Drop-off tank questions

T

Terryz_

New member
Hi all, I am not sure if I have asked this before. But I am thinking of doing a drop off tank. I have searched for any existing information on setup of such a tank, I found a few but there is no end result to the thread on the tank, so cant really tell if the tank is suitable for long term usage and what is the critical points that I should take note of.

There is some doubts that I have,
1) Is there a formula or ratio that the drop off must have so that there will not be any potential problem?
2) I heard that the supporting beam must be metal as it will provide more support for the tank as the pressure is different from normal tank?
3) Will it be any problem if I drill a hole in the drop off glass?

Hope there will be some experts to enlighten me on this.
 
What kind of display volume are you considering?

A lot would depend on how big you're going..
 
I have not decided on the dimension, but it would be a relatively large one... I will try to draw one but it is difficult..
 
This is the initial thought.. Might be a bit smaller due to cost and feasibility..

Drop_Off_Tank.jpg
 
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I can't see the pic.

From what I understand, the larger it is, the more careful you have to be. Especially where the dropoff connects to the shallower area. The vertex of the 'L' shape so to say.

I assume you have already searched for Grosjean's tank, where essentially, two tanks are glued.

For reference, my tank holds about 50 gallons, and has been running for over a year.
 
Fixed the pic.. Yup, Saw Grosjean's tank a long time ago. Just didnt have enough information to go forward so ended up with a 3x3x2 Azoox tank.. I didnt know that it is two tank being glued together although I saw that is what some do for their existing tank.. I saw your tank, but I think my tank the drop off will be longer and taller..
 
Lol, I agree.... All my tanks are glass...

Honestly, from experience, all I recommend...

Go 50/50 lengthwise, 50 dropoff, 50 shallow. Makes scaping easier. Should also be quite stable.

Make sure you support the tank with Thermocol or something like that, in case of any deviations.

Make as thick glass as possible.

I think a 100 gal would be great... Not too much trouble. Can keep 2 feet or more wide, 2 feet height in drop area, 1 foot in shallow. Length 4 feet. Sounds good to me :)
 
oops sorry, just saw your pic correctly..

I believe that the thicker glass would be able to resist any differences in levels better.

From your design, it seems that there'd be more weight on the drop off area. Should work.

Also, my tank builder attached braces, running across the width on the L vertex, on the inside of the tank. Not sure if that helped or not.
 
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Bello said:
Lol, I agree.... All my tanks are glass...

Honestly, from experience, all I recommend...

Go 50/50 lengthwise, 50 dropoff, 50 shallow. Makes scaping easier. Should also be quite stable.

Make sure you support the tank with Thermocol or something like that, in case of any deviations.

Make as thick glass as possible.

I think a 100 gal would be great... Not too much trouble. Can keep 2 feet or more wide, 2 feet height in drop area, 1 foot in shallow. Length 4 feet. Sounds good to me :)
Click to expand...
This did cross my mind when I was deciding the space I should give the shallow and drop off, 1ft would be too shallow for me.. Would go for 1.5ft for shallow, and 2ft for the drop off, length wise maybe 2ft each, and a 3ft width... But I would give the 1ft shallow some thoughts.
You mean Styrofoam sheets? I always do have these under my tanks.
I wouldn't need to go for metal stand or some sort? Normal cabinet wood is fine?
 
Bello said:
oops sorry, just saw your pic correctly..

I believe that the thicker glass would be able to resist any differences in levels better.

From your design, it seems that there'd be more weight on the drop off area. Should work.

Also, my tank builder attached braces, running across the width on the L vertex, on the inside of the tank. Not sure if that helped or not.
Click to expand...

Yup, that was the idea, I thought if the drop off area have more volume, would the pressure on the L vertex be lesser? And make it more stable? Maybe I will do it as added security..

Thanks so much for the information and advice.. Knew would be able to get some help here.

Hope to hear from more before I start planning. Still got a few months to go before I decide and change.
 
From what I've seen, the tank rests primarily on the ends of the stand. If you look at this pic
hdr_00026_dark_zps61d2e89f.jpg


You'll notice that a part of the bottom is not even supported.

To be honest, I think we over think this :). As long as both bases are supported well and the L vertex is at a perfect 90 deg angle, think we'll be ok. Styrofoam is a must. I tried my first attempt without the styrofoam, didn't work. Cracked in 48 hours.

Wood cabinet is also fine, at least that's what I've done. Wish I had pics when it was under construction, but nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual.

If it makes you feel more confident, my tank builder is definitely no genius :). Still it works out.

An Azoox drop off would look fantastic, and I look forward to seeing the build. Good luck!
 
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