Building My 375gal Glass Reef

Status
Not open for further replies.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13673021#post13673021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Hi Alan. The bottom of my tank is NOT a floating bottom - where the ends/front/back are glued to the sides of the bottom and extend past the bottom 1/8" to 1/4". The ends/front/back are glued to the sides of the bottom, but they are flush with the "bottom of the bottom". The bottom, therefore, is one flat surface (other than the 1/32" thickness of the frame). The foam prevents hard surface irregularities (metal, wood, etc.) from forming pressure points against the glass. It also tends to compensate, to some extent, for out-of-level situations.
Click to expand...

I don't want to appear pedantic but I am not sure what a "floating bottom" is but I was always under the impression (from replies here on RC) that you only installed foam under a tank with a flat bottom (no frame - either glass or acrylic). Normally with a framed tank, the frame is what supports the tank and not the bottom glass and we are advised to support the tank via the frame, but in your case the the foam complies with the difference between the bottom glass and the frame and adjusts for slightly out-of-level stand. Obviously this works so who am I to challenge this method.
Thanks
 
I love the overflow the way you have it. How high is the gap from the overflow to frame? Will you need to have some sort of guard to keep the curious fish out?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13675753#post13675753 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zmckenzie
I love the overflow the way you have it. How high is the gap from the overflow to frame? Will you need to have some sort of guard to keep the curious fish out?
Click to expand...
Thank you. The gap is 1 1/4". Yes. I'll be using some stiff plastic mesh (like Gutter Guard) on the box side of the overflow.
 
WOW that is a super nice setup.
What do you have planned as far as the return goes? Is it done? Can we see a pic?
 
Wow Tom , Your going light speed . Very clean , and neat plumbing . I am not surprised though , I know how flawless your work is . I think I can see the fish , and corals lining up already .

Ted
 
2_zoa - thanks. I describe the return a little earlier in the thread.

reefrubble - thanks, Ted. Very kind words.

mflamb - Oatey Clear Primer and Weld-On PVC 795
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13676565#post13676565 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
I've never seen clear primer. Where did you get it?
Click to expand...
Got it at savko.com


K5reefer - thanks for the compliments.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13675690#post13675690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
I don't want to appear pedantic but I am not sure what a "floating bottom" is but I was always under the impression (from replies here on RC) that you only installed foam under a tank with a flat bottom (no frame - either glass or acrylic). Normally with a framed tank, the frame is what supports the tank and not the bottom glass and we are advised to support the tank via the frame, but in your case the the foam complies with the difference between the bottom glass and the frame and adjusts for slightly out-of-level stand. Obviously this works so who am I to challenge this method.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I thought I would try to clear this question up to the best of my knowledge. There are three ways to set up a glass tank.

The first and most common way is to suspend the bottom. This is done by bring the glass on all 4 sides a 1/8 inch down past the bottom pane. Thus a floating bottom as glassreef describes it.

The second way is to have the bottom pane of glass rest on the surface with the 4 sides resting on top of the bottom pane. All weight is on the bottom pane of glass. A foam bottom is needed to keep the bottom pane of glass from fracturing.

The other way, which from what I understand is how glassreef has it is the bottom pane of glass rests on the surface just like the other one. However, instead of the 4 side panes resting on top of the bottom pane of glass they surround the bottom pane of glass and are flush with the bottom pane of glass. So all 5 panes of glass are touching the surface. The foam keeps the keep the weight distributed.

I hope this helps a little.
 
Do you know how they attached the acrylic sheet to the back wall? You can't or at least I can't even tell that piece is in there, and looking at the back there is no indication of any glue to adhere the two panels.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13676787#post13676787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2_zoa
Do you know how they attached the acrylic sheet to the back wall? You can't or at least I can't even tell that piece is in there, and looking at the back there is no indication of any glue to adhere the two panels.
Click to expand...
Very thin (almost invisible) beads of silicone. The acrylic is so tight to the glass that water does not flow between the two. They really did a bang up job on my tank. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13677847#post13677847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xfifi
why do not you put 3 ball valves as the BeanAnimal's system on the 3 standpipes ?
Click to expand...
Not really necessary. Bean mentions, early on in his thread, that a valve is really only needed on the siphon pipe. The open channel pipe and backup pipe don't need regulating.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13676742#post13676742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zmckenzie
I thought I would try to clear this question up to the best of my knowledge. There are three ways to set up a glass tank.

The first and most common way is to suspend the bottom. This is done by bring the glass on all 4 sides a 1/8 inch down past the bottom pane. Thus a floating bottom as glassreef describes it.

The second way is to have the bottom pane of glass rest on the surface with the 4 sides resting on top of the bottom pane. All weight is on the bottom pane of glass. A foam bottom is needed to keep the bottom pane of glass from fracturing.

The other way, which from what I understand is how glassreef has it is the bottom pane of glass rests on the surface just like the other one. However, instead of the 4 side panes resting on top of the bottom pane of glass they surround the bottom pane of glass and are flush with the bottom pane of glass. So all 5 panes of glass are touching the surface. The foam keeps the keep the weight distributed.

I hope this helps a little.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification on all glass tank construction. In the pictures I saw a frame surrounding the bottom and top which is why I questioned the foam. An L shaped frame normally goes under the bottom glass and that is what supports the tank. Sorry if I sidetracked the thread
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13676739#post13676739 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Got it at savko.com
Click to expand...

Thats where i got mine.



tanks looking great Tom........
 
Thanks Paul - and thanks so much again for all the help getting the tank moved into the house. You, and all the other guys, did such a great job!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
Looking at building a diy wood tank and stand
Replies
1
Views
318
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
U
New build
Replies
3
Views
307
griss
griss
M
Iam about to build my forever tank. Any advice? I want to migrate my current two ranks
Replies
5
Views
245
Paul B
Paul B
adova
300g DIY Acrylic Tank Recommendations
Replies
5
Views
143
griss
griss
C
Double top Filter
Replies
2
Views
263
griss
griss
Back
Top