45g DIY Cube Documentation
- Thread starter Milleme
- Start date
Der_Iron_Chef
New member
Yeah, everything looks great! With external overflows, I've always been bothered by the fact that you can see the joints when you look into the tank. So I've considered in my upcoming cube build, making the whole back piece out of black acrylic. I don't know. It does look good so far....well done.
newreef8584
Member
Why not do a test with window vinyl or something else none permanent?
I think if you cover the entire back of the tank and overflow the seams would be much less visible.
On my next project I too will be using an external overflow as well but will be using all black acrylic to build the back of the tank to avoid the seams as much as possible.
I think if you cover the entire back of the tank and overflow the seams would be much less visible.
On my next project I too will be using an external overflow as well but will be using all black acrylic to build the back of the tank to avoid the seams as much as possible.
Milleme
New member
So do you think if I cover the back of the box it will black out the seams when looking at them? I will probably pick up some of that vinyl to play with before I decide which one I use.
Ya I thought of that but then I would of had to buy a hole new sheet of acrylic.
update
Finished the second coat of polyester to the stand, I will post pics later. Once it dries I will sand it and determine if it needs another coat or not. My return pump should be coming in soon as well so I can start plumbing. The tank should be up and running by the end of the month.
Ya I thought of that but then I would of had to buy a hole new sheet of acrylic.
update
Finished the second coat of polyester to the stand, I will post pics later. Once it dries I will sand it and determine if it needs another coat or not. My return pump should be coming in soon as well so I can start plumbing. The tank should be up and running by the end of the month.
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dogstar74
Premium Member
Try painting the outside of the overflow box with Krylon Fusion Black spray paint. The part that will really light up the joint is the edge of the overflow's pieces. Thus if you make them black, then the one remaining side should also turn black.
I don't think I am making myself too clear, but Paint all the outside edges of the overflow box, even the top edge, and you should not have too much of a problem hiding the joint when looking from the front of the tank.
You could always glue up a small mock up with extra pieces and paint it if you don't want to paint your display tank without knowing for sure.
I think you are a kid with a lot of moxy man, and this is exceptional work for a 16 y/o. Keep up the great work!
I don't think I am making myself too clear, but Paint all the outside edges of the overflow box, even the top edge, and you should not have too much of a problem hiding the joint when looking from the front of the tank.
You could always glue up a small mock up with extra pieces and paint it if you don't want to paint your display tank without knowing for sure.
I think you are a kid with a lot of moxy man, and this is exceptional work for a 16 y/o. Keep up the great work!
surfnvb7
Premium Member
i recently set up a very similar cube tank. my tank is 24x24x20, built out of 3/8" acrylic. there is an external overflow, and i have about 3" of eurobrace around the top.
so far, my only problems with it is that i would redesign the sump to accomodate a stronger return pump, and i'd split the return plumbing to come up to the front 2 corners. i have 2 nanostreams (6025's) in the back two corners, and the flow is strong enough to kick up the sand in the front.....but not too bad when i put enough rock up front.
i was thinking about putting 2 nanostreams (6025's) also in the front, but i dont want them to be an eye sore in the front of the tank. so eventually once i get a new redesigned sump, i'll put in those return lines to the front corners (the nice thing about having eurobracing).
also, my back wall is actually 5/8", and the magnets on the nanostreams are BARELY holding them up.....so its gonna be challenging to find magnets strong enough to hold any sort of frag rack.
my only other problem has been trying to figure out how to clean the inside of the acrylic without scratching it.....sigh. any ideas?
i'll put up a pic in a little while.
so far, my only problems with it is that i would redesign the sump to accomodate a stronger return pump, and i'd split the return plumbing to come up to the front 2 corners. i have 2 nanostreams (6025's) in the back two corners, and the flow is strong enough to kick up the sand in the front.....but not too bad when i put enough rock up front.
i was thinking about putting 2 nanostreams (6025's) also in the front, but i dont want them to be an eye sore in the front of the tank. so eventually once i get a new redesigned sump, i'll put in those return lines to the front corners (the nice thing about having eurobracing).
also, my back wall is actually 5/8", and the magnets on the nanostreams are BARELY holding them up.....so its gonna be challenging to find magnets strong enough to hold any sort of frag rack.
my only other problem has been trying to figure out how to clean the inside of the acrylic without scratching it.....sigh. any ideas?
i'll put up a pic in a little while.
