Complete DIY Custom 144x15x15

[daw422]

I have pretty much no knowledge of acrylic tank building, so I have one quick question. What purpose are the shims (shown in your last post) serving? The only thing I could think of is to ensure the tank isn't bowing when you glue the top on. Would the tank even be able to bow a measurable amount under it's own weight?

 

[foofooree]

WOW Awesome build man! I love it!

 

[Jay-sun]

Good progress. Looking real good. Will be watching for more updates. This thread and tank build is great.

Jason

 

[Harry_Fish]

I would like to do a tank this size between my Living and Dining rooms.

Looks great!

 

[FFrankie]

Been tagging along here, awesome job building this tank! It reminds me of a train for some reason~

 

[cdentii1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13123188#post13123188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kcress
I think you should put in a wave box.

Imagine watching the surge moving all the way down that sucka.

A tank that size you would or could get a double or even a triple wave. That would be awesome however alot of undue stress.

 

[leoslizards]

So waves causes stress to your fish?

 

[Kreeger1]

stress on the tank I think he means

 

[DB06]

tagging....nice work !

 

[crvz]

I've put together a few smaller sumps (well, 50 gallons or so), and I struggled getting it all done in time. Am I right in assuming you (and your friend) did the whole base in 90 seconds? Or did you break it into sections, adding the weldon, waiting a bit then shimming, and then moving on?

 

[calvin415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13123582#post13123582 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kcress
The math sez that will be about 180lbs. Watch your back! Get help.

Cool thanks, yeah I'll be getting help.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13123638#post13123638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by daw422
I have pretty much no knowledge of acrylic tank building, so I have one quick question. What purpose are the shims (shown in your last post) serving? The only thing I could think of is to ensure the tank isn't bowing when you glue the top on. Would the tank even be able to bow a measurable amount under it's own weight?

It's tough to find a perfectly level surface that will span 12'... The shims are to lift the bottom piece to keep it snug against the walls of the tank. Acrylic will bow under it's own weight, especially the 144x16 pieces, it can not even be picked up unless you tip it vertically. Until the tank is fully assembled it can't really even support its own weight, at least not this one. As for the walls bowing when assembling the tank, that is a worry... When we attached the top (top goes on before the bottom) we built braces (the exact width of the tank) and clamped them between the walls of the tank to ensure the sides are parallel. Hope that makes sense if not just take a look at the pics of the tank on it's side when I first started to put it together.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13123696#post13123696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by foofooree
WOW Awesome build man! I love it!

Thanks!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13123745#post13123745 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jay-sun
Good progress. Looking real good. Will be watching for more updates. This thread and tank build is great.

Jason

Thanks Jason.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13123769#post13123769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Harry_Fish
I would like to do a tank this size between my Living and Dining rooms.

Looks great!

Go for it! I can't wait for this one to be setup!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13124568#post13124568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FFrankie
Been tagging along here, awesome job building this tank! It reminds me of a train for some reason~

LOL! Thanks!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13125136#post13125136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdentii1
A tank that size you would or could get a double or even a triple wave. That would be awesome however alot of undue stress.

Agree, it would look so cool, but just not needed or worth the risk IMO.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13125225#post13125225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by leoslizards
So waves causes stress to your fish?

No, on the acrylic.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13125286#post13125286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kreeger1
stress on the tank I think he means

Yep.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13125323#post13125323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DB06
tagging....nice work !

Thanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13125595#post13125595 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
I've put together a few smaller sumps (well, 50 gallons or so), and I struggled getting it all done in time. Am I right in assuming you (and your friend) did the whole base in 90 seconds? Or did you break it into sections, adding the weldon, waiting a bit then shimming, and then moving on?

Nope, the entire bottom in 90 seconds. I think you might be getting the steps out of order though... First you pin, then shim (until all the pins are evenly tight), then apply solvent (this step was 90 seconds), then pull the pins starting at the beginning again. You pull the pins over the course of another 90 seconds (to ensure equal soak time for all parts of the tank) and you can adjust any shims that need to be tightened while moving along. To apply the solvent that quickly you need a large gauge needle so the solvent can flow faster, I used 16ga and a 2oz bottle so I made sure I had enough solvent.

 

[daw422]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13126031#post13126031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calvin415
It's tough to find a perfectly level surface that will span 12'... The shims are to lift the bottom piece to keep it snug against the walls of the tank. Acrylic will bow under it's own weight, especially the 144x16 pieces, it can not even be picked up unless you tip it vertically. Until the tank is fully assembled it can't really even support its own weight, at least not this one. As for the walls bowing when assembling the tank, that is a worry... When we attached the top (top goes on before the bottom) we built braces (the exact width of the tank) and clamped them between the walls of the tank to ensure the sides are parallel. Hope that makes sense if not just take a look at the pics of the tank on it's side when I first started to put it together.

Ahh - you were attatching the bottom. I thought you were putting the top on in that picture This makes more sense now, as I thought you were shimming the bottom of the tank to prevent the sides/ends from flexing while you glued the tank. I didn't think the sides would flex along the 15" dimension a measureable amount. Thanks

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13126031#post13126031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calvin415

Nope, the entire bottom in 90 seconds. I think you might be getting the steps out of order though... First you pin, then shim (until all the pins are evenly tight), then apply solvent (this step was 90 seconds), then pull the pins starting at the beginning again. You pull the pins over the course of another 90 seconds (to ensure equal soak time for all parts of the tank) and you can adjust any shims that need to be tightened while moving along. To apply the solvent that quickly you need a large gauge needle so the solvent can flow faster, I used 16ga and a 2oz bottle so I made sure I had enough solvent.

Well, I meant after you apply the solvent. Having to pull the pins and adjust the shims in that little amount of time may cause me to have an anxiety attack. Great setup so far, I'm excited to see the end result!

 

[calvin415]

Oh no, actually pulling the pins is the easy part, the trick is going slow enough to allow for a 90 sec soak time at the end of the run. Shims if done right really don't need much adjustment.

 

[hpglow]

Looks good Eric. Is that solid works you use to model stuff? I'm trying to model the light fixture I'm going to build and illustrator isn't cutting it.

 

[melev]

Less talk, more finishing. chop chop. I wanna see this thing done already.

 

[calvin415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13128009#post13128009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hpglow
Looks good Eric. Is that solid works you use to model stuff? I'm trying to model the light fixture I'm going to build and illustrator isn't cutting it.

Actually it's just Google Sketchup. Really easy to use!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13128025#post13128025 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Less talk, more finishing. chop chop. I wanna see this thing done already.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah... Trust me, I so want this baby done.

 

[jgs107]

what return pump are you going to use as well as flow.also are you building your own sump.i would hope u are after this awesome tank

 

[calvin415]

Thanks, yes the sump will also be custom by me, nothing fancy but effective, two 36x11x16's plumbed together (have to go in pieces to fit due to the supports). The skimmer will also be external so the sump will be 1/4 fuge, 1/4 equipment (carbon/phosban reactors etc...), 1/4 QT (not a true but for acclimation or seperation) and 1/4 return zone. I don't have the return pump yet, but I'm leaning towards the Pan World 50PX-X.

 

[calvin415]

Picked up some Darts today since Reeflo was practically giving them away... They are local for me, so it worked out great! Yes, they sold out in 1 day! What a sale!!!