rick rottet
reefkeeper// propagator
if your ship doesnt come in... swim out to it, i always say
220gal Plywood/steel hybrid. Pull up a chair, this will take a while.
- Thread starter AcroSteve
- Start date
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
Good job Steve, I am glad to see you are overcoming the unforseen challenges. this is going to be one impressive tank.
welding looks hard
welding looks hard
AcroSteve
Make my Funk a P-Funk
OUCH!!! have those prices increased much recently? I was thinking it would not be quite that much for low iron.
My tank dims are about 30x72 internal with a water level of about 25"
My glass will be about 72"x27" and 29"x27"
Well, after figuring out a method that works, I got most of the welding done, and fine tuned all of my corners to as close to 90 as I could get. I did this by literally beating the crap out of the metal where it was welded in the corners. This will case the angle to get larger or, open up. This way, most of my welds ended up just shy of 90 degrees. Then I could get them right on the money with some hammer work.
This is what I ended up with.
After getting it back inside where I could check it out, I was going to install the last piece of steel. This is the front corner where the two pieces of glass will meet. Originally, I did not think I wanted anything on the corner. I had thought about adding this piece temporarily for support of the top angle during construction. However, I plan on using 3/4 glass, and the angle will only cover the edges of the glass, and none of the viewing area. So, I am making it permanent.
Anyway, the top and bottom did not line up quite right while keeping the viewing panels square.
That difference is 1/4". So I had to cut the long angle in the front on top and extend it exactly 1/4".
Here is how that worked out. I started with those marks 1-3/4" apart, and welded it so they would be 2" apart.
After just a few more hammer blows, I was ready for my last dry fit. After just a little trimming of the plywood, everything looked good, so I mixed up some epoxy and started the assembly.
I had drilled some 1/2" holes every 6" so I could pour the epoxy into the groove I had cut for the angle iron. I am pretty confident that I filled all the space with either angle or epoxy. The epoxy was thickened with some adhesive additive, that's why it is whitish.
Here is what a side shot of the groove looked like. This is 1-1/2" angle, and I ended up with 2"
I think I am also going to drill some 3/8" holes completely through the bottom and angle. I will then glue in some dowels to positively lock in the angle iron.
I just finished gluing in the top of the back piece, and should get the right side panel in today also.
I guess I should be ordering some fiberglass cloth and more epoxy soon.
My tank dims are about 30x72 internal with a water level of about 25"
My glass will be about 72"x27" and 29"x27"
Well, after figuring out a method that works, I got most of the welding done, and fine tuned all of my corners to as close to 90 as I could get. I did this by literally beating the crap out of the metal where it was welded in the corners. This will case the angle to get larger or, open up. This way, most of my welds ended up just shy of 90 degrees. Then I could get them right on the money with some hammer work.
This is what I ended up with.
After getting it back inside where I could check it out, I was going to install the last piece of steel. This is the front corner where the two pieces of glass will meet. Originally, I did not think I wanted anything on the corner. I had thought about adding this piece temporarily for support of the top angle during construction. However, I plan on using 3/4 glass, and the angle will only cover the edges of the glass, and none of the viewing area. So, I am making it permanent.
Anyway, the top and bottom did not line up quite right while keeping the viewing panels square.
That difference is 1/4". So I had to cut the long angle in the front on top and extend it exactly 1/4".
Here is how that worked out. I started with those marks 1-3/4" apart, and welded it so they would be 2" apart.
After just a few more hammer blows, I was ready for my last dry fit. After just a little trimming of the plywood, everything looked good, so I mixed up some epoxy and started the assembly.
I had drilled some 1/2" holes every 6" so I could pour the epoxy into the groove I had cut for the angle iron. I am pretty confident that I filled all the space with either angle or epoxy. The epoxy was thickened with some adhesive additive, that's why it is whitish.
Here is what a side shot of the groove looked like. This is 1-1/2" angle, and I ended up with 2"
I think I am also going to drill some 3/8" holes completely through the bottom and angle. I will then glue in some dowels to positively lock in the angle iron.
I just finished gluing in the top of the back piece, and should get the right side panel in today also.
I guess I should be ordering some fiberglass cloth and more epoxy soon.
AcroSteve
Make my Funk a P-Funk
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13576249#post13576249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kenzy
Very nice work Steve. Are you going to do any Euro bracing on the top?
Not much more than you see already. The angle will be wrapped on two sides with wood about 3/8 thick.
The construction method, angle and glass thickness alone is probably more than sufficient. The wood is just cosmetic.
sfsuphysics
Active member
Tagging along, I'm in the process of scouting out materials for a tank myself, although going a different direction than you. Anyways, with your tank height and bracing around it you can easily do with 1/2" glass which will bring down the cost per pane significantly.
kcress
New member
I'm surprised you didn't just use flat stock on the top so you don't have that dang angle into the top of the tank. You'd just tie the four corners together with flat stock instead of angle - nothing over the water.
Both will work of course. Just curious why?
Where were you hitting with the hammer to open up the angles? On the corner?
BTW looking good!
Both will work of course. Just curious why?
Where were you hitting with the hammer to open up the angles? On the corner?
BTW looking good!
kcress
New member
I don't think that's true. The net forces want to make the four corners bend directly outward like a peeled banana. The glass wants to bow in a cylindrical manner at the center of the main window.
Using any steel across the tops prevents the banana peeling aspects. The glass bowing in the middle of the display panel would require the corner piece to actually bow inward which is the opposite of what they really want to do.
Heck! Physics doesn't think you need to tie the corner pieces together at all! I'm chicken on that though...
AcroSteve
Make my Funk a P-Funk
Oh boy, now I have to work around your schedule? :lol: Get on day shift for a few weeks and we can get er done.
I will be ordering some supplies this week - two types of glass cloth(37 oz for the interior and 8.2 oz for the exterior), 4 gal of resin with 2 gal of hardener(6 gallons total + some other odds and ends.
Oh yeah, rental fees and consumables get expensive
Those where already paid - in advance.
What happened to the leather? I do have plenty when you need it.
Yea, but the wife still just rolls her eyes.
Something about the things on her honey-do list not being on my list too. :lol: I did plant three trees/bushes for her today and sawed up a bunch of logs that where an eyesore for her. Even stacked it on the woodpile.
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