Building Big Bertha: 800G
- Thread starter bbrantley
- Start date
AquariumSpecialty
.Registered Member
no problem. most any hardware store will carry the kits. All you need is a hair drying to shrink wrap it.
chainsaw5vent
New member
<a href=showthread.php?
Very impressive!!!!:eek1: :eek2: :celeb1: :thumbsup:
AquariumSpecialty
.Registered Member
I'll bet he's snowed in or traveling.
Manta
New member
Love your set-up Ben, a real inspiration.
A few questions: Was it a no-brainer to go Acrylic, what was your decision based on, logistics eg?
Why did you not go with the full length of the wall, again logistics?
Did you ever consider going with 2 acrylic panes in a fibreglass tub?
atb
Ross & Lara
A few questions: Was it a no-brainer to go Acrylic, what was your decision based on, logistics eg?
Why did you not go with the full length of the wall, again logistics?
Did you ever consider going with 2 acrylic panes in a fibreglass tub?
atb
Ross & Lara
Hi all,
I really am alive, I promise. Slow-going on the tank the last few weeks due to snow, travel (yes, you guessed right Scott!), and my contractor has been on vacation and overloaded with other jobs. I'm still waiting on the final installation of the generator outside before we can sign off on all the permits and complete the formal work effort.
Thank you all for your kind comments.
A few questions were posed:
Was it a no-brainer to go Acrylic, what was your decision based on, logistics eg?
Pretty much. Acrylic was reasonably cost-competitive, I can manage the scratching issues (I think it's actually easier than glass since I can always polish if I get a deep scratch), and it looks better to me. I also just had a bit more knowledge of acrylic than glass and I knew who to order from. It was relatively challenging for six big guys to move the acrylic tank; I can't imagine that a glass version would work unless it were built on-site. Also, I wanted to be able to sit on top of my tank -- I'm not sure if that's realistic with glass.
Why did you not go with the full length of the wall, again logistics?
If you're asking why I didn't come up to the corner, it was because of the engineering constraints of the house (see some of the first discussions in the thread). If you're asking why I didn't go all the way to the edge of the wall in the other direction, it's because it was very expensive to get acrylic bigger than 8 feet. Otherwise I would have gone out farther, indeed. As it turns out, I'm kind of glad I didn't for another reason: it's going to be very cozy in the fish room with plumbing and equipment back there anyway!
Did you ever consider going with 2 acrylic panes in a fibreglass tub?
I didn't, though I'd read about lots of people doing that. It's probably a really cost-effective way, but I wanted to avoid investing my time in something I don't know or understand very well. Particularly when it is the critical water-holding device in the chain, where catastrophe would be, well, catastrophe... it just seemed prudent to buy a known-good. I see no reason why your suggestion wouldn't work, though, except you wouldn't have a way to see into the tank from the fish room side like I do.
I'm kind of stalling right now and this will push the go-live date back a little. I had originally thought March 1 would be the date saltwater and live rock would be in the tank, but I think it's probably going to be closer to early April at this stage. No worries; I have plenty to keep me busy in the meantime. I do look forward to posting some progress, though!
Good things come to those who procrastinate,
Ben
I really am alive, I promise. Slow-going on the tank the last few weeks due to snow, travel (yes, you guessed right Scott!), and my contractor has been on vacation and overloaded with other jobs. I'm still waiting on the final installation of the generator outside before we can sign off on all the permits and complete the formal work effort.
Thank you all for your kind comments.
A few questions were posed:
Was it a no-brainer to go Acrylic, what was your decision based on, logistics eg?
Pretty much. Acrylic was reasonably cost-competitive, I can manage the scratching issues (I think it's actually easier than glass since I can always polish if I get a deep scratch), and it looks better to me. I also just had a bit more knowledge of acrylic than glass and I knew who to order from. It was relatively challenging for six big guys to move the acrylic tank; I can't imagine that a glass version would work unless it were built on-site. Also, I wanted to be able to sit on top of my tank -- I'm not sure if that's realistic with glass.
Why did you not go with the full length of the wall, again logistics?
If you're asking why I didn't come up to the corner, it was because of the engineering constraints of the house (see some of the first discussions in the thread). If you're asking why I didn't go all the way to the edge of the wall in the other direction, it's because it was very expensive to get acrylic bigger than 8 feet. Otherwise I would have gone out farther, indeed. As it turns out, I'm kind of glad I didn't for another reason: it's going to be very cozy in the fish room with plumbing and equipment back there anyway!
Did you ever consider going with 2 acrylic panes in a fibreglass tub?
I didn't, though I'd read about lots of people doing that. It's probably a really cost-effective way, but I wanted to avoid investing my time in something I don't know or understand very well. Particularly when it is the critical water-holding device in the chain, where catastrophe would be, well, catastrophe... it just seemed prudent to buy a known-good. I see no reason why your suggestion wouldn't work, though, except you wouldn't have a way to see into the tank from the fish room side like I do.
I'm kind of stalling right now and this will push the go-live date back a little. I had originally thought March 1 would be the date saltwater and live rock would be in the tank, but I think it's probably going to be closer to early April at this stage. No worries; I have plenty to keep me busy in the meantime. I do look forward to posting some progress, though!
Good things come to those who procrastinate,
Ben
Ben, love to do a project like this and have read this several times and have it in my favorites. I am retiring from active duty about 4 years from now and will build my dream home around a project like this. I hope to learn as you go.
Do you think the fish room is big enough? Not sure if the water change station is planned to be in there or not.
How big will the fuge be?
Is the generator/power setup going to be complete seperate of the house?
That's it for now, I will tag along............wonderful project!
Do you think the fish room is big enough? Not sure if the water change station is planned to be in there or not.
How big will the fuge be?
Is the generator/power setup going to be complete seperate of the house?
That's it for now, I will tag along............wonderful project!
