPuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,735
Quote:
Originally Posted by lapin View Post
Nothing wrong with those small projects. I need to make 4 of them for my tank openings.
With the help of 6 strong old guys and some breakfast tacos we got the tank in the house.
Agree. It's just fun to make these little projects, especially when it's just out of scrap material.

The tank looks terrific. Color me impressed.


McPuff is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/20/2018, 11:34 PM   #61
blakew
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Sarasota, Fl
Posts: 62
Very cool build. Love watching diy stuff


blakew is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/21/2018, 12:00 AM   #62
plankton
Registered Member
 
plankton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Pleasanton, CA
Posts: 2,676
Congrats on getting The Beast on its landing! Beautiful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


__________________
IM 25G Lagoon
plankton is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/28/2018, 06:09 PM   #63
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
 
muttley000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,926
Very nice build! I like you shop, and your no fear attitude in taking on the project. Looking out for the finished product!


__________________
Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon!

Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!
muttley000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/29/2018, 03:53 PM   #64
GT350pwns
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 600
looking forward to seeing more on this build! looking good!


GT350pwns is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/29/2018, 08:10 PM   #65
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
Quote:
Originally Posted by muttley000 View Post
Very nice build! I like you shop, and your no fear attitude in taking on the project. Looking out for the finished product!
Hahahahahaha ....Plenty of fear but ya got go forward.

Not much new to report, just staring at 3 -100gal rubbermaid troughs full of rock curing. Working on the trim around the windows. Cleaned up a used 55gal I will use as a QT. Will take some pictures of the light hangar Im working on. My first idea did not work out. Did not like the fixed position or the cords.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Lights1.jpg (85.2 KB, 149 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/30/2018, 11:45 AM   #66
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
The old 55 will make a good QT after the TT method is finished. In case anyone likes to look at rock I upped a pic. Going on 3 weeks now and from my tests its ready. Will give it another week to be sure.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg QT_tank.jpg (27.9 KB, 117 views)
File Type: jpg Rock3.jpg (38.8 KB, 144 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/30/2018, 05:25 PM   #67
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
Here is the light rack I made. Will hold the Kessils or any other light I choose. It allows me to slide "T" bolts in the track. I can add more and position lights anywhere along the track. I used 2 faced tape to hold the rack to the ceiling while I screwed it in. Had a nice old futon to sleep oops I mean sit on while working over the tank. Im waiting for some 1/4 inch T bolts to come in the mail. Will use chain and eye nuts to get the lights at the right height.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Lights3.1.jpg (101.9 KB, 163 views)
File Type: jpg Lights3.jpg (30.2 KB, 155 views)
File Type: jpg Lights4.jpg (37.8 KB, 147 views)
File Type: jpg Lights5.jpg (31.8 KB, 157 views)
File Type: jpg Lights6.jpg (22.7 KB, 155 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/03/2018, 02:00 PM   #68
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
I received the "T" bolts in the mail. Hung the lights on chain from the new rack. Unpacked the sea swirls. Need to get the plumbing attached to them. I also need to get some idea of how to mange the wires above the tank.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Lights_fini1.jpg (26.1 KB, 159 views)
File Type: jpg Lights_fini2.jpg (96.8 KB, 146 views)
File Type: jpg Lights_fini3.jpg (35.8 KB, 175 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/05/2018, 03:53 PM   #69
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
Decided that an "X" above the lights will work for cord management. The cords for the sea swirls can be attached to the pipes. The connector is right there. Its low voltage, not much to worry about. Set up the 55 gal as an observation tank. The fish and coral will go in after they have been in TTM QT / Treatment tanks. Will fill it with pods, rotifers and phyto, so the fish and corals can chow down.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Swirls_light_bar.jpg (30.9 KB, 165 views)
File Type: jpg 55gal1.jpg (102.3 KB, 179 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/08/2018, 05:22 PM   #70
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
Went up and got the last bit of acrylic to finish the build. Got home and was putting the buckets together for the rotifers. Fed Ex rang the bell and 2 boxes of "This End Up" "Perishable" . Wooo Hooo Got the roti's and pods. I also got 1 of the fancy kits for growing roti. Gonna try it out. See if that works better than just an air stone and bucket. Here is the Roti set up. The pods will just go in the 55 observation tank. Also cleaned up the brine shrimp hatch cone. Need to get some eggs soon.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg 4B_Pods_roti1.jpg (96.1 KB, 133 views)
File Type: jpg 4B_Pods_roti2.jpg (94.5 KB, 124 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/08/2018, 09:14 PM   #71
BClute
Registered Member
 
BClute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 190
Quote:
Originally Posted by lapin View Post
Went up and got the last bit of acrylic to finish the build. Got home and was putting the buckets together for the rotifers. Fed Ex rang the bell and 2 boxes of "This End Up" "Perishable" . Wooo Hooo Got the roti's and pods. I also got 1 of the fancy kits for growing roti. Gonna try it out. See if that works better than just an air stone and bucket. Here is the Roti set up. The pods will just go in the 55 observation tank. Also cleaned up the brine shrimp hatch cone. Need to get some eggs soon.


Awesome build and like everyone else I'm interested to see the finished product. I commend your DIY skills! I have a question about the acrylic welding. When you have the 1mm separation between each sheets, do you eventually push the 2 sheets together after applying the solvent/"glue" in the gap or does the gap stay there as it becomes one? I'm trying to picture the process of welding 2 huge sheets like the ones you used together. Tia!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


BClute is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/08/2018, 09:37 PM   #72
JaySchulz
Registered Member
 
JaySchulz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: The Woodlands TX
Posts: 440
Awesome diminsions haha pretty dam close to my dimensions. I look forward to following your build.


JaySchulz is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/09/2018, 04:32 AM   #73
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
Quote:
Originally Posted by BClute View Post
Awesome build and like everyone else I'm interested to see the finished product. I commend your DIY skills! I have a question about the acrylic welding. When you have the 1mm separation between each sheets, do you eventually push the 2 sheets together after applying the solvent/"glue" in the gap or does the gap stay there as it becomes one? I'm trying to picture the process of welding 2 huge sheets like the ones you used together. Tia!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I knew I could not make bubble free seams with methylene chloride with pieces that thick. So I used weld-on #40 for everything but the top. Its a 2 part solution you mix. It ends up sort of like honey. You need to get it to flow into the gap. Create a dam on the back side with tape so it does not leak out. It fills in the gap and drys. It will shrink a bit. More so, if you thin it like I did. It dries filling the gap and welding the 2 pieces together. You want to over fill the joints to allow for this. Prevents bubbles on the edge of the seam as it shrinks. It melts the acrylic a bit like #4 or methylene chloride, but not near as much. You want it to stay in the gap and not squish out. To maintain the gap across the long heavy pieces I made little chips the size of pin heads out of a bead of #40 I poured on a teflon sheet. Placed them in between panels every foot or so as needed. The #40 melted them enough so they dont show. They lasted long enough to maintain the gap. #40 sets in about 15 min. You can read the PDF info sheet on the Sci Grip site for more info.


lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/15/2018, 07:22 PM   #74
lapin
Registered Member
 
lapin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
Got milk???


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Sand1.jpg (87.8 KB, 171 views)
File Type: jpg Sand2.jpg (49.8 KB, 229 views)
File Type: jpg Sand3.jpg (35.6 KB, 183 views)
lapin is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 02/16/2018, 06:40 AM   #75
Mknuwet
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 88
Looks great. What’s the stocklist plan?


Mknuwet is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:56 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.