barnabus's gimp
New member
haha yeah I hear that, I hate it when the man tries to get me down... thank god I have a prescription.
How not to build a 750/1500 gallon build thread-Khaosinc 3/5/71-8/30/11
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
This is just freaking awesome. Freaking awesome. I'm building a mere wimpy 50 gallon and your tenacity amazes me with this monster tank. Very inspiring, just taking it all with a grain of salt (or several grains, of the lime variety, in a Dos Equis...) and just seeing where it will go!
Hats off to ya partner!
Hats off to ya partner!
barnabus's gimp
New member
If I were to build a tank it would probably be something like this only a lot less professional.
khaosinc
The cyborg reefer
I bought the tank, not built it, and it is 1" acryllic. My old 300 gallon (now the sump) is a eurobraced 1/2" thick 30" tall tank, and I would not go any higher than that if you plan to use the tank long term.
khaosinc
The cyborg reefer
If you can get less organized and less professional than this build... I'm impressed,.
barnabus's gimp
New member
haha yeah I have some pretty gnarly ADD
UltimateWarrior
New member
Khaos, why don't you weld a couple of those 55 gallon drums together and make a tall 110? Are they not strong enough for that kind of height?
acharpenter
New member
Amen!!!!!!!!!!:bounce3::bounce3::bounce3:
Been following this for the last couple months (after spending about 12 hours to read through to get caught up!)!
Thinking this is totally our next weekend trip! Yeah in this economy - sometime in the next year...UGH!
You rock Khaos!!!
http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15279
BigRedSpecial
New member
Khaos, like everyone else mentioned, those tubes are vermitid snails. How big are yours? there are large and small varieties; I've never had the large variety personally, but my understanding is the reproduce slowly, so they aren't a big problem.
The small (approx. 1mm opening) ones, however, reproduce ridiculously fast and nearly took over my tank at one point. they release their lines from time to time and make new ones; this gets troublesome when there are large numbers of them, as the lines collect to form a cobweb in the tank.
Not sure if you'll even notice in a tank this large, but that is the experience of myself and several others in small tanks.
The small (approx. 1mm opening) ones, however, reproduce ridiculously fast and nearly took over my tank at one point. they release their lines from time to time and make new ones; this gets troublesome when there are large numbers of them, as the lines collect to form a cobweb in the tank.
Not sure if you'll even notice in a tank this large, but that is the experience of myself and several others in small tanks.
khaosinc
The cyborg reefer
There must be some sort of magic trick to getting bulkhead seals not to leak. I came home yesterday to another puddle. I've packed all 6 of them with aquamend, but I still have yet another leak. This weekend I'm going to kill the return pump for a while dry out the overflow and seal all of them from the inside as well. Must be some trick I can't comprehend because I've had this problem with every tank I have ever had an overflow on. I'm also trying to get the guts up to drill my old 180 gallon so I can have an entire tank set up as a cryptic zone. But my results so far say I need more practice. I've already sacrificed a 55 to practice.
I did finally start work on the hood. It will be steel framed with wooden cabnet style doors on it as I never want to take it off once I get it up there. I'm building it in 2 parts. Each part will be 5' X 4' and 18" tall. I will paint the inside bright gloss white and it will have the lights 18" off the top of the tank, but I wanted enough room I can crawl in there without taking the hood off.
still needs another coat of paint, and the doors and such. The end piece thats against the wall is a bit of 10 gauge plate I had kicking around. The 2 sections will bolt together and be sitting on 1/2" UHMW to keep the metal off the tank. The top will be open to let air in and eventually covered in lighting. I'll wait and see if I need fans or not.
I did finally start work on the hood. It will be steel framed with wooden cabnet style doors on it as I never want to take it off once I get it up there. I'm building it in 2 parts. Each part will be 5' X 4' and 18" tall. I will paint the inside bright gloss white and it will have the lights 18" off the top of the tank, but I wanted enough room I can crawl in there without taking the hood off.
still needs another coat of paint, and the doors and such. The end piece thats against the wall is a bit of 10 gauge plate I had kicking around. The 2 sections will bolt together and be sitting on 1/2" UHMW to keep the metal off the tank. The top will be open to let air in and eventually covered in lighting. I'll wait and see if I need fans or not.
