OK! Enough chat...Starting a 1000g+ Reef

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12437764#post12437764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sherm71tank
I need more contrast. Is it my monitor?

It's your eyes.

No thanks Hop. Not in this house anyway! :rolleyes:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12437786#post12437786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sherm71tank
Oh, also, your model has too much hair, not broad enough across the shoulders and chest, and the belly is too small.

The belly is fine. It's a fantasy tank right now and if it goes into production, I will adjust the model accordingly.
 
That tank has too much glass. I would suggest smaller viewing panels so you have less coralline to scrape off. ;)
 
Looking good. That tank is going to be a beast to say the least. Carbon fiber aye? sounds like a good way to blow a bundle. Might as well consider kevlar as it will actually be bullet proof then. :D
 
Bart: Not totally sure. I have talked this over with Roger but I am interested in experimenting. I believe with larger boxes and pumps I can de-tune the boxes in a wider range and get more control over the wave action, or lack thereof. I am not really interested in making waves, although I do want the capability to do so. I am more concerned about efficiently moving large amounts of water...

Marc: No doubt. Luke (liveforphysics) has been working me over on building the tank out of low-iron and 316 SS like his, which is still a consideration. I might go with two panels of glass and two of CF, PVC, or black acrylic. No matter what, I still have to scrape it all! :eek2:

Bax & Thiago: Thanks! So strange that a few months ago I couldn't use the program at all. In fact I couldn't use any kind of CAD program and I tried several.

thirschmann: I don't think it will cost too much, but I am running into an issue with the apparent need for autoclaving. That alone would be a deal-killer for CF. And BTW, I would probably blend blue Kevlar and Carbon Fiber. :D

Unfortunately, from what I have learned, I cannot get the true strength of these materials without autoclaving, which means basically to apply pressure and heat in a specialized chamber. And to do so I would have to put the tank in wet. Since the only large enough autoclave I know of is at Boeing, I am skeptical that it will happen.
 
been following your thread for a while now and have gotten lots of good ideas from it. i am planning a 9x5x3 foot tank for the fall of this year. was close to ordering a 9x4x3 footer but am a bit uncomfortable about its long term ability to not pop a seam. i am also considering doing a build with a steel frame since this would take the pressure off of the joints. i was hoping you would get your adhesive figured out before i needed any so i wouldnt have to work it out for myself. i was considering doing a pvc bottom but am not sure about adhering it to the frame and the glass panels. as an aside does anyone remember where the tread is that discussed making a glass tank and talked about a higher grade of silicone? again thanks for all the work youve put into this tread.
 
hmmmm...that's a mouthful! :D

First Iwould look into GE 1200 construction and 795. These seem to be about the best for adhering from what I understand. Check out Luke's (liveforphysics) thread about his 316 SS and Starfire Kiddee pool. He built a really stout tank.

When you get up there in size, you have to consider this very carefully, especially if you have any desire to generate waves. And not just about the seams but also how many cycles the material itself can take.

because you don't live in an earthquake area, you could build the entire tank out of low-iron glass or if an in-wall, a low-iron viewing pane and black acrylic, smoked glass, PVC etc. for the box.

I would also caution you about getting a 3' deep tank. Unles you have worked on one before, I suggest you visit a tank that deep and go about doing some basic chores like handling corals, rocks, etc. The issue with tanks this size is that they really are not large enough to safely get inside and work, and they are just about too large to easily maintain without laying on top (which I did today).

Once you have come to terms with this issue, then you can go ahead and plan your tank. Today I pulled a couple of corals apart laying on a plank while defending myself against a rabid maroon clownfish. I seriously thought about shooting that damn fish. I also, with assistance, vacuum a small section of the sand bed and sucked off some brown algae/diatoms/whateverthehellit was. Yes, I have to get into a bathing suit and crawl across the tank. And yes I need someone there to help and call 911 should I fall into the tank. My foxface is in love with me and my clown has homicidal tendencies...

back to adhering: I have not made up my mind about the tank material so I cannot be of any real help in that regard for a while yet.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12444054#post12444054 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Today I pulled a couple of corals apart laying on a plank while defending myself against a rabid maroon clownfish. I seriously thought about shooting that damn fish.


All the more reason to consider kevlar! :strooper:
 
:lol: no doubt. I have to wonder how my brain got itself around shooting a fish in my tank? She ticks me off to no end. And she's too quick for me to get her with the grabbers. :( I would squeeze her 'till her eyeballs popped out and a wrasse zipped in and ate them.
 
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