My 220 Acrylic Build (Going to take some time)

With you trying to get every bit out of that pump as possible I wouldn't add a check valve to it. Drill a couple siphon breaks and leave enough room in the sump for back siphon. I personally would never rely on check valves.
 
So I have been thinking of wet sanding and then polishing the tank. I have been looking at what some ppl have been using for a polish, and they were using Maguire's plastix.... What do you guys think or recommend? I have also seen that Nuvos polish kit.
 
Planefanatic said:
So I have been thinking of wet sanding and then polishing the tank. I have been looking at what some ppl have been using for a polish, and they were using Maguire's plastix.... What do you guys think or recommend? I have also seen that Nuvos polish kit.
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It all really depends on how badly scratched it is, Novus isn't going to help you if the scratches are deep enough that you can feel with your finger nail. Recently I have been using a product by 3M, it's a heavy compound polish designed for car bodywork but before you can use that and again, depending how bad it is you'll need to wet sand from about 800 grit to about 1500-2000 grit depending on the acrylic. It's not easy to do right, if you sit on a spot with a sander you will create a concave on the acrylic and it will show up when full of water like a magnifying glass and you can also cause hazing if you get it too hot. You'll also need a decent sander, you'll need a random orbital sander with a 3/32" orbit diameter or you will cause swirl marks that will be very difficult to remove.

Sorry, that was a bit depressing but it's a tough job and it's one of the down sides to acrylic.
 
The scratches are not too bad. Just wanted to clear it up a bit. The tank isn't that bad. Just slightly hazy, very slight. So I was thinking of wet sanding, but now just buffing it with some acrylic compound.
 
Planefanatic said:
The scratches are not too bad. Just wanted to clear it up a bit. The tank isn't that bad. Just slightly hazy, very slight. So I was thinking of wet sanding, but now just buffing it with some acrylic compound.
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In that case then yes, buffing alone should clear most of that up. I would invest in a buffer and head to a body shop supplier for some compound and just make sure you don't let the acrylic get too hot and you should be fine.
 
I say that every week around this time. Not to threadjack but, the front cover for my pump is here so if you wanna swing by and checkout the tank running by all means.
 
Well it has been awhile since I have posted on my build. So here is an update. I compounded and polished the tank and it looks beautiful! So happy 98% of the imperfections came out. Only spots left are some scratches that would have to be sanded out. Good thing they are not in the main viewing area. Also I have filled the tank for a test run. Solo quiet! Love it. Only thing left is figuring out what lights to use lol. I am definitely using LEDs and t5 combo. Just unsure on what LEDs yet
 
hey how hard was it to polish the acrylic I want to do my 40 gallon what did you use and did you use a orbital sander or buffer
 
snake1 said:
hey how hard was it to polish the acrylic I want to do my 40 gallon what did you use and did you use a orbital sander or buffer
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It wasn't too hard. I used a 7" buffer. Also used 3m's heavy duty rubbing compound. Then I used 3m's cleaner wax and finally used maguiers plastix. Worked very well. Depends on the scratches/what you are taking off the tank. I had to clean mine due to who I bought it from screwed it up really bad. If you sand paper; use a air orbital sander or a really nice sander. You must not skip grits and end with very fine wet sand paper. I suggest use the compound and up and see if you get what you want out of it. If you wanted to see what I did pm me and we can get together and I can show you in person.
 
OK everyone, its been a while since I last posted on my build. Had to put it on hold for a bit. My lady let me spend some money on it, so I am back in action on it again. Have had a few changes made.

1. Sold my Pan World and bought a Jebao dc12000
2. Picked up a Matrix skimmer
3. On order from Reef Supply Usa: 2 Evergrow IT2080's (32" model)
4. Lots of rock acid bathed and cooking in a dark corner of my garage
5. Plumbing has be completed, except for a few tweaks.
6. Cut and buffed the tank with a high speed buffer.

Finally have started taking off the poor paint job that was placed on it, they guy I bought it from didn't even sand it. Just slapped on a TON of Rustoleum flat black. Don't get me wrong, I love black stands, this paint job looks like my roommates (hoohoodilio) son could do a better job. There was soooo much paint on this stand. I couldn't even cut through it with a brand new razor knife. I tried lol. It dulled the blade.

A big thanks to Hoohoodillio and CrazeyEyes for helping me along through this build, I can be very indecisive and they have helped me go through the many ideas I have had for this tank. As well have pretty much designed my plumbing in the tank. Also a big Thank you to all who have been reading my posts in this build thread, and have assisted as well.

A link to Photobucket for pictures for the build. The newest pictures are the first few, and the rest have been posted already. Please enjoy the slide show and give any ideas you may have.
http://s1317.photobucket.com/user/jowalker4/slideshow/220 Build
 
Sounds like your getting close! Good luck on the water and rock. I would love to come see when you get running. The panworld I got from you will be firing up on my new build this weekend.

mike
 
janes_mw said:
Sounds like your getting close! Good luck on the water and rock. I would love to come see when you get running. The panworld I got from you will be firing up on my new build this weekend.
mike
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That is great that you are getting it running this weekend! Your build looks great sooo clean looking. I have a feeling that mine wont look as clean lol.


CrazyEyes said:
Joey if you fill this thing up with tap water and add salt our friendship is over lol.
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As for you sir!!!! I was planning on using the water out of my hot tub! Would be great minus the retarded amounts of chlorine lol. I kid. Probably will be getting a rodi.
 
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Well I have painted the inside of my hood high gloss white, and started the white wash stain. The stain is a bit more white than I wanted but it will be a nice change from all the black and brown stands I have had in the past. Off to Ace Hardware and Lowes for the rest of the plumbing parts. Building my manifold today as well. Pictures will be place on my photobucket tonight.
 
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