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01/26/2019, 05:03 PM | #1 |
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Location: Pompano Beach, Fl
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Anyone with tank building experience here?
I've been out of the hobby for about 10 years. I have the itch again. Was thinking about building my own tank. Looking to be in the 250-280 gallon range. 72" long, 36" high, and 24" deep is the maximum size I have room for. Everything that I can find tells me thickness and how to put it together with bracing the top, etc. My question is what should my bottom panel be so I can drill for overflows as tempered will shatter. Just want to make sure that the bottom will be a strong enough glass. Thanks in advance for any input.
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01/26/2019, 10:49 PM | #2 |
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Dont use tempered glass if you want to drill it..
Non-tempered float glass is what you would use..
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01/27/2019, 08:42 PM | #3 |
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thank you. i just wanted to be sure.
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02/01/2019, 01:50 PM | #4 |
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Buy a tank instead.
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Be nice. Current Tank Info: 180, 125, 75 |
02/02/2019, 10:21 PM | #5 |
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Just thought Rob, but I’d look into doing a bean animal overflow rather than drilling the bottom. Still have to drill but it’s not the bottom and you’ll have a much better designed overflow system. Best of luck in that venture, those are seriously heavy glass panels you’ll be dealing with.
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37x33x18 95g Shallow Reef Current Tank Info: 150 gallon reef |
02/05/2019, 10:08 PM | #6 |
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You can buy that size tank standard.. no need to build it
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02/05/2019, 10:14 PM | #7 |
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02/05/2019, 10:16 PM | #8 | |
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02/06/2019, 10:04 AM | #9 |
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Location: Grand Rapids MI area
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I'd build a plywood tank if I were you. You can still do 2 or 3 panels of glass and much easier to customize the size and such without sinking thousands into glass.
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02/10/2019, 09:23 AM | #10 |
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Location: Venice Island, FL
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I have built a few tanks over the years but none larger than 100g. My advice is don't start out with something as large as you are contemplating. Working with glass that size is not for amateurs.
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John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
02/11/2019, 04:15 PM | #11 |
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you can play w/ these. No guarantees..
http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildTank.asp https://www.easycalculation.com/meas...calculator.php https://www.livingreefs.com/threads/...ulators.21048/ Of course recommended glass thickness w/ a reasonable safety figure (4) is 22.6mm Half way between 3/4 and 1" ... bottom should be 1" https://www.livingreefs.com/attachme...ator-zip.3396/ |
02/11/2019, 11:55 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
I tried to make a 120 fresh tank ages ago with plywood. I gave up on it because I tried to do something to make it waterproof that was unconventional and didn't work out too well. lol Then I decided I went way overboard anyways.
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Come back from the dead. Not sure what I'm doing at this time.. have a 30 Gallon DT and 20 Sump sitting in mothballs. Other interests DYI, 3D printing, Current Tank Info: 30 gal saltwater and 20 gal sump |
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02/12/2019, 01:15 AM | #13 |
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02/14/2019, 08:50 AM | #14 | |
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02/16/2019, 08:33 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
I too am questioning the drilling of the bottom for an overflow. Maybe you dont have room or its not in the design for an external overflow box. In my mind if a bulkhead leak should happen, bottom holes will drain the whole tank. Is it your first time at building a glass tank? Like stated above these panels will be heavy. You will need help. It will also be difficult to get and keep them in position while siliconing the seams. Low iron glass will scratch so be very careful.
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Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening |
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02/17/2019, 08:04 AM | #16 | |
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A drilled bottom should have a overflow box running from the bottom of the tank to the top. If it is made of glass and sealed on the sides and bottom the only water that could leak to the sump is the small amount contained in the sealed box. It is also nice that if a leak should develop in a bulkhead it will drip into the sump. Getting the tank closer to the wall be eliminating the pipes on the back of the dt is also nice. I have had both and really don't have a favorite.
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John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
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