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oldreefer76
New member
I always use a food grade silicone grease on the gaskets and just hand tighten, never a leak
Khaos, if I remember correctly, most 55's are tempered and won't survive drilling. That might be your problem there.... Just go buy a few pieces of 1/4" or thicker glass to practice on. If you're lucky you might find a glass shop who'll give you some scraps. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Well, well, well.. What a ride. I just spent the better part of this evening reading the thread. I am happy that you are feeling better, and that your lovely mate, Tink, has stuck by your side through the whole ordeal. The love between you two is very dynamic... the stuff that most folks strive for, but few ever find. Many, many blessings to the two of you.
Now, I agree with skirossi... most 55's are tempered. I had never drilled glass until last week, but it really isn't hard at all. Practice on a piece of scrap. Let the bit do the work with steady light pressure on the drill, especially as you are about to break through. Duct tape the bottom of the glass under the bit so the blank doesn't fall out. I used the stream of a garden hose to cool the bit, and wash away the glass dust. And check out www.glass-holes.com for bits, and an instructional video.
As far as leaking bulkheads, I use a very small bead of silicone around the perimeter of the hole inside the tank, striking it smooth after installing the bulkhead handtight plus a little more.. maybe 1/2, 2/3 of a turn more. I have had great luck with this method.
Again, thanks for sharing the build. But more than that, thanks for sharing life. It's the human element that is sorely missing in today's world... this thread indicates that there are a lot of great people left with big hearts... and we have all seen yours! :lolspin: Hang in there!
Now, I agree with skirossi... most 55's are tempered. I had never drilled glass until last week, but it really isn't hard at all. Practice on a piece of scrap. Let the bit do the work with steady light pressure on the drill, especially as you are about to break through. Duct tape the bottom of the glass under the bit so the blank doesn't fall out. I used the stream of a garden hose to cool the bit, and wash away the glass dust. And check out www.glass-holes.com for bits, and an instructional video.
As far as leaking bulkheads, I use a very small bead of silicone around the perimeter of the hole inside the tank, striking it smooth after installing the bulkhead handtight plus a little more.. maybe 1/2, 2/3 of a turn more. I have had great luck with this method.
Again, thanks for sharing the build. But more than that, thanks for sharing life. It's the human element that is sorely missing in today's world... this thread indicates that there are a lot of great people left with big hearts... and we have all seen yours! :lolspin: Hang in there!
khaosinc
The cyborg reefer
The bulkheads are on acrylic of course. I don't know if that makes any difference in the use of silicone. I do have a tendency to over tighten things, but I started at hand tight with these and didn't resort to the channel locks untill later. What gets me is that this thing had water in it 6 months ago and leaks are just now showing up. maybe its the weather. I did drop the level in the overflow by opening up one of my 'emergency' overflows. It takes some of the water awaay from my skimmer, but does seem to help for now.
As for drilling, I was under the impression that only the bottom was tempered. The tank leaked anyway, so it wasn't a big deal when I broke the sides. I was using water, but the bits I have are pretty old, and might not be up to the job anymore. The turtle might just like a 180 gallon tank to hang out it. Overflow boxes always make me nervous, so I might just wait untill I find a deal on an acrylic tank
I didn't get to try my idea for sealing them once and for all, as I got dragged to a halloween party. I did make a fine Jesus is I do say so myself.
As for drilling, I was under the impression that only the bottom was tempered. The tank leaked anyway, so it wasn't a big deal when I broke the sides. I was using water, but the bits I have are pretty old, and might not be up to the job anymore. The turtle might just like a 180 gallon tank to hang out it. Overflow boxes always make me nervous, so I might just wait untill I find a deal on an acrylic tank
I didn't get to try my idea for sealing them once and for all, as I got dragged to a halloween party. I did make a fine Jesus is I do say so myself.
nitro4kthompson
New member
Jesus for Halloween. I guess it makes sense seeing how you practically rose from the dead yourself just a short time ago. Glad you are well enough for a party. Now lets get some more pics of that indoor ocean.
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