Karim's 1500gal dream reef

[jccaclimber]

Here is a good starting point. It looks like most of these are viewing windows vs. full walls, but there are probably good ideas in here:
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/compilation-of-diy-plywood-tanks-load-warning.288821/

 

[karimwassef]

I have a plywood/acrylics window sump so I get that.

But this is different. It's a wooden tub topped with an all glass wall tank. Windows are easy in comparison.

 

[jccaclimber]

There has to be a plywood floor glass walls thread out there somewhere.
That or PVC. Those guys use a metal brace or slot milled in the PVC for retention. I'm not sure what they are using for adhesive though.

 

[karimwassef]

As long as the glass is pushing out against a plywood frame, the water pressure and silicone will form a seal. This is the same as plywood with glass windows.

The groove/lip/frame provide structural support. Pressure/glass/silicone provide the seal.

 

[jccaclimber]

Isn't the glass still pushing out in this case? Does silicone bond to the epoxy you will be using to waterproof the wood?

 

[karimwassef]

It's not a strong bond- no. Silicone is only an adhesive to glass.

Goop sticks to both but I don't think it's necessary. Mixing silicone and Goop is untested.

Water at 30" will cause the glass to push out enough to effect a seal. It doesn't need much - just an inch or two should be enough silicone in compression to seal.

 

[jccaclimber]

I'm picturing something like this. Wood is brown, glass is blue, silicone is red. The lip on the inside is just there in case someone gives it a good hit empty, but it should make assembly a bit easier as well. You could chamfer the edges to make it look a bit nicer.

 

[karimwassef]

that's what I have now. It's just that the bottom is the floor too.


<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/3_zpshoe3f0tn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/3_zpshoe3f0tn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3_zpshoe3f0tn.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/1_zpsdi3hqix5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/1_zpsdi3hqix5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1_zpsdi3hqix5.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/2_zpssmymehzn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/2_zpssmymehzn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2_zpssmymehzn.jpg"/></a>

 

[jccaclimber]

More like this. Green triangle is an optional occasional support rib.

 

[karimwassef]

I would also lose the eurobrace of the glass wall bottoms against the epoxy floor.

Those are the purple sections in the sketchup

 

[jccaclimber]

You could widen the wall the pane is sitting on enough for the euro brace to still exist if you wanted. It would take out a couple inches around the edge, but would still give you depth in the center. In theory (we can debate practice), you should be able to design a wooden system that carries the load without the eurobrace. Since you aren't relying heavily on the silicone to bond to the wood, what is it gaining you with the eurobrace?

 

[karimwassef]

Peace of mind...

I just want multiple forms of support given the scale of this tank.

 

[karimwassef]

I've been having nightmares of the tank splitting at the seams like a box openings up... with the bottom still firmly supported to the walls...

Makes me rethink the concept of a 1.5" stainless steel brace at the top all around. There's 1.5" of eurobrace thickness anyway, so I'm not losing any view.

 

[Darthv247]

Don't forget he will be using a surge system. They add significant wear on aquariums. more support the better for longevity.

 

[karimwassef]

this is a little off topic, but it's inspiring

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HRAVxCi6h_I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Rene Obergfell]

Looojs amazing

 

[jccaclimber]

That's impressive, and oddly exactly how I expected. Cribbing, machinery skates, and a fork truck. That was exactly how they brought in the air compressor (200 hp) where I work last month, except better orchestrated.

 

[Darthv247]

Wonder how that tank turned out. I still like your planned tank way better. The height was not planned well on the shark tank. The viewing height of yours is perfect.

 

[karimwassef]

thanks.
I'm still working on mine. Got feedback from Tom at GlassCages that the glass cuts are impossible when the aspect ratio is extreme (105" x 1.5")... so I'm retooling.

 

[jccaclimber]

Wouldn't look as nice, but if you are still double layering you could alternate the seam locations lengthwise.