80 gallon build up

[qwuintus]

ok here are the pics..

getting prepped:

rotobit .. this is the h34r:

overflow box
10" long 8" tall 5" wide

holes for the 1" drains

hole for my sump.. thing cuts like butter

 

[qwuintus]

i was big into piranha and had a massive collection totalling over 35 6" caribe that i planned to toss in a 240. well i had casulties here and there and the location of the tank never was finished. (still not done now and this was about 5 months ago)
i sold my piraya, ternz, reds and the last of my caribe. also traded my 180 and 240 away so im just going simple with the 80.
im still not sure about it because im supposed to be activated to iraq in a few months.. fug it though.. ill do this now so i can enjoy it while i can.

anyway heres my tank.
80 gallon 1/2" thick glass bought used
measurements are 5'x18"x21" approx
diy stand with a pirate/sea theme

i drilled the back of the tank for an external overflow and currently im painting the back black.

other specs:
20 gallon sump
10 gallon fuge
diy skimmer with mj1200 w/ diy needle wheel

lighting will use a diy 250w mh w/ 6500k iwasaki bulb
3 NO 48" lights 10k, atinic 03, 50/50
1-2 NO 24" atinic 03

i have about 50lbs of rock right now
ill probably get 20lbs more of live
and maybe 20-30 of lace rock

ill also be using black sand for the main display and southdown for the fuge. i have a 75w 6500k flood lamp for the fuge as well.

for pumps ill be using a mak4 for the return.

 

[qwuintus]

getting at the 1/2" thick glass..
alll moo sssttt theeee rreee

dishes are done.. time for a beer

close up.. boo ya ka sha!! wicket..

testing 1

testing 2.. no leaks.. but i siliconed to hell anyway again..

taking no chances

heres my diy skimmer monstrostity

 

[qwuintus]

Heres pics of my maxi jet mod

 

[qwuintus]

Current status of the tank...

I cut down the height of my tank, and now Im not sure if my skimmer will fit!! Im kinda ****ed off...

Also here are my drains. Im just of worried about the weight of the pipes just hanging and pulling down on the overflowbox.
Can anyone give me insurance or advice? I tugged on them a bit and they are solid though..

 

[qwuintus]

overflow box cracked, so i siliconed it to hell

 

[Dan Thrash]

i take it you're a big DIY guy huh?! that's cool, i wish i was that handy.

 

[qwuintus]

i take it you're a big DIY guy huh?! that's cool, i wish i was that handy.

I like doing things myself.
I dont prefer to know 100% of the hobby but dont know how to build squat.

If you look at weatherson, platapus, 180gallonreef, and a couple other guys, their tanks and ideas have been inspirations to me.

Anywho, Im also poor

=======

Still leaked on my water test.. so I siliconed to hell AGAIN!!

Im crossing my fingers... I dont mind if it doesnt leak, but its beginning to look REALLY ugly.

Freakin 10g fuge was leaking, i tightened the adapters and CRACK... so I siliconed that ***** to hell!!

I siliconed the pumps intake too.. It was leaking so I changed the rubber gasket... still looked wet so I siliconed it.

Skimmer cup was too big, so I chopped it down.

And heres the plumbing- I hate this plumbing

 

[qwuintus]

Hmmm photobucket is having some probs right now...

 

[JellyTheory]

Very Cool so far!

WTG on the DIY!

-Chris

 

[qwuintus]

Very Cool so far!

WTG on the DIY!

-Chris

Thanks man

 

[viveros1231]

that is bad arse! i wish i had the tools,time and patience to diy on my tank mad props to you bro! keep us posted!

 

[gatohoser]

Dude that is the scariest system i have ever seen. I will pray for your tank and your house. On wooden floors none the less. Yikes....You have a lot of skill in DIY.

 

[MonkeeFish]

should redo the overflow to be safe : )

 

[qwuintus]

I didnt read carefully, so apparrently I need 48 hours to pass until the silicone creates a leakless seal. I only waited 24hours.

 

[spamin76]

Man - you know you use silicone the way most people use duct tape :lol:. You are way more brave than me when it comes to drilling/cutting tanks - I had my 90 drilled by a buddy of my - that was the most stressful time of my life- I was paranoid the tank would crack... it didn't ... but heck - I hate cutting glass.

 

[spamin76]

Pretty sweet handywork though... I'm jealous.

 

[qwuintus]

Man - you know you use silicone the way most people use duct tape :lol:. You are way more brave than me when it comes to drilling/cutting tanks - I had my 90 drilled by a buddy of my - that was the most stressful time of my life- I was paranoid the tank would crack... it didn't ... but heck - I hate cutting glass.

Thanks man.

I took my time with the glueing and holes on the main tank until it cracked. Then I just gave it hell.

The holes on the 20 and 10 gallon sump/fuge were guesstimated.. Well I drew them out with marker, but the water faded it away so they are a bit warped- but you only know that know because I told you The washers cover them up.


And good news guys. I found a local glass shop who cut me a 5x10 piece to replace my bottom for 4.50!! Its 1/4" thick and he sanded the edges so theyre not sharp. Freakin schweet!!!

 

[qwuintus]

Update:

1/4" nice and thick..drilled and sanded edges...
i did the holes myself, the glass was $4.50!!

taped it up to the existing overflow box walls

This is a shot from the back of the tank. I put an extra seam on the outside of the box.

Here are my seams:
1

2

3

 

[scottwatzz]

freakin GREAT job on the DIY!! What kind of drill did you use for cutting?? (a Drimell)?? not spelled rt..Keep the post up...thanx!!