Kentanner11
New member
why not a super stregnth magna float for acrylic?
Kentanner11
New member
yea i just thought of that, exp if you go near the sand.
Milleme
New member
Dogstar, thanx for the good words! I understand what you were saying. Once I pick up some viynl I will test it on the outside of the box.
Surfnvb7, your tank sounds nice. I haven't decided on the 6025 or the 6045 yet. I will be using one nano stream along with one of Tunze's older model power heads. For scraping the acrylic I was just going to use a credit card fastend to a magnet or something along those lines. I have had sand under the magnet even scrape my glass tank. Btw if you have a tank thread post it here for me..
Sorry I couldnt get a good pic of the stand tonight but will tomarow.
Surfnvb7, your tank sounds nice. I haven't decided on the 6025 or the 6045 yet. I will be using one nano stream along with one of Tunze's older model power heads. For scraping the acrylic I was just going to use a credit card fastend to a magnet or something along those lines. I have had sand under the magnet even scrape my glass tank. Btw if you have a tank thread post it here for me..
Sorry I couldnt get a good pic of the stand tonight but will tomarow.
Kentanner11
New member
/\ very cool rock work!
newreef8584
Member
Save yourself a little money. If you have an old magfloat laying around, cut a small piece of felt and place it between the cleaner side and the acrylic. Clean up the tank and then dispose of the fabric. Local fabric shops sell felt by the yard for very cheap.
But as stated by others be mindful of the sand...
latazyo
New member
Milleme
first of all - it appears that your handiwork is very good
since it appears that you have not filled your tank yet I HIGHLY recommend that you at least fit and build a eurobrace in case you need it
why do I think you'll need it? because here is my 24x18x18 made out of 1/2" cast acrylic
that took about 4 months to develop, I had to drain the tank and put stuff in a holding tank...it was a huge pain in the ***
if you at least build the eurobrace now you will be able to just glue it on in case yours does the same thing mine did and you wont have to drain everything and move everything (including your sandbed)
it was my 24" span that bowed, so I am very concerned about you having 4-24" spans
first of all - it appears that your handiwork is very good
since it appears that you have not filled your tank yet I HIGHLY recommend that you at least fit and build a eurobrace in case you need it
why do I think you'll need it? because here is my 24x18x18 made out of 1/2" cast acrylic
that took about 4 months to develop, I had to drain the tank and put stuff in a holding tank...it was a huge pain in the ***
if you at least build the eurobrace now you will be able to just glue it on in case yours does the same thing mine did and you wont have to drain everything and move everything (including your sandbed)
it was my 24" span that bowed, so I am very concerned about you having 4-24" spans
Milleme
New member
Hey thats a great idea man, thanx! You will probably see me post pics of something similar to what you described down the road, so check back to see your idea in use.
Latazyo, YIKES! Dang bro thanx for the warning I was getting very close to filling the system with water also. One sec, let me go check if I have enough acrylic for a euro brace.....
Okay I got the following size pieces of 1/2" acrylic in my garage
-16x18
-14x16
-5x18
-6x24
So the first option would be to strip the 6x24 piece down the middle. Then use each of those to support two of the four sides. Although this would leave me with the other two sides unbraced.
Second available option would be to cut squares or triangles to use as wedges for support on all four corners. My last option is of course to go to the store and buy acrylic for the eurobrace.
Any one with experience bracing acrylic tanks let me know what option would be the best or if there any better ways of doing so.
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