!*Out with the Old In with the 600g 10 footer!*

[cmulawka]

Ok I dont know if anyone remembers my last thread

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745861

But this is going to document My Refurbish of my recently purchased 600g 10 ft long 4 feet high and 2 deep acyrlic tank.

 

[cmulawka]

Ok here is some backround the old 540 is long gone. I have been waiting for something to come along and on my recent troll through Craigs List I found a 600g 10 foot tank for sale. I checked it out and found it was preatty scratched and some seam damage but decided to jump in with some help from the people from Reef Central. It came with a acyrlic sump and for $1400 how could I go wrong for a Brand New one Retail is around 10 thousand. I APPRECIATE EVERYONES COMMENTS ON THE LAST THREAD BUT LET KEEP THE SHORT POST UNDER 5 WORDS TO A MINIMUM I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT VERY INFORMATIVE AND HELPFULL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. THANKS COREY.

 

[cmulawka]

I cleaned up the tank as best as I could but still have alot of coralline algae still on. I would like to get it on a stand before I clean it anymore. I would just like to focus on repair right now. There are a couple of deep gouges. But what concerns me most is the couple of white spots in the seam. When I cleaned it I could see water going in the gaps. So I was thinking I could squirt weld on #4 in there with a very small syringe. I also plan to reinforce the seams with quarter round acyrlic for Futher reassurance. 600 gallons is alot of water on the floor.

 

[cmulawka]

There is still some paint residue from it being in someones wall. I used a kent scraper but not really helpfull. Any suggestions or tips on anything ???

 

[MTH]

Those gap/white areas looks like where the tank builder shimmed the acrylic pieces. My tank has the same. At 600 gallons though I would be paranoid as well and try to reinforce every nook and cranny. GL with the build.

 

[cmulawka]

OK I need some help with the stand I have a Freind That is a Welder. I was looking at the a local place that sells square steel tubing. I was thinking of using inch and a half square thats 1/8 think. But dont real know how many uprights or the limit to the height I can go?? I also put the tank on its side and got all the paper that was left over on there. I would say about 90% of the glue is off also thanks to 3ms adhesive remover. But really need help on this stand if anyone is out there!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ben1]

What is the glass ??

 

[reefkeeper16]

i know it is a ten footer my only problem is it is so narrow

 

[massman]

Lay it on its side, make appropriate cutouts from one tall panel. (choose the worst panel) This will become the new top.
Glue the panels it to what is currently the top of the tank, and make that the new back.
Voila! 10x4x2 much easier to scape.

 

[psykobowler]

Lay it on its side, make appropriate cutouts from one tall panel. (choose the worst panel) This will become the new top.
Glue the panels it to what is currently the top of the tank, and make that the new back.
Voila! 10x4x2 much easier to scape.

I agree. It's hard enough getting by 36" high tanks, let alone 48" high. This was probably a fish-only tank. A 10x4x2 tank is a lot more appropriate.

 

[AfricaOffroad]

This tank takes a lot of water, some 1700L, thats around 3500lb of weight.
I would not use inch and 1/2 square bar (40mm). You want to be running at least 60mm tubing , with vertical supports spaced every 2ft (600mm).

This tank has a high centre of gravity(COG), given its 4ft height. Make sure you gusset all corners of the frame. Also, dont make the frame too high (3ft max) as it will accentuate the COG problem.

 

[cmulawka]

Steel is 1 1/2 square 4/16th thick. All welds are beveled and double pass. The corners are all doubled up and the main structure is done I just need to put about 20 gussuets in.

 

[cmulawka]

We layed a tarp over the tank the welded the top and bottom frame together so it would be square and true. Here are some pics of the welds.

 

[itzgtd]

Nice stand. What are you using to clean up the acrylic? I tried novus when I bought my used tank but I'm still not 100% satisfied with the outcome. I tried 400-8000 grit sandpaper as well.

 

[cmulawka]

I plan on sanding down with 1500 wet then using my car buffer to buff the scratches out with some really fine buffing compound made for cars. I am testing it on the bottom first though to make sure it works.

 

[Trademark]

I know a couple of people that wet sanded there scratched tank and buffed it with a car buffer and they were pleased , I think that you are on the right track. How tall is your stand, it looks very well thought out,, what are you going to coat it with?

 

[cmulawka]

The stand is 30 inches tall. i am planning on coating it with truck bed liner.

 

[Typhon]

Nice find. Are you going with fish only tank again?

By the way, where are you in NC?

 

[Paulairduck]

wish I new how to weld, great JOB!!

 

[cmulawka]

Typhon I'm in cornelius